Courses Help me choosing module/course

  • Thread starter Thread starter mathsnerd2
  • Start date Start date
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on selecting a specialization in mathematics or physics, particularly for someone interested in differential geometry, group theory, quantum mechanics, algebra, complex analysis, and topology. Participants emphasize that while one cannot major directly in specific areas like differential geometry or group theory, choosing a broader field such as mathematics or physics is essential. The importance of exploring various subjects to identify personal interests is highlighted, with one participant sharing their journey of discovering a passion for combinatorics and game theory through trial and error. The conversation also advises consulting academic departments for guidance on PhD topics, as personal interests and departmental resources can significantly influence specialization choices. Overall, the key takeaway is the value of exploration and self-discovery in finding a suitable academic path.
mathsnerd2
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Algebra 5

DecisionProblemsinGroupTheory(L24).... ....5
LieAlgebrasandRepresentationTheory(M24)... ...5
ModularRepresentationsofFiniteGroups(L24)... ...6
Calculusandalgebra(L24)...... ...8
Representationsof?nitegroupsofLietype(L24)... ....8
CommutativeAlgebra(M24)...... ...9
Non-commutativealgebras(L24)...... ...9
VonNeumannAlgebras(L24)...... ...10

Analysis 12

TopologicalGroups(L24)....... ...12
TopicsinIn?niteGroups(M16)..... ...12
AnalysisontheDiscreteHypercube(L24)— Non–Examinable ....13
IntroductiontoFunctionalAnalysis(M24)..... ...14
ComplexDi?erentialEquations(L24)...... ....15
Ellipticpartialdi?erentialequations(M24)... .....15

Combinatorics 17

Combinatorics(M16)....... ...17
CombinatorialProbability(L16)...... ....17
HypergraphGames(E8)— Non–Examinable ......18
ArithmeticCombinatorics(M16)...... ...18

GeometryandTopology 19

TheX-raytransformingeometryanddynamics(L24)... ...19
AlgebraicTopology(M24)....... ...20
Di?erentialGeometry(M24)...... ...20
SpectralGeometry(L24)........ ...21
AlgebraicGeometry(M24)....... ...22
ComplexManifolds(L24)........ ...22
AlgebraicGroups(M24)...... ...24
FibreBundles(L16)........ ...24
AlgebraicCycles(L24)...... ...25

Logic 26

CategoryTheory(M24)...... ...26
SetTheoryandLogic(L24)....... ...27

NumberTheory 29

EllipticCurves(L24)...... ...29
LocalFields(M16)....... ...29
ErgodicTheory(L24)....... ...30
TheIwasawatheoryofellipticcurveswithcomplexmultiplication(L24)....31
AlgebraicNumberTheory(M16)..... ...31
ModularFormsandAutomorphicForms(L24)... ...32
Non-abelianLubin-Tatetheory(M24)— Non–Examinable ......32

Probability 3

AdvancedProbability(M24)...... ...3
StochasticNetworks(L24)...... ...3
StochasticLoewnerEvolutions(L16)...... .....3
StochasticCalculusandApplications(L24).... ...3

ParticlePhysics,QuantumFieldsandStrings 46

QuantumFieldTheory(M24)...... ...46
SymmetryandParticlePhysics(M24)...... ...47
StatisticalFieldTheoryandApplications(M24)... ....48
AdvancedQuantumFieldTheory(L24)...... ...49
StringTheory(L24)........ ...49
SupersymmetryandExtraDimensions(L24)... ....50
StandardModel(L24)....... ...51
SolitonsandInstantons(E16)..... ...52
Supergravity(E16)........ ...53
3

QuantumInformationandQuantumFoundations 54

IntroductiontoQuantumComputation(M16)..... ....54
QuantumInformation,EntanglementandNonlocality(M16). .....55
PhilosophyofClassicalandQuantumMechanics(M12,L12).. ....55
MathematicalAspectsofQuantumInformationTheory(L24). .....56
QuantumControl(L16)...... ...57

RelativityandGravitation 59

Cosmology(M24)........ ...59
GeneralRelativity(M24)....... ...61
AdvancedCosmology(L16)....... ...62
ApplicationsofDi?erentialGeometrytoPhysics(L24)... ......63
BlackHoles(L24)....... ...64
QuantumCosmology(E16)........ ...65
IntroductionToTwistorTheory(E16)...... ...66

Astrophysics 67

AstrophysicalFluidDynamics(M24)...... ....67
StructureandEvolutionofStars(M24)..... ....68
AccretionDiscs(L16)...... ...68
Galaxies(L24)......... ...69
PhysicalCosmology(L24)....... ...70
StellarandPlanetaryMagneticFields(L24).... ...71

I am interested in differential geometry, group theory, a bit of quantum mechanic, some algebra, complex analysis and topology.

So right now I can't decide what area I want to major in? How do you guys decide what area to specialize?

What subject I should choose so that I can still keep in touch with my favorite topics (differential geometry, group theory, a bit of quantum mechanic, some algebra, complex analysis and topology) ?

Please help me I am clueless.

I only allowed to take 10 course from the list above and hopefully the course that I choose will be useful in my research for PhD ( still haven't decide what topic).

Thank you for your help. :)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
From teaching classes and becoming exposed to the stuff you are interested in. I picked Combinatorics and Game Theory for my specialization because it was something I under innately. I love talking about the subject and all the many applications. It also seems like every day people also enjoy talking about the implication game theory results imply. It extremely interesting and fun for me.

However, to get to that point, it took a lot of work. At first, I thought maybe dynamics, but I didn't like how tedious it was. Then I thought, why not analysis, but it hurts my head to think about analysis for to long. Then I thought why not topology? Again, it hurts my head to much. In the end, it took me figuring out what I enjoyed less to figure out what I really did truly enjoy.

I hope that made sense.
 
I can hardly understand you post however...

You don't major in Diff. Geometry, group theory or even QM

You major in Math or Physics, possibly a bit more specialized but with not much difference something like theoretical physics or a dual degree physics +maths

Later in grad school you begin to specialize if you choose to do p.h.d or some kind of thesis based MS.

How far along are you in your studies? That would help us help you. Are you doing you phd currently? Really you should consult your dept. as far as having trouble picking a topic for a phd. There is only so much we can suggest in that regard, ie. we can't tell you, You Should do you PHD on X, Y or Z.
 
I’ve been looking through the curricula of several European theoretical/mathematical physics MSc programs (ETH, Oxford, Cambridge, LMU, ENS Paris, etc), and I’m struck by how little emphasis they place on advanced fundamental courses. Nearly everything seems to be research-adjacent: string theory, quantum field theory, quantum optics, cosmology, soft matter physics, black hole radiation, etc. What I don’t see are the kinds of “second-pass fundamentals” I was hoping for, things like...
TL;DR Summary: I want to do a PhD in applied math but I hate group theory, is this a big problem? Hello, I am a second-year math and physics double major with a minor in data science. I just finished group theory (today actually), and it was my least favorite class in all of university so far. It doesn't interest me, and I am also very bad at it compared to other math courses I have done. The other courses I have done are calculus I-III, ODEs, Linear Algebra, and Prob/Stats. Is it a...

Similar threads

Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
1K
Replies
12
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
3K
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
6
Views
2K
Back
Top