Soph - Well, yes, it is ad hominem...I'm assuming that...If you have taken a graduate course then I would be assuming that...
How about you tell us where micromass was on the mark, and where he was off, and ignoring who or what he is or might be, what *specific* grain of salt we need to take with his comments...
I get somehting out of your comments, i get something out of his comments. I think his opinions, are *opinions* and i like his comments and some of his lists.
I do need to work a lot more to pull out some of the useful stuff out of your posts though. I appreciate your commentary, but I'd rather you show where you agree and disagree with his specific comments.I do think it's quite strange though that someone would take a math degree and then decide to hop for grad school in physics, with anything from next to nothing with physics classes, to the usual amount, to a fair amount... But there is something to be said for getting a degree in Math, and the ability to catching up for 8-15 months...
I still think that most of the babble can be taken away, if you think of the student, and if they're doing good in their classes and how flexible their course selection is. Sometimes it's hard enough to squeak in extra math classes, let alone take physics.
Or there's only enough credits you can pack into a sememster with physics classes that there's no room for the 'hard math classes'.
IF you're taking a double major, or a mathematical physics option [which is the same thing to a significant extent with less complications], it's way easier and much more flexible.
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- I believe the clear distinction should be made of which PhD you intend to pursue.
or where you feel more comfortable, classes taken or not.- If it's math then take more math than physics courses to prepare you for graduate level math courses
which 99% of everyone would know
- If it's physics then you should focus more on physics classes.
no great secret there either- I did my undergrad as a double major in math and physics as well
That would also colour your outlook as well- I've taken a handful of pure math courses because I really like it but by no means were they required.
What did you take?
What did you find useful?
What did you find not useful?
Were any of the pure math courses a real chore for you?- I'm guessing that since you said "mathematical physics" you'll be better off in the math department for a PhD.
I think it depends what courses he's taken, and what he *will* take.
My opinion doesn't count for much here, but for my money, i think all bets are off, unless i can see what someone's course history has been, and what they *wish* to fit in.- Ask you professors that work in the math department that do research in physics vs. professors that are theoretical physicists.
At the lower levels, a lot of guidance counsellors just point at what in the course calendar seems to 'fit you best' and feel all you need to do is tick off the courses you took, and just *take* the next classes you got the prerequisites for... and yeah the higher you go, the more you know, and the better for you to know what to ask for 'future direction'.
- There is a notable difference in how they approach the same problems. When you answer which one you enjoy more then you will know side you fall on.
I think that's the important part! If you know what you enjoy more, that answers 90% of the problems. I still think you get more out of studying a Math Program , a Physics Program , and then comparing it to a Double Major in Math and Physics, or if you're lucky a Mathematical Physics option which might toss some extra hints what to take.
I just think it's sort of useless to ponder this stuff, unless you actually sit down with a Syllabus for Analysis and got the textbook on your shelf and say 'oh so that's what it's all about', and the same goes for a 'Math Methods Book in Physics/Butkov/Symon/Griffith QM/Griffith EM book'
300-400 dollars for half a dozen math and physics books, and a course calendar is all you need, and figure it out semester by semester how much you like the classes/hate the classes/struggle at the classes/worry
I just think choosing a Math PhD or Physics PhD is sort of 'pointless' in many cases because unless you actually own a copy of Royden's Analysis and flake out with stress about it, and you own a copy of Jackson's Electrodynamics and flake out with stress about it, you are just groping in the dark. If you look at the textbooks early enough, and ponder the good and the bad, you'll tailor your own path and follow your muse without needing help later on with direction.-----
micromass - Again, what was wrong about my advice? If you warn the OP to take my advice with a grain of salt, then that means that something was wrong. I'd like to know what it was.
mm - Take as many analysis classes as you can.
mm - Don't stop with one real analysis class.
mm - Take complex analysis
mm - Take functional analysis and more.
mm - take differential equations classes, such as PDE.
mm - take whatever linear algebra classes they have
mm - take differential geometry
mm - you should also take abstract algebra, but way less important
soph - I agree with most of micromass's advice
soph - take saltI make it easy lola. Take Special Relativity [Differential Geometry check]
b. Take Topology [Analysis check]
c. Take all Math Classes that uses Differential Equations [PDE/Vibrations/Calculus of Variations ugh and check]
d. play with Turbulent Flow and Deformation [oh you're a scary engineer now check]
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So don't get discouraged micromass, you are actually making specific suggestions and all that matters is if people agree with you, or disagree with you. And if they do either, it is hoped that they offer better advice, for all concerned.
