Path to follow to learn maths and physics this year before school (sept 2015)

[andreyw]

Hey guys,

I am a software developer who plans to go back to school in September 2015 to get a degree in physics.
I live in Europe so I will have to get a bachelor's degree (3 years) then a master's degree (2 years).

I am 26 years old and at the moment, I spend all of my free time re-learning maths and physics.
I would like to know if you could help me with a path to follow to (re)learn maths and physics.

For example, I am almost done with Khan Academy (working with Integral Calclus at the moment).
After that, there is no exercise to master so I plan to switch to physics until I lack the mathematical knowledge to continue.

What should I do know ?

I have the following resources that I bought or that were given to me by some friends :

Calculus (Spivak)
Discrete Mathematics with Applications (Epp, Susanna)
Fundamental of Physics (Halliday, David)
A mathematical introduction to logic (Enderton, Herbert B)
Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences (Boas Mary)

I still have almost a year to study things to be prepared for the bachelor (undergraduate I think) so I am confident. I work between 20 to 40 hours a week.

What is your opinion ? Should I just learn maths and physics now or should I just focus as much as possible on mathematics and make sure that I master all the maths I will need for my studies ?
If I have no problems with the maths, I'll have more time to solve problems in physics but I think it is wise to already solve a few problems now too.

Thanks.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

Thanks for the post! Sorry you aren't generating responses at the moment. Do you have any further information, come to any new conclusions or is it possible to reword the post?

 

[andreyw]

For the moment, I only learned mathematics with Khan Academy and I know it is a great support in addition of a textbook. I didn't open a textbook so far so I think it is best if I focus on mathematics and make sure I master a big part of what I will need for my studies in physics.

When I am done with Integral Calculus (Khan), I'll relearn everything with Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences (Boas Mary) until I reach the "maths level I have on Khan Academy" then switch to Spivak's Calculus.

If I am done with those books before September 2015, I'll start with Fundamental of Physics (Halliday, David). I think it is really important to have a solid foundation in mathematics before I start learning physics.

If you have any suggestions, I'd be glad to hear them.

Thanks. :)

 

[momof4]

I'm kind of in the same boat except my undergrad is in physics but I graduated a long time ago. I'm using MIT open courseware. It's free and goes to graduate level in both math and physics.

Good luck.

 

[SteamKing]

What is your opinion ? Should I just learn maths and physics now or should I just focus as much as possible on mathematics and make sure that I master all the maths I will need for my studies ?

If I have no problems with the maths, I'll have more time to solve problems in physics but I think it is wise to already solve a few problems now too.

Thanks.

I don't see why you can't start learning some basic physics before completing your math program. After all, much of the basics of physics doesn't take a lot of exotic math to master, and if you know the basics of integral and differential calculus, you should be able to study linear and angular motion, for example. Besides, working physics problems will give you more opportunities to practice your math skills.