Cosmology: What math/physics background?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the mathematical and physical background necessary for pursuing a career in cosmology. Participants explore various areas of knowledge, including mathematics, physics, and programming skills relevant to the field.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant lists a comprehensive set of mathematical and physical topics they believe are essential for cosmology, including complex analysis, PDEs, classical mechanics, and general relativity.
  • Another participant suggests that computer programming and numerical techniques would be beneficial for cosmology studies.
  • There is a discussion about programming languages, with one participant mentioning Fortran as commonly used but outdated, while others argue that the choice of language should depend on personal comfort and the preferences of professors.
  • A later reply emphasizes that undergraduate students should focus on their coursework and that advanced topics like general relativity and quantum field theory will be covered in graduate studies, suggesting that programming skills may not be immediately necessary.
  • Some participants express differing views on the importance of programming skills for undergraduate students, with one arguing that they are not essential for entering graduate school.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions on the necessity of programming skills and the specific mathematical and physical topics required for cosmology. There is no consensus on the importance of programming at the undergraduate level, and multiple competing views remain regarding the best approach to learning relevant subjects.

Contextual Notes

Some limitations in the discussion include the potential incompleteness of the proposed knowledge areas and the varying relevance of programming languages in different research contexts. The discussion does not resolve the necessity of specific mathematical topics or programming skills for success in cosmology.

fourdriver01
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Hi. I'm an undergraduate student interested in cosmology. Initially, it was astrophysics, and I know it's a large field and I'm generalizing, but I felt a lot of the work was statistical analysis and letting the computer crunch images and letting it do things for you.

I know a lot of knowledge builds on itself, so I've been making a list of areas of knowledge I sort of need to know. Can I get some pointers in the right direction for what I want to do? (Cosmology)


Math
Analysis: At least complex analysis and theory of PDEs
Calculus: At least ODEs/PDEs/tensor calculus
Linear Algebra:
Abstract algebra: Group/Ring/Galois theory, representation theory -> Lie groups / Topology

Physics
Classical mechanics: statics -> action principles -> hamiltonian/lagrangian
At least basic optics: Doppler -> Wave propagation
Statistical / thermodynamics: 3 laws -> Ising model -> Planck's radiation law
Electromag: Maxwell's equations (electrostatics, electrodynamics)
Particle physics:
Quantum mechanics:
General relativity:
Special relativity:
QFT:



I know a lot of it is incomplete and/or incorrect. Any guidance for the natural progression of learning these subjects will be very much appreciated.

Many thanks in advance
 
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Computer programming and numerical techniques seem like they would be very helpful.
 
What languages would you recommend for computer programming?

I've heard fortran is the most used, but it is very dated, so I am unsure.
 
fourdriver01 said:
What languages would you recommend for computer programming?

I've heard fortran is the most used, but it is very dated, so I am unsure.

Whatever you're comfortable with. All languages boil down to similar logic.
 
fourdriver01 said:
What languages would you recommend for computer programming?

I would start with whatever language your professors are doing their cosmology research in. That way you can have a useful skill to do some undergrad research with them.
 
If you're an undergrad, I don't think this matters at all. Just do the coursework for your undergrad physics degree.

The following will all be part of your graduate coursework: GR, tensor calculus (taught as part of GR), QFT, particle physics, abstract algebra (the parts used in physics, which doesn't include Galois theory).

You don't need computer programming skills going into grad school. They're easy to pick up at the low level required for scientific research (in the fields of scientific research where they're needed at all). If you take an undergrad programming course they'll cram you full of the minutiae of object-oriented programming and/or the heinously complex syntax of C++; none of this is at all necessary for physics research.
 

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