Finished undergraduate electrodynamics: what next?

In summary, the conversation discusses the search for a good graduate level book on electrodynamics that is mathematically rigorous. The participant mentions having a strong background in math and preference for rigorous books, but any good book will do. Jackson's Classical Electrodynamics is mentioned as a commonly used text, but other suggestions include Barut, Schwinger, Englert, and Charap. The participant also mentions finding Griffith's Quantum Mechanics book to be too mathematically light. Other recommendations for mathematically rigorous books include Garrity's Electricity and Magnetism for Mathematicians, Hehl and Obukhov's Foundations of Classical Electrodynamics, and Parrott's Relativistic Electrodynamics and Differential Geometry.
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I am almost finished with Griffiths intro to electrodynamics and was wondering what would be a good graduate level book on electrodynamics that I could self learn. I've also done His quantum mechanics book as well as Sakurai's quantum mechanics, and have a strong background in math (it's actually what my degree is in). My preference leans toward more mathematical rigorous books but that's just a preference any good book will do. Thanks.
 
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  • #2
Jackson's Classical Electrodynamics is (or at least has been) pretty commonly used in graduate physics programs in the US.

If you do a forum search for "Jackson", you'll probably turn up leads to other textbooks at that level. Restrict the search to "This forum" instead of "Everywhere".
 
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  • #4
jtbell said:
Jackson's Classical Electrodynamics is (or at least has been) pretty commonly used

Sorry to interrupt the thread. But this really caught my eyes!

I thought it is still widely used. What other textbooks are used currently as a replacement to Jackson's?
 
  • #5
jtbell said:
Jackson's Classical Electrodynamics is (or at least has been) pretty commonly used
Phylosopher said:
I thought it is still widely used.
I merely intended that as a "weasel phrase" in case things have changed since I was in grad school 40 years ago. :oldwink:
 
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  • #8
Almost all physics graduate students use Jackson as their main text. I think Stratton is a good book for graduate EM that was probably used 50 years ago before Jackson. It seems to be at approximately the same level. I think Jackson prepares graduate students towards high energy physics research to a greater extent than Stratton, which is an older text.

Both these books are quite mathematically rigorous.
I think it strange you prefer mathematically rigorous books and then prefer Griffith.

I found Griffith Quantum Mechanics to (attempt to) solve some of his sample problems without doing any math at all.
 
  • #9
s00mb said:
My preference leans toward more mathematical rigorous books
If you want something like electrodynamics for mathematicians, then Jackson is not what you are looking for. Instead, try with
- Garrity, Electricity and Magnetism for Mathematicians
- Hehl and Obukhov, Foundations of Classical Electrodynamics
- Parrott, Relativistic Electrodynamics and Differential Geometry
 
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1. What career options are available after finishing undergraduate electrodynamics?

There are several career paths you can pursue after completing undergraduate electrodynamics. Some common options include working as an electrical engineer, research scientist, or data analyst. You could also consider pursuing a graduate degree in a related field.

2. Can I work in a different field with a background in electrodynamics?

Yes, the skills and knowledge gained from studying electrodynamics can be applied in various industries. For example, you could work in telecommunications, aerospace, or even finance.

3. How can I continue to develop my knowledge in electrodynamics after completing my undergraduate studies?

One option is to pursue a graduate degree in a related field. You could also attend conferences and workshops, read scientific journals, or take online courses to stay updated on current research and advancements in the field.

4. Are there any specific skills or knowledge I should focus on to excel in electrodynamics?

Having a strong foundation in mathematics, particularly calculus and differential equations, is crucial for success in electrodynamics. In addition, having a good understanding of computer programming and problem-solving skills can be beneficial.

5. What are some potential research areas in electrodynamics?

Some current areas of research in electrodynamics include electromagnetic wave propagation, antenna design, and electromagnetic interference. Other topics of interest include plasma physics, quantum electrodynamics, and nanotechnology applications.

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