what math classes do i need?

College Majors Science Majors
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<p>So, im a highschool student. Im taking second calculus next year and ap statistics as well.(as a junior) Second semester i dont have any math. I dont have math in senior ear as well, but i love math. Idont want to stop. SoMy question is what math classes do i need to take to do physics problems that are required in graduate level quantum mechanics, particle physics, and general relativity classes.</p>

<p>And please dont say everything, because thats not helpfull. Show me math classes in order that i should take to reach that level. Thanks</p>

<p>I found a list here from this one uiversity </p>

<p><a href="http://catalog.unt.edu/content.php?filter%5B27%5D=-1&filter%5B29%5D=&filter%5Bcourse_type%5D=1208&filter%5Bkeyword%5D=&filter%5B32%5D=1&filter%5Bcpage%5D1&cur_cat_oid=11&expand=&navoid=692&search_database=Filter#acalog_template_course_filter"&gt;http://catalog.unt.edu/content.php?filter%5B27%5D=-1&filter%5B29%5D=&filter%5Bcourse_type%5D=1208&filter%5Bkeyword%5D=&filter%5B32%5D=1&filter%5Bcpage%5D1&cur_cat_oid=11&expand=&navoid=692&search_database=Filter#acalog_template_course_filter&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>In upper right corner, you have option to look at graduate level math, if necessary, feel free to include those as well. Thanks :-)</p>

2

<p>For a physics major, probably these courses:</p>

<pre><code>• MATH 1710 - Calculus I
• MATH 1720 - Calculus II
• MATH 2700 - Linear Algebra and Vector Geometry
• MATH 2730 - Multivariable Calculus
• MATH 3000 - Real Analysis I
• MATH 3410 - Differential Equations I
• MATH 3510 - Introduction to Abstract Algebra I
• MATH 3520 - Abstract Algebra II
• MATH 3610 - Real Analysis II
• MATH 3740 - Vector Calculus
</code></pre>

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<p>thanks</p>

4

<p>@unsunghero, you most definitely do not need to take analysis or abstract algebra for a physics major. Those are heavily proof based sequences that are taught in a way that is not directly useful to physicists. If you are interested in these subjects you should take them but not because you feel you have to. I’m starting my PhD in theoretical physics this year and even very mathematically oriented theorists told me that physicists can more efficiently pick up all the math they need on their own.</p>

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<p>Calculus I, II, and III. Differential equations and linear algebra. That’s just the foundational kind of stuff. </p>

<p>You’ll need partial differential equations, differential geometry (for general relativity), possibly some topology. </p>

<p>It’s important to see that the math methods in these classes can be very important for physics, but there will be a lot of material in the classes that isn’t. Physics uses the math as a means of explaining the physics. There’s a lot of rigorous proofs and derivations in many of these classes that a physicist generally does not need to concern themselves with. </p>

<p>The relevant mathematics from these classes can often be learned in a two semester “Math Methods for Physics” type of class. I’m a physics major, and I do very much want to take all of these math classes. But it’s because I have a vested interest in mathematics, not just physics. Take them because you want to (if you want to), not just because you feel like you have to. </p>