A "what should I self study this summer?" thread

[axmls]

I just finished my sophomore year as an electrical engineering major. Now I've got a summer free (well, I work until 4:30), and I'd like to use it to self study something (one or more topics).

So far, I've taken Calculus 1-3 as well as an ordinary differential equations course. I've taken two courses in circuits (one which primarily focused on signals), two courses in digital design, and an introductory mechanics and an introductory E&M physics course.

I was thinking I could study something math-related that would be useful to me down the road. Something like PDEs or Complex Analysis. My second thought was to get a head start on some electromagnetism, but I don't want that to be a waste of time since I'll be taking a course on it anyway.

Any good suggestions as to things that would be helpful for me to learn over the summer? I'm open to things useful to a wide variety of EE areas or related areas of science and math. Emphasis on things important to EE, but perhaps there's something interesting out there that's not particularly helpful, but is still interesting.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

Congrats on a successful school year! Don't forget to study and learn non STEM topics so you are a well rounded human being

 

[axmls]

Congrats on a successful school year! Don't forget to study and learn non STEM topics so you are a well rounded human being

Of course, I always keep a little room for a little history buffing.

 

[symbolipoint]

. My second thought was to get a head start on some electromagnetism, but I don't want that to be a waste of time since I'll be taking a course on it anyway.

Bad way to think. Learn it on your own if possible so that you do better when you enroll in it to study. Use the free time to prepare.

 

[axmls]

Bad way to think. Learn it on your own if possible so that you do better when you enroll in it to study. Use the free time to prepare.

I've already done some slight self study on E&M, but I want to explore several options, since there could be some useful topics I should study that I won't be learning in the classroom, yet would be useful to me regardless.

 

[micromass]

How deeply will you be covering complex analysis and Fourier analysis (they're the same thing basically)? That might be an option?

 

[axmls]

All of our complex and Fourier analysis is learned on the fly. We are not required to take a formal course in complex analysis. These are probably the ones I'm leaning towards most (in addition to reviewing some chemistry, since we aren't required to take a chemistry course). I have a textbook called "Complex Analysis for Scientists and Engineers" at home that I'm thinking about working through.

 

[micromass]

Then perhaps it would be useful to read a book that covers more than just complex analysis, but also Fourier series and other stuff. So a math methods book. This book by Kreyszig is nice, but might be too advanced: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0470458364/?tag=pfamazon01-20 Alternatively, there is also Boas: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0471198269/?tag=pfamazon01-20

 

[ZombieFeynman]

Don't discount the value of review. I suggest spending some time doing new problems from old material. Keep those skills sharp.