Advice for Starting Maths for Astronomy Degree

[NovaeSci]

Hi all,

I wondered if anyone could advise me?

I'm going to be partaking on an Astronomy degree next year and I'm wanted to get a head-start with Maths. I've only studied up to GCSE level; however, it's been a decade since I was at school.

I have K.A.Stroud's Engineering Mathematics and I'm going to work through the Foundation Topics (Arithmetic, Introduction to Algebra, Expressions and Equations, Graphs, Linear Equations, Polynomial Equations, Binomials, Partial Fractions, Trigonometry, Functions, Trigonometric and Exponential Functions, Differentiation and Integration), if people think this is a good choice? If there are any other good options, it'd be greatly appreciated. I'm looking for something with plenty of question, rather than just 10 and then on to the next section and you end up forgetting a few topics down the road.

What I'm most curious about is what to study after I've studied the Foundation Topics - should I carry on with the rest of Engineering Mathematics? The reason I ask is that I don't want to end up wasting time studying branches of maths I may not need and may be better suited of my time studying something else. If anyone has knowledge of Stroud's book?

I did do a bit of research and I see Riley's Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering and Boas's Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences come highly recommended. I took a look at Boas's book, but it says it is suited for someone who already has 1 - 1.5 year of Calculus. So, do people recommend these as the 2 best books to eventually carry on working with, and if so, what textbooks will get me from foundation study and fill in the gaps to be able to start these books?

Of course any substitutions or additional recommendation swill be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your help in advance,

Michael

 

[jedishrfu]

For an undergrad degree the basics are Calculus 1,2,3, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations and Statistics. The next level would be Advanced Calculus, Boundary Value problems and Vector Analysis.

However, for your degree it would be best for you to look at the course syllabus your Astronomy department puts out or better yet talk to your advisor.

Lastly, please be aware that only 1 in 10 Astronomy majors ever work in Astronomy related jobs. INDEED has listed these 21 jobs for Astronomy majors:

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/jobs-for-astronomy-majors

As you can see, many aren't really in Astronomy but take advantage of some courses and skills you picked up along the way.

And here's more salary+other info on Astronomy:

https://www.environmentalscience.org/career/astronomer

And from the AAS:

https://aas.org/careers/career-in-astronomy

 

[jedishrfu]

Math book wise, Arfken and Weber is good although many consider it a graduate level book vs Boas for undergrads. However, its good to have around.

Other ideas might be Khan Academy and Mathispower4u for math course videos from high school to first/second year college ie Calculus 1,2,3 Linear Algebra, Differential Equatiosn and Statistics. Beyond that MIT Opencourseware Online or Coursera courses for more advanced math.