Need help Second year theoretical physics modules

[Matt atkinson]

Hello, thank you for taking a look at this thread. Here is my dilemma, I can chose 30 credits from various math and physics courses (each worth 10) for my second year, but I've decided to do maths as the rest of my modules are all physics but there are so many I have no idea what maths modules would be most beneficial to a physicist.
The modules are:-

MAS201
Linear Mathematics for Applications
http://maths.dept.shef.ac.uk/maths/module_info.php?id=755

MAS202
Advanced Calculus
http://maths.dept.shef.ac.uk/maths/module_info.php?id=1006

MAS203
Mechanics
http://maths.dept.shef.ac.uk/maths/module_info.php?id=1010

MAS204
Numerical Linear Algebra
http://maths.dept.shef.ac.uk/maths/module_info.php?id=966

MAS270 (Prerequisite can be ignored for this one)
Vectors and Fluids
http://maths.dept.shef.ac.uk/maths/module_info.php?id=975

MAS271
Methods for Differential Equations
http://maths.dept.shef.ac.uk/maths/module_info.php?id=1021

There is also a module of the physics of Materials.
My initial thoughts were to take "Vectors and Fluids", "Advanced calculus" and "Methods for Differential Equations", as we have been told to not take the mechanics if possible as its similar to the physics core mechanic's.
Any help would be appreciated, I only wondering if any of the other modules would benefit me more than the one I have selected so far.


Edit:-
I have already taken, maths wise:-
Matrices and Geometry http://maths.dept.shef.ac.uk/maths/module_info.php?id=609
Practical Calculus http://maths.dept.shef.ac.uk/maths/module_info.php?id=991
Mathematics For physicists http://www.maths.dept.shef.ac.uk/maths/module_info.php?id=598
Mathematics with Maple http://maths.dept.shef.ac.uk/maths/module_info.php?id=981
Probability, Sets and Complex Numbers http://maths.dept.shef.ac.uk/maths/module_info.php?id=968
Differential and Difference Equations http://maths.dept.shef.ac.uk/maths/module_info.php?id=957

Physics wise the topics we have covered:-
Mechanics
Electromagnetism
Waves
Basic quantum mechanics
Special Relativity
Optic's
Thermodynamics

And the only course I am sure i want to take later on at university is "An Introduction to General relativity" Phy314 which has no prerequisites.


Thanks in advance,
Matt


P.s:- The Differential Geometry http://maths.dept.shef.ac.uk/maths/module_info.php?id=861

 

[micromass]

Can you post which courses you have already taken?? Can you also post the course contents of the courses in the OP??

 

[Matt atkinson]

Done I added links to course page with contents :)

 

[micromass]

The courses which might be interesting are

- Linear mathematics for applications
- Advanced calculus
- Vectors and fluids
- Methods for differential equations

Whatever you do, you should certainly take the last two. They are the most interesting. The first two courses seem to be extensions on what you have already seen. They are both quite useful. Linear mathematics is quite useful for things like quantum physics, or when you are dealing with linear systems. The advanced calculus course covers things like Fourier series which might be interesting for thermodynamics and stuff. I'd say to choose whatever you find most interesting.

 

[xdrgnh]

I would disagree about taking the vectors and fluids. It appears the class is about applications of vector calculus to fluids. You already know vector calculus from your mathematical physics class. I would take Linear Mathematics for applications because it Linear Algebra has large uses in QM. This is coming from a freshmen physics major who took math up to so far Complex Varaibles.

 

[Matt atkinson]

Okay, thanks :)

I have taken a look at the third year modules and the reason i was going to do vectors and fluid is for the fluid mechanics, which when I've looked at it doesn't interest me, but what does is mas336 (differential geometry) which looks good and says its related to general relativity (google mas336 and its first link if you are curious) and i really want to be taking all the relativity/quantum mechanics modules later on and upto my masters years.
so I'm thinking
MAS201
Linear Mathematics for Applications

MAS202
Advanced Calculus

MAS271
Methods for Differential Equations

which would lead on to the differential geometry and also the general relativity course.
Does that seem like a wise choice, to say i like the quantum theory and relativity the most?

 

[xdrgnh]

Linear Algebra is a must for differential geometry. Does your differential geometry have Analysis or Topology as a Prerequisite? This seems like a wise choice to me. If you want quantum theory then as I said Linear Algebra is very important. Also PDE come up in QM so it's good to be good with them.

 

[Matt atkinson]

Linear Algebra is a must for differential geometry. Does your differential geometry have Analysis or Topology as a Prerequisite? This seems like a wise choice to me. If you want quantum theory then as I said Linear Algebra is very important. Also PDE come up in QM so it's good to be good with them.

No, the differential geometry only has the linear algebra and the advanced calculus as prerequisite. i will add link to OP. Mas336
Most of the other theoretical students are picking "easy" modules. Which is what had me confused.
I think ill go with this.
Im also pretty go with PDE's two of my modules have covered them in detail.
anyhow ill link mas336 above let me know your thoughts.