Bridge to mathematical physics book?

Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
1 reply · 3K views
Livethefire
Messages
49
Reaction score
0
Background

Next year I am going to be a final year student - Msci Physics. I am fairly mathematically competent even though I don't "take" any theoretical/math options (my confidence in this area is another question). In first year we had a standard introduction to all the topics we were supposed to need. Any book with the title: "Mathematical methods for Sciencetists and engineers" would be a typical example of around about the same content for the full year course with some topics missing or not covered in depth etc.

I quite enjoy all fields I have been exposed to, if I had to choose favourites I would say EM and QM. Ironically these topics are the areas in which have a huge mathematical framework - I cannot say whether or not that is the reason I like them so much or not. In retrospect I would say I was in pretty good standing to actually change my "degree pathway" from just physics to Theoretical Physics- just so I could do more math. Although, I am still not sure if this would have been better because I would have been exposed to less physics.

Main point:
I am a student on a regular physics course with strong interest in EM, QM and mathematics in general. I wouldn't say I am confident in mathematics but I do have good grades. I would say I equally enjoy experiments and theory.

Question

Are there any books that bridge the gap between typical Physics undergrad math to that taught to Theoretical undergrad students?

I would have the interest in proceeding with a PhD after university, however I definatly feel that I am not of the calibur to apply for a theoretical position- and I am not sure I'd even want to. I think that being aware of/ and or being able to use as much maths as posible is advantageous for any person in science.


Additionally I would be happy to hear any advice.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Livethefire said:
I am a student on a regular physics course with strong interest in EM, QM and mathematics in general. I wouldn't say I am confident in mathematics but I do have good grades. I would say I equally enjoy experiments and theory.

Question

Are there any books that bridge the gap between typical Physics undergrad math to that taught to Theoretical undergrad students?

Try http://de.arxiv.org/abs/0810.1019