Two courses in Mathematical Methods for Physics, or higher mathematics?

[anson201]

I have a problem. The amount of units I have taken up until now (this coming semester I'll be starting my Junior year) and the amount of time I have left is restricting my options for math courses. I do want to become a physics major and I intend on going to grad school. I have a strong inclination to rigorously understanding the mathematics behind physics, but I am unsure whether I may be missing out on something by not taking a mathematical methods course or I may be covering far more than I need to by taking 3 math courses for price of 2 more rewarding (in their utility for and relevance to my field of study) courses also offered by the math department.

So, this is exactly what I'm unsure on. I am considering taking the following sequence: Intro. to Analysis, Complex Analysis, and PDE's. I have taken Calc I, Calc II, Multivariable/Vector Calc, Linear Algebra, and ODE's. If I do take those three courses, I won't be able to take the 2 Mathematical Methods for Physics courses the math department offers. If I did take the Math Methods courses, I'd then take either Complex Analysis or PDE's. The textbook for the courses is Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences by Mary L. Boas. I can't decide on what to do. I'll be taking Quantum Mechanics I this coming semester, by the way.

EDIT: Both PDE's and Complex Analysis require Intro to Analysis. I'd thus only be able to take Intro to Analysis after Math Methods.

 

[dextercioby]

So you're essentially asked to choose between the 3 pure maths courses and the 2 math methods courses. You said you liked physics and want to go to <grad school>. Well, I can only ask you if you like mathematical physics or experimental physics, because it makes a difference.

 

[anson201]

I enjoy both, but I see myself doing experimental physics.

 

[anson201]

That was a glib response. On further thought, I have to say I don't really know yet.

 

[dextercioby]

If you see yourself working in a laboratory, then take the <Math methods> courses, don't take pure maths. You can do well with <Math methods> to get through quantum mechanics at a level of Griffiths and Sakurai and QFT at the level of Peskin & Schroeder.