Study/reading tips for a late starter

[Boulderbrow]

Hi,

This is my first post. I've been mulling over whether to go back to university and study physics for years now. I've always had a passing fascination but have been constantly aware that I'm picking up the glamourous 'new scientist' end of the field and that real physics is, in all probability, far away from the image the media portrays.
Anyway, I'm now 27 and I've, rather obviously, decided that I'll never find out if it is more than an interest without taking some steps to study it - I have As in high school maths and physics and a B in A level maths (I'm UK based), I did my degree in music! (*ducks*). Can anyone suggest any books or primer sources, videos etc which may be a good place to start?

Thanks

 

[Troponin]

Hi,

This is my first post. I've been mulling over whether to go back to university and study physics for years now. I've always had a passing fascination but have been constantly aware that I'm picking up the glamourous 'new scientist' end of the field and that real physics is, in all probability, far away from the image the media portrays.
Anyway, I'm now 27 and I've, rather obviously, decided that I'll never find out if it is more than an interest without taking some steps to study it - I have As in high school maths and physics and a B in A level maths (I'm UK based), I did my degree in music! (*ducks*). Can anyone suggest any books or primer sources, videos etc which may be a good place to start?

Thanks

http://www.phys.uu.nl/~thooft/theorist.html

 

[mal4mac]

Open University? With your academic experience and maths A level you could probably jump straight in at:

http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/course/s207.htm

Or take a physics A level at your nearest technical college.

These routes would be effective primers & "ground testers", and give you a start on getting a physics degree, if you still want to proceed in that direction!

The world of music looks really glamorous to me - more so than the world of physics - listening to classical music is my favourite hobby. Did music lose any glamour for you through taking a professional interest in it? Physics lost a lot of glamour for me after trudging along the professional physics treadmill... You might be better sticking to New Scientist...

 

[Duderonimous]

Go for it man...I was majoring in music and I spent quite a bit of time pursuing that. Although I did not get a degree I have around 2 and 1/2 years worth of classes under my belt. This did not work so well. I had a knack for math and the sciences. I first started out thinking engineering, but now I have focused on pursing physics. I was advised by my professor that obtaining a doctorate in physics is one of the hardest degrees you will ever pursue but I am fascinated by it. I want to get a bachelors and then pursue a PhD. I am currently 23 years old so I am more of less in the same boat. I will be in classes with a bunch of kids who are younger then me but who cares. The subject matter will be more then worth it.

You are still young what do you have to lose? Don't be stuck doing something you don't really like. If you feel this is your calling you should heed it and at least take a couple classes and see how you like it.

Also if you do pursue physics be fervent! I've have had a lot of class mates tell me how they really like the physics and that they want to pursue physics but when it came time to perform they didn't have the discipline to study continually all the time. Reading "The Elegant Universe" by Brian Greene is one thing, but actually doing the physics problems is a different thing, which at times can be extremely frustrating but, when you solve them gives you great satisfaction. You can't be a bass player in a funk band while pursuing it either it won't work (or anything else extracurricular), I tried and it did not work so I had to quite the band and it was sad but worth it. You have to become a monk. Have coffee at hand and sit at a desk for 6-8 hours a day if not more. Serious!

Anyway I am rambling but here is a quote from Charles Baudelaire:

"It is necessary to work, if not from inclination, at least from despair. Everything considered, work is less boring than amusing oneself."

Good luck!

P.S. Teaching yourself via the internet can't really replace taking a class taught by a professor. You have a certain sense of urgency in the class that you don't have when teaching yourself.

 

[Boulderbrow]

Troponin - Thanks for sharing the link, I suspect there's a good few years of study just on that website alone!

mal4mac - Thanks, looks like a great place to start, I think I may get a few A level books to scope out some more fundamental aspects to start with then try and get onto the course.

Studying music didn't lose it's glamour for me, in fact, it lead me to appreciate it a lot more. However the 'world of music' can be pretty superficial and it isn't that glamorous being stuck in a touring van all day and setting up your own equipment! I guess it's a case of grass is always greener.

Duderonimous - Thanks for the kind words. Funnily enough I play bass in a funk band, so I can understand the sacrifice you made! Definately agree about not doing something you don't enjoy, hope to find out one way or another. Looks like I have my work cut out