/sci/ - Science & Math

[Anonymous No.3738192]

What math classes did you complete by the time you graduated (I'm most interested in hearing from Physics or Comp Sci people)


I'm in my senior year, so far I have:

Calc 1-3
ODE
Linear Algebra
Probability and Statistics I
Discrete
Numerical Analysis

And I'm currently taking Complex Analysis


Technical, I've done all the math required of me. I'd still like to take another math course or two next semester though, since I pretty much have an open semester.

Is Abstract Algebra or Real Analysis useful in graduate level physics?

What about more proof heavy courses, like Numbers&Proofs or Topology?

[Anonymous No.3738196]

I took abstract algebra in first year. It is teh fun.

[Anonymous No.3738208]

Abstract Algebra especially Group Theory is used everywhere in theoretical physics.

[Anonymous No.3738250]

During my Comp Sci course we didn't need to do too much math, mostly number theory and linear algebra.
I did a lot of math on the side though, mostly proof heavy courses like analysis and topology.
They are pretty hard compared to the other math stuff I had during Comp Sci, so anyone that doesn't really like math shouldn't even bother with them.

[Josef crossed the Atlantic !!nUf2NflSAyw No.3738272]

>>3738192 Is Abstract Algebra or Real Analysis useful in graduate level physics?
>Abstract algebra
Not really. It's not useless, you may be able to recognize it somewhere, but it's not a requirement at all.
>Analysis
You'll be integrating all day long if you're going for theory in most places. What you're practically doing has only little to do with math, it's more about finding good approximations and effective ways of solving a problem. However, having background knowledge makes it way easier to get into new stuff.

[Josef crossed the Atlantic !!nUf2NflSAyw No.3738278]

>>3738208 Abstract Algebra especially Group Theory is used everywhere in theoretical physics.
Group theory appears in many places, but not many people understand it on a mathematical level, it's more of a working knowledge according to my experience.

[Anonymous No.3738286]

I took algebra and real analysis. Abstract algebra should be useful for grad physics but it depends on the topic you focus on. I don't think experimental physics does a lot with group theory.

Real analysis I don't think is directly useful towards physics. But it does improve your proofs skills and I thought it was a very useful and cool class.

I never took topology. It might be useful if you are going to learn differential geometry (not all that useful). It sounds like an interesting class though, especially I think after you take a real analysis course.

[Anonymous No.3738313]

>>3738250

I was asking about Comp Sci math classes because I want to do computational physics in grad school. Just wanting to know if there were any courses I should take to aid my programming.

[Anonymous No.3738315]

I took:

Calc 3, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Numerical Analysis, Probability/stat, abstract algebra 1 + 2, real analysis 1 + 2, topology, automata theory/complexity theory, number theory, optimization, logic/set theory, complex analysis, independent study on cellular automata (and automata theory in biology), biostat, graph theory, and graduate level Analysis (+ measure theory). Also did some study in category theory and lots of readings in logic.

Currently in 1st year of grad school doing theoretical biology

>biology
>not a science

it will be once I'm done with it, pic related

[Anonymous No.3738326]

I dids a math major along with my EE, so I gots to take a alot :)

Calc 1-3, Diff Eq
Adv Cal 1-2 <- 2 semesters of deriving (differential and integral) calc
Complex Analysis
Linear/Non-linear ODE's
Linear Algebra 1-2
Stat (intro)
Mathematical Modeling
Abstract Algebra
Modern Geometry <- not really modern, spent all semester deriving neutral geometry, 4 weeks of euclidean, 3 for hyperbolic
Encryption/Cryptography
Fourier Series/Wavelets
Numerical Analysis
Tensors (with focus on relativity)

[Anonymous No.3738367]

QUESTION FOR OP!

How difficult is discrete math? I blew through calculus last year with relative ease.

[Anonymous No.3738403]

>>3738367
if it just talks about things like combinatorics, recursion, primes/modular arithmetic (basic number theory) it should be easy

if it goes into detail about logic and computer science stuff it might be hard