- #1
Mulz
- 124
- 5
Hi,
I'm a recently graduated medical physicist (currently also working as a medical physicist) and I still have a thirst for physics, especially astronomy and astrophysics which are my hobbies. The problem is that we were only taught pure physics and mathematics during the first 2 years of our education, the rest 3 years were mixed and, well, about medical physics. In my opinion, going 3 years without doing the general mathematics and physics is not exactly good on the memory.
Basically, I have forgotten the basics and I'm looking to enlist in an undergraduate physics program where I would start immediately at the 3:rd year instead of 1:st (since I've already passed all the courses). My plan is to then go for a master's degree in astronomy or astrophysics, if I don't feel stupid.
The reason why I want to get into astronomy or astrophysics is simply because that was my original plan, but I never went that route because there were very few that would get a job directly related to it (most would end up working in economics, IT, or some other occupations) and because I enjoyed particle physics, which medical physics is, in a sense, all about. I've always had a fascination with stars, planets and the universe as a whole.
The courses we took during the first 2 years, which I've mostly forgotten by now, are:
1. Mechanics A
2. Thermodynamics
3. Wave physics and optics
4. Mathematical physics A
5. Electromagnetism
6. Quantum mechanics A
7. Subatomic physics
8. Electricity
9. Linear algebra II
10. Numerical analysis
11. Multivariable analysis
12. Analytical functions and transform theory
13. Mathematical statistics and discrete mathematics
I'm wondering if there are textbooks that are good for covering all of these subjects in a rather quick and simple manner? Basically a physics textbook that is broad and branches out into the basics of many fields, such as in the list above. I can probably live with minimal mathematics, I doubt I need to know all the proofs in order to get started.
I'm also wondering how difficult this would be? To concentrate all those courses in <1 year while working full time. I remember struggling a bit when I studied the first 2 years, mostly due to poor study habits. I've matured now, maybe it will be a lot easier. Maybe not. I feel like it would be a huge disadvantage to have not done anything for 3 years.
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Plan B would just to go stargazing or something while reading astronomy and astrophysics in my spare time. I still would like to have the opportunity to perhaps work in that field, which would require a degree.
I'm a recently graduated medical physicist (currently also working as a medical physicist) and I still have a thirst for physics, especially astronomy and astrophysics which are my hobbies. The problem is that we were only taught pure physics and mathematics during the first 2 years of our education, the rest 3 years were mixed and, well, about medical physics. In my opinion, going 3 years without doing the general mathematics and physics is not exactly good on the memory.
Basically, I have forgotten the basics and I'm looking to enlist in an undergraduate physics program where I would start immediately at the 3:rd year instead of 1:st (since I've already passed all the courses). My plan is to then go for a master's degree in astronomy or astrophysics, if I don't feel stupid.
The reason why I want to get into astronomy or astrophysics is simply because that was my original plan, but I never went that route because there were very few that would get a job directly related to it (most would end up working in economics, IT, or some other occupations) and because I enjoyed particle physics, which medical physics is, in a sense, all about. I've always had a fascination with stars, planets and the universe as a whole.
The courses we took during the first 2 years, which I've mostly forgotten by now, are:
1. Mechanics A
2. Thermodynamics
3. Wave physics and optics
4. Mathematical physics A
5. Electromagnetism
6. Quantum mechanics A
7. Subatomic physics
8. Electricity
9. Linear algebra II
10. Numerical analysis
11. Multivariable analysis
12. Analytical functions and transform theory
13. Mathematical statistics and discrete mathematics
I'm wondering if there are textbooks that are good for covering all of these subjects in a rather quick and simple manner? Basically a physics textbook that is broad and branches out into the basics of many fields, such as in the list above. I can probably live with minimal mathematics, I doubt I need to know all the proofs in order to get started.
I'm also wondering how difficult this would be? To concentrate all those courses in <1 year while working full time. I remember struggling a bit when I studied the first 2 years, mostly due to poor study habits. I've matured now, maybe it will be a lot easier. Maybe not. I feel like it would be a huge disadvantage to have not done anything for 3 years.
-------------
Plan B would just to go stargazing or something while reading astronomy and astrophysics in my spare time. I still would like to have the opportunity to perhaps work in that field, which would require a degree.
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