Math in Physics Graduate school

[PhysicsWiz4]

How do courses work in graduate school? I'm in undergrad right now and even though I am a physics major, I am mostly free to take whatever class I want to. However, I know in graduate school one is supposed to be becoming more specialized so how does taking non-physics classes work in graduate school? Also, if I'm interested in particle physics, what courses can I look forward to taking?

I am asking this question because I am also quite interested in math and CS, and would be willing to take graduate level courses in these classes (primarily math) in order to understand and apply the physics I learn.

Will I have time to take math classes/other electives in graduate school? Or will I just be too busy?

 

[NATURE.M]

For particle physics, you will most likely be taking courses in :
-Quantum Field Theory I
-into to high energy physics (particle physics)
-Relativity I (dont think its required, but good to take)
-statistical mechanics or advanced statistical mechanics (depending on experience, but optional)

Later courses can include:
-Quantum Field Theory II
-Advanced Particle Phenomenology
-Many Body Theory
-Black holes and cosmology or General Relativity
-String Theory

Many of these courses are optional, and really depends were you want to specialize in. QFT is a must!
And in regards to your other questions, I'm not entirely sure.

 

[eri]

All physics grad students take 1-2 semester of classical mechanics, thermodynamics, E&M, and quantum mechanics at the graduate level. What else you take depends on what you're interested in and what your school offers. Smaller departments don't offer as many courses. But just because they don't have a course in it doesn't mean you can't find someone to help you with an independent study, and that's what you'd be doing for your masters and PhD theses anyway.

While you can take courses in other departments, they may or may not count towards your PhD (depends on how related they are according to your department) and you can only take them if you meet the required pre-requisites and the classes aren't full of grad students in their own department.

 

[ahsanxr]

As far as physics classes go you'll pretty much have to take the standard graduate level courses classical mechanics, E&M, quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics, which pretty much everyone has to take. After that for particle theory QFT is a must, not so sure about experimentalists but it can't hurt them either. Courses on particle physics and general relativity should also be great (perhaps optional though).

As far as courses in other departments go, keep in mind that especially for math, even though the topic itself of the class might be useful (i.e you might hear about courses in representation theory, lie algebras, manifolds, differential geometry etc) the way courses are conducted and the kind of thing they like to focus on, is not what you as a physicist will find useful. Plus they're highly time consuming courses too. So I would only take them if you have the time. Otherwise active auditing (i.e still making an active effort to learn the material while not paying too much attention to issues mathematicians like but physicists don't) and learning from "for physicists" type books should be good enough for the purpose of physics.

 

[Matrix0]

In graduate school, courses typically work differently than in undergraduate programs. While you may have more flexibility in choosing courses as an undergraduate, graduate school is focused on developing expertise in a specific field. This means that your courses will be more specialized and tailored to your chosen area of study, such as particle physics.

Non-physics courses may still be available to you, but they may be limited to electives or may need to be approved by your program advisor. These courses can be beneficial in expanding your knowledge and skills, but they may not be necessary for your degree requirements. It is important to prioritize your coursework in your chosen field, but if you have a strong interest in math and CS, you may be able to incorporate some related courses into your program.

As for the specific courses you can look forward to in particle physics, this will depend on your program and the courses offered. However, some common courses in this field may include quantum field theory, particle physics experiments, and advanced topics in particle physics.

In terms of time management, graduate school can be demanding and time-consuming. However, it is important to prioritize your coursework and make time for any additional courses you may be interested in. This may require careful planning and communication with your program advisor. It is also important to maintain a good work-life balance and take breaks when needed to avoid burnout.

Overall, while graduate school may have less flexibility in course selection compared to undergraduate programs, there may still be opportunities to explore other subjects, such as math and CS, within your chosen field of study. It is important to communicate with your program advisor and plan your coursework accordingly to make the most out of your graduate school experience.