Modules to Choose for Specializing in General Rel.

[Maybe_Memorie]

Hey, these are the modules I have to choose for next year, still subject to change, so the available modules might not be the same when the form has to be in, but whatever.

I want to specialise in things like General Rel, black holes, space time, etc...

I can choose 6 from the following:
Abstract Algebra 1
Lie Algebra
Advanced Complex Analysis 1
Differential Geom.
Harmonic Analysis
Classical Field Theory
Quantum Mechanics 1
Statistical Physics 1
Algorithms
Numerical Sumilations
Some Stat modules which are a no-no.

Then 6 from the following:
Abstract Algebra 2
Category Theory
Advanced Complex Analysis 2
Partial Differential Equations
Modular Forms
Classical Electrodynamics
Quantum Mechanics 2
Statistical Physics 2
Algorithms
Information Theory
More computing/stats stuff.


General Rel. isn't on the list since it's a 4th year only module.
Thanks in advance!

 

[redrum419_7]

From the courses you gave I would say:

Abstract Algebra 1
Advanced Complex Analysis 1
Differential Geom.
Classical Field Theory
Quantum Mechanics 1
Statistical Physics 1

--------------------
Abstract Algebra 2
Advanced Complex Analysis 2
Partial Differential Equations
Classical Electrodynamics
Quantum Mechanics 2
Statistical Physics 2

 

[micromass]

From the courses you gave I would say:

Abstract Algebra 1
Advanced Complex Analysis 1
Differential Geom.
Classical Field Theory
Quantum Mechanics 1
Statistical Physics 1

--------------------
Abstract Algebra 2
Advanced Complex Analysis 2
Partial Differential Equations
Classical Electrodynamics
Quantum Mechanics 2
Statistical Physics 2

I agree with the above, except with the "abstract algebra 1 and 2". You will rarely need abstract algebra, and even if you do, it just uses the very basic concepts which you can easily self-study in 2 days.

Things that look good are "Lie algebras", but this depends on the lecturer. One can do it purely theoretical, or also from a physics point of view.

Things like Numerical simulations and algorithms can be quite useful if you want to do some programming later on (which is quite likely).

 

[R.P.F.]

I agree with the above, except with the "abstract algebra 1 and 2".

An algebraist who doesn't want people to learn algebra..?

 

[micromass]

An algebraist who doesn't want people to learn algebra..?

I'm not an algebrist

But I'm here to try to be helpful to the OP, not to push my own interests on other people. If I would say that abstract algebra were useful to him then I would have been dishonest and unhelpful.

That said, there are many reasons to study abstract algebra: it's an immensely beautiful field of study with many exciting applications. But if the OP is only interested in GR, black holes and space time, then he will find algebra useless, that's just the way it is. I'm not going to lie to other people

 

[R.P.F.]

But I'm here to try to be helpful to the OP, not to push my own interests on other people. If I would say that abstract algebra were useful to him then I would have been dishonest and unhelpful.

Such a nice guy.

That said, there are many reasons to study abstract algebra: it's an immensely beautiful field of study with many exciting applications.

That being said, it never hurts to learn some algebra.

 

[I like Serena]

For general relativity you don't really need quantum mechanics.
These fields do not overlap all that much.
They mostly have mathematics in common, such as abstract linear algebra and complex analysis.

For general relativity you need differential geometry.

For quantum physics you need statistical physics.

To do something meaningful in either one you're looking at pretty complex calculations.
It wouldn't hurt to know something about numerical methods to support that.