Will advanced mathematical methods like group theory be useful in physics?

[Leveret]

My school is offering a advanced mathematical methods classes next semester, taught by a supposedly world-renowned professor. Everyone to whom I've spoken, students and faculty alike, says he's an amazing teacher who gives you a unique education. However, here is the course description:

The first semester of a two semester course presenting an organized approach to solving hard problems approximately; a self contained and general examination of asymptotics and perturbation theory; local and global analysis of differential and difference equations, summation methods, Pade theory, asymptotic expansion of integrals; emphasis calculational rather than theoretical.

My problem is that I don't have any context for the topics described above. While I'd certainly like to take a class with the aforementioned professor, I don't want to sink a lot of time into learning things that may or may not actually be useful. Is there anyone more familiar with these topics who could give me their take on them, particularly regarding how pervasive they are in various subfields of physics?

 

[Dr Transport]

If offered the opportunity, take it. Looks like a useful course.

 

[genericusrnme]

I'd take it, if you don't feel you're ready ask someone about the prereqs then learn them.