Where should I begin with Astrophysics?

[Bart]

I have to say that if you are currently applying to do astrophysics at Cambridge then I would have expected you to have covered these mathematical topics already, so maybe you need to give the maths some thought.

chronon, yes, you are right, but unfortunately my education system is less than bad. I am trying to cover the material I would need at Cambridge, but it isn't possible to do it instantly. I live in Poland, and emmm my maths end on derivatives - without integrals, complex numbers, etc, and many desirable topics. That's not my fault, I'm trying as hard as I can. I do maths 4 hours in a day...

I would have expected chapter 7 of The Road to Reality to be the first one you found challenging.

I found hyperbloic geometry and complex number new to me.

Thanks for the links!

 

[cristo]

chronon, yes, you are right, but unfortunately my education system is less than bad. I am trying to cover the material I would need at Cambridge, but it isn't possible to do it instantly. I live in Poland, and emmm my maths end on derivatives - without integrals, complex numbers, etc, and many desirable topics. That's not my fault, I'm trying as hard as I can. I do maths 4 hours in a day...

I don't think Chronon was attacking your education when making his previous comment. However, if you are applying to Cambridge to start next October, then I would strongly recommend you at least start learning integration! Cambridge is a highly competitive university, especially in the field in which you want to study, and so every candidate will have top A level (or equivalent) grades. It depends which course you're applying to; whether it be Mathematics, or Natural Sciences (both with a view to spcecialise in Theroretical Physics). If its maths, then most colleges will ask you to sit another exam, or test you at the interview. I've known people with top grades be turned down at an interview before. If it's natural sciences, then I think you probably only need top grades in the sciences. Either way, I'd learn basic calculus etc. as soon as possible!

 

[Kurdt]

If Bart is coming from overseas he will have to take extra classes to bridge the education systems of the different countries. If accepted this will be taken into account and will only need to demonstrate effectively the things already learned and no more. However like i say, there will be extra courses to take and thus you will have to work harder. Also demonstrating knowledge beyond what you have been taught will be beneficial but not essential.

 

[Bart]

I'm applying for Natural Sciences detailed as Astrophysics. I've been on an interview and it wasn't bad. Not superb but good.

cristo, I've done some integration already and I'm doing more every day. Thanks for that anyway ;)

Kurdt, so I shouldn't expect any offers from Cambrdige until I finish extra classes? Note that Poland is in the EU, and I'm not treated as an overseas but a EU citizen ... ?

 

[cristo]

cristo, I've done some integration already and I'm doing more every day. Thanks for that anyway ;)

That's good, if you continue extra study then you should be fine (you have got about a year before you start the course!) I've read on the webpage that candidates are expected to have A level maths and physics as a prerequisite- you could always try a google search for the syllabuses for the two courses to check your working on the correct material. One of the major exam boards in the UK is here: www.aqa.org.uk. I'm sure you could find the syllabuses on there, if interested.

Kurdt, so I shouldn't expect any offers from Cambrdige until I finish extra classes? Note that Poland is in the EU, and I'm not treated as an overseas but a EU citizen ... ?

I don't think Kurdt means that you won't get an offer until you've finished extra classes. I think he means that the extra classes will be offered when you get to Cambridge, and that this will make the workload quite heavy.

Good luck!

 

[Kurdt]

I speak only from experience of the university I went to and sometimes if they feel it necessary they will give you extra classes in your first year. If the amount of extra tuition you need is small then this will occur in the first year of your course which in england does not count toward your degree. If you need lots of extra tuition (which I'm sure you don't) you will do an international students foundation year. Don't worry I'm sure you'll do fine I just wanted to emphasise that the comment chronon made about your current level of education is taken into account when coming from overseas or the EU.

 

[Bart]

Yes, I'm sure about it.

Extra work doesn't put me off. I just want to go to Cambridge an work very hard. Has anyone completed a degree there in Natural Sciences physical?

 

[Helios]

Chandra's "Stellar Structures" is a great book! Though star cores or fusion weren't understood at the time, the book is great for explanations of Emden's equation and related math theorems. It has a good thermodynamics summary too. Get it. It's a Dover book, so it's a good buy. A real classic.

 

[Chris Hillman]

I agree: Hawking and Ellis is a lovely book, the singularity theorems are landmarks in the development of general relativity, and Hawking radiation is beyond a doubt one of the landmark ideas of twentieth century physics (even if it eventually turns out to be "disproven" by experiment, which currently seems unlikely).

But everyone with experience in forums like this one has noticed that Hawking's popular books seem to have caused more than their fair share of popular misconceptions. This is probably not unrelated to the fact the the public seems to enjoy them more than more carefully written (pedantic?) books intended for lay audiences but written by physicists.

 

[FunkyDwarf]

fair call (about hawkings pop sci books). is it possible to get his papers he's published? surely nature or something would have some of his articles that are of merit.

as for the kaufman book i can vouch for that book, its very good. well written easy to read and packed full of up to date stuff. we used it for our astro unit (im doing physics/maths major, just finished first year)

 

[interested_learner]

a bit unfair

I think that the remarks on chapter 5 in the Road to Reality were a bit unfair. The approach that Penrose takes is quite sophisticated and can be a bit challenging even for those with Univeristy degrees. While he really takes off on chapter 7 with complex analysis, chapter 5 would be a challenge for the typical advanced high school student almost anywhere in the world.

That said, "The Road to Reality" is one of the best non-textbook type books on astrophysics. It is very solid.

also see www.arxiv.org for original papers by major authors.

 

[Kurdt]

On the road to reality, I believe that even the most experienced physicists can learn something from this book. Its just as valuable as the textbooks on the shelf.