Suggested Math and Physics Courses for Plasma physics/Fusion Engineering?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the selection of mathematics and physics courses relevant to fusion engineering and plasma physics for an engineering physics major. Participants explore course recommendations and prerequisites, considering the limitations of their university's offerings.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks advice on the best math and physics courses to prepare for fusion engineering and plasma physics, noting the absence of formal classes in these areas at their university.
  • Another participant considers taking a "Methods of Theoretical Physics" course, which requires additional math courses, but notes scheduling conflicts as a potential issue.
  • A participant mentions a conversation with their physics professor, who recommended Group Theory and Complex Analysis, questioning if "Complex Variables for Engineers" aligns with Complex Analysis.
  • Another participant suggests that the undergraduate version of Group Theory might be found in Abstract Algebra, and confirms that Complex Variables is relevant to Complex Analysis.
  • One participant asserts that "fusion engineering" does not exist, introducing a point of contention regarding the validity of the field itself.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the existence and validity of fusion engineering, with some focusing on course recommendations while others challenge the premise of the field. No consensus is reached regarding the relevance of specific courses or the existence of fusion engineering.

Contextual Notes

Participants discuss various course prerequisites and scheduling conflicts, indicating limitations in course availability and the need for careful planning. The discussion reflects uncertainty regarding the alignment of certain courses with the intended study of fusion engineering and plasma physics.

Who May Find This Useful

Students pursuing engineering physics, particularly those interested in fusion engineering and plasma physics, as well as those navigating course selection in related fields.

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Hello all, I am currently a second year engineering physics major, specializing in Nuclear Engineering. What would be the best Math and Physics courses to get an idea of what fusion engineering and/or Plasma physics is like (My university does not offer any formal fusion engineering classes)? I am planning on going five years for undergrad, so I have a bit of flexibility of taking extra courses in addition to those required for my major.
Math Required for Major:
Calc I-IV
Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations
Vector Analysis for Engineers
Partial Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems
Introductory Linear Algebra

The physics requirement seems to be pretty much the same as about any other physics undergrad program. If needed I'll list the courses (but there are quite a few!)
In addition to the required Courses, my university also offers these courses every year:
Elementary Particle Physics
Atomic and Molecular Physics
Nuclear Physics
Condensed Matter Physics
Computational Physics
There are a few other courses that seem to be offered sporadically, but I can't find any details on them except for the call number for the course. If I take the graduate level quantum mechanics, then those courses appear more often, but due to time and scheduling issues I do not believe I would have a chance to take them ( I would be taking the grad level quantum mechanics in my fifth year). Thanks for any suggerstions!
 
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Well, one additional physics course I'm thinking about take is "Methods of Theoretical Physics". The prereqs for it are "Mathematical Principles in Science I" and "Mathematical Methods in Science".
So that adds two more math courses and an additional physics. The only problem is that the theoretical physics course is only offered in the summer.
 
I talked to my current physics professor about it an he recommended that I take Group theory and Complex analysis. My university offers Complex Variables for Engineers, is that along the same idea as Complex Analysis? The other Complex analysis courses that my university offers are all grad level and there is no way I would be able to meet all the prereqs by the time I graduate. Also the group theory seems to only be a grad level course.
 
The undergrad version of group theory would probably be in a more general class called Abstract Algebra or just Algebra. If your school has a math major its very unlikely that they wouldn't have an undergrad algebra class. Complex variables is the class you're looking for complex analysis.
 
Fusion engineering? There is no such thing.
 

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