Maths needed for a plasma physics and astrophysics module

[jemb]

Hi,

i'm studying a MEng Electrical and Mechanical engineering course in the UK. I've just started second year and have been approved by my advisor to take on an extra module next semester in plasma and astro physics.

This module is intended for 4th year physics students and won't count towards my actual degree credits. Its purely for my own interest in the subject.

My question is what maths am I going to need to be familiar with before I start? I've started looking at solutions to wave and heat equations, and covering vector calculus for electromagnetism and fluid dynamics.

Any thoughts on where I should go from there?

 

[Astronuc]

Look at the mathematics of electromagnetic theory and hydrodynamics.

Ultimately one must be able to understand and solve sets of simultaneous partial differential equations, e.g., Navier-Stokes set (continuity - mass, momentum and energy), and conservation of charge. And one should be comfortable with time-depenedent, non-linear PDEs.

See our Learning Materials forum for tutorials in physics, including EM and plasma physics.

 

[jemb]

That sounds like plenty to be getting on with!

Hopefully if I learn the maths well it'll all stand me in good stead for later on in my course. It all seems pretty transferable.

Thanks for the recommendations!