# Taking PDE or abstract algebra

Homework Helper
Gold Member
In my uni I am forced to make a painful choice btw taking PDE or abstract algebra. I will take algebra, but I'd like to know what I will be missing?

What is being taught in this class exactly? (BESIDES HOW TO SOLVE A PDE BY SEPARATION OF VARIABLES )

what is pde

jamesrc
Gold Member
I think it depends on what your academic/career goals are. In a Partial Differential Equations class, you'll probably cover Laplace Transforms and Fourier Series in addition to separation of variables. At least that's what I remember from that class.

verty
Homework Helper
Isn't abstract algebra something you could self-study?

FredGarvin
I think Jamesrc is right. We covered both Laplace and Fourier and separation of variables. We concentrated on a lot of applications in my PDE class (wave equation, heat equation, membrane vibrations etc...).

Homework Helper
Gold Member

"Equation of the first order and secod order, caracteristic and classification, elliptic equations : laplace & poisson. wave equation, heat equation. Introduction to distributions and Green functions."

How important are Green functions and distributions and what is an elliptic equation?

Overall this looks like easily self-studiable stuff (contrary to the dense and fundamental group theory! I tried to self-study it last summer bu it was rough without the guidance of a prof.)

P.S. PDE=Partial Differential Equations

Dr Transport
Gold Member
A course in PDE's is more important to the education of a physicist than a course in abstract algebra. Almost every equation you solve as a physicist can be solved using those techniques. Unless you are going to be a mathematical physicist, you shouldn't need abstract algebra.

FredGarvin said:
I think Jamesrc is right. We covered both Laplace and Fourier and separation of variables. We concentrated on a lot of applications in my PDE class (wave equation, heat equation, membrane vibrations etc...).

You had to take PDE at LTU? It is not required anymore.

Fourier analysis is usually a big part of a PDE course. I'm suprised a PDE course isn't required for the Physics degree, or at least strongly recommended.

god that's all it takes to get a physics near you? i am required to take both those courses, plus another course dealing with method of characterisics and more advanced DE's... ugh