- #1
Chri
Hello, I'm about to start my last year of bachelor degree in physics, and in a few months I would like to have a clear idea of where I want to go for my master degree.
My dream since I started university is to pursue theoretical physics, in which specific field, that remains for me to definitely decide. I know it's a vast field and maybe not much can be said about it in general, but my problem is more specific: after two years I've taken two semesters of linear algebra, four of analysis, some numerical analysis, an introduction to probabilities and statistics and that's about it for the pure math courses. Looking at my third year I see nothing but physics courses (which, one could say, is normal for a physics degree).
My question is: where is all the math? Where is the all important differential geometry and tensor calculus for GR? And group theory and Lie algebras for QM? My university doesn't offer any more pure math courses during the masters degree in physics, despite offering GR and things such as relativistic QFT, courses that I feel I'm nowhere near being mathematically ready to follow.
I feel like I'm stuck on a track that will bring me towards something I wasn't really aiming for. We got lots and lots of lab hours and handwavy general physics which didn't really thrill me.
I'm starting to think that maybe I'd have been better off with a mathematics bachelor degree to have a serious shot at theoretical physics, back when I started I was way too afraid to try a double major, and I didn't really know if I had any mathematical ability, which I now think I have.
What should I do? I should point out that my uni is a relatively good one even worldwide, I would be surprised if it were to let me down that bad, maybe I misunderstood something? How do these things work usually? Should I hurry and sign up for additional math courses right now or trust the academic organization that it'll somehow work?
Thanks for your help.
My dream since I started university is to pursue theoretical physics, in which specific field, that remains for me to definitely decide. I know it's a vast field and maybe not much can be said about it in general, but my problem is more specific: after two years I've taken two semesters of linear algebra, four of analysis, some numerical analysis, an introduction to probabilities and statistics and that's about it for the pure math courses. Looking at my third year I see nothing but physics courses (which, one could say, is normal for a physics degree).
My question is: where is all the math? Where is the all important differential geometry and tensor calculus for GR? And group theory and Lie algebras for QM? My university doesn't offer any more pure math courses during the masters degree in physics, despite offering GR and things such as relativistic QFT, courses that I feel I'm nowhere near being mathematically ready to follow.
I feel like I'm stuck on a track that will bring me towards something I wasn't really aiming for. We got lots and lots of lab hours and handwavy general physics which didn't really thrill me.
I'm starting to think that maybe I'd have been better off with a mathematics bachelor degree to have a serious shot at theoretical physics, back when I started I was way too afraid to try a double major, and I didn't really know if I had any mathematical ability, which I now think I have.
What should I do? I should point out that my uni is a relatively good one even worldwide, I would be surprised if it were to let me down that bad, maybe I misunderstood something? How do these things work usually? Should I hurry and sign up for additional math courses right now or trust the academic organization that it'll somehow work?
Thanks for your help.
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