Question about math grad school.

In summary, there are many applied math PhD programs that focus on physics, such as fluid mechanics. However, the specific focus of these programs may vary. There are also mathematicians who study the mathematical foundations of Quantum Mechanics and Relativity, which fall under the field of mathematical physics. However, if you are interested in the more applied side of things, programs in engineering and applied mathematics may be more suitable. It is also important to have a strong foundation in mathematics, including analysis, topology, and algebra, in order to study these subjects.
  • #1
cragar
2,552
3
Can you go to math grad school and study applied math that focuses on physics. And also study regular math?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
cragar said:
Can you go to math grad school and study applied math that focuses on physics. And also study regular math?

Hey cragar.

There are certainly applied math PhD programs at many major universities. The requirements for what you need to study if you need to do coursework for your qualifying exams will vary depending on the institutions own requirements.

One example off the top of my head for applied mathematics in direct relation to physics is fluid mechanics. A quick google search turned up these links:

http://cee.stanford.edu/programs/efmh/students/degree.html [Broken]

http://www.uea.ac.uk/sci/studyscience/researchdegrees/mthres

This was just the first page of results, but I'm sure you could find many more.

The thing though for this would be the specific focus. I'm guessing that engineering PhD programs would have a different focus to say applied mathematics PhD programs so it would be important to get a clear distinction of the focus on the different programs.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #3
ok thanks for your reply. I was wondering if they have schools where you study relativity or quantum mechanics from a math point of view. I am also looking for math grad schools on Google that fit this, just wondering if you knew of anything.
 
  • #4
cragar said:
ok thanks for your reply. I was wondering if they have schools where you study relativity or quantum mechanics from a math point of view. I am also looking for math grad schools on Google that fit this, just wondering if you knew of anything.

There are mathematicians that study the mathematical formalisms for Quantum Mechanics which is based on the work of Von Neumann and his colleagues. If you want to see the first mathematical foundations for Quantum Mechanics, read Von Neumann's original book which was published (I think) in 1935.

The mathematical foundations for these kinds of things are studied in functional analysis, operator algebras and other similar fields.

The thing though is that the above is a pure mathematical field a lot more so than an applied one, which focuses more on generating abstract understanding for the mathematics behind systems in general rather than QM itself.

With regards to relativity, again there are areas of research that deal with geometry extensively as well with things like various kinds of topology and algebra related to the foundational math underpinning relativity.

All of this kind of thing though, is mathematical physics as opposed to applied mathematics and sometimes its hard to really make a distinction between the two.

If you want to look at the theoretical side of physics in a mathematical context, my guess is that you look into mathematical physics. If however you want to look into an applied context, then engineering and related applied programs (in applied math) would make more sense.

If you want to go deep into the theory and construction of systems underlying QM, get a masters or some other equivalent coursework in functional analysis. You will also have to have the other math essentials for higher mathematics including analysis, topology, and algebra, and also end up extended algebra to the study of operator algebras.

I do recall though that a guy at Cambridge is an active researcher in areas where functional analysis and statistics overlap, so that might give you an insight to areas that use this in a more applied context. Here is his web-page:

http://www.statslab.cam.ac.uk/~nickl/Site/_.html

This is statistics though, but the point I'm making is that there are applied areas of research that use things that relate to the same things like QM, but are in a different context and focus which you might want to keep in the back of your mind.

Try a search like this
 
  • #5
im fine with it being pure math. I just said applied math because I thought that it was more close to physics. Thanks for you help on how to search for those topics.
 
  • #6
Probably the reason it's hard to make a distinction is that applied mathematics is usually studying "the mathematics of X" where X is some discipline that uses mathematics. And thus, mathematical physics might fit this description, yet the already theoretical nature of theoretical physics might make the field seem significantly more like pure mathematics than other things in so-called applied mathematics.

I tend not to distinguish between the terms pure and applied mathematics for these sorts of reasons, but certainly sometimes it can help someone to have the distinction in words.
 

1. What are the requirements for admission to a math graduate program?

The specific requirements for admission vary depending on the program and university, but generally, you will need a strong undergraduate background in mathematics and a high GPA. Most programs also require the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) and letters of recommendation.

2. How long does it take to complete a math graduate program?

The length of a math graduate program can vary, but on average, a master's program takes 2-3 years and a doctoral program takes 4-6 years. This can also depend on whether the program is full-time or part-time and if you have any previous credits that can be applied towards the degree.

3. What is the difference between a master's and a doctoral degree in math?

A master's degree in math typically focuses on coursework and may include a thesis or final project. A doctoral degree, on the other hand, involves more independent research and the completion of a dissertation. It is also a more advanced and specialized degree, often leading to careers in academia or industry research.

4. Can I get funding for a math graduate program?

Many universities offer funding opportunities for graduate students, such as teaching or research assistantships, scholarships, and fellowships. It is important to research the specific program and university to see what funding options are available and what the application process entails.

5. What career opportunities are available with a math graduate degree?

A math graduate degree can lead to a variety of career paths, including academia, research, data analysis, finance, and engineering. It can also provide a strong foundation for further study in fields such as computer science, statistics, or economics.

Similar threads

  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
3
Views
754
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
26
Views
937
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
9
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
720
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
2
Views
863
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
18
Views
1K
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
7
Views
1K
Replies
15
Views
1K
Replies
16
Views
981
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
7
Views
1K
Back
Top