Math for Physics: Solid State, Thermal, Maxwells, Relativity & Optics

[samgrace]

Hello, it is said that maths is the language of science, specifically physics. I am posting to ask which areas of mathematics are used in sections of physics.

In a months time I will be studying:

Solid state physics
Thermal and statistical physics
Maxwells equations, relativity and optics
Image processingThe areas of maths that I am revising are:

Partial differentiation
Differential equations (ordinary and partial)
Fourier series
Vector calculus
Are there any other areas that are used within these topics?

 

[jtbell]

For Maxwell's equations (electrodynamics) in particular you should add multiple integration (line, surface and volume integrals); also, the vector differentiation operators (div, grad, curl) if they're not already included under your "partial differentiation" entry.

 

[pasmith]

For Maxwell's equations (electrodynamics) in particular you should add multiple integration (line, surface and volume integrals); also, the vector differentiation operators (div, grad, curl) if they're not already included under your "partial differentiation" entry.

I would be greatly surprised if all these topics were not covered in "vector calculus".

 

[jtbell]

Bleah. After I saw "partial differentiation" I thought, "what about multivariable integration" and mentally skipped over "vector calculus" at the end.