- #1
jbrussell93
- 413
- 38
I'm a sophomore physics major and will be choosing classes for next semester in a couple of weeks. I was planning on taking mathematical methods because I've often heard that it makes a big difference going into the upper level classes but unfortunately, it isn't being offered next year. It has been offered every fall semester since 2006 but for some reason they aren't offering it anymore! Anyway, I now have an extra slot open and I was thinking about taking either numerical or applied analysis. It seems that numerical analysis would be more beneficial for the modeling research that I'm doing especially since I haven't taken any programming classes. On the other hand, applied analysis looking much more interesting and directly relevant to physics, though I must admit a bit intimidating... I'll probably only have the option to take one or the other so I'd like some opinions on which might be more beneficial.
For some background, I'm interested in geophysics and seismology research. I'm planning on going to graduate school for physics (geophysics).
Numerical Analysis:
Machine arithmetic, approximation and interpolation, numerical differentiation and integration, nonlinear equations, linear systems, differential equations, error analysis. Selected algorithms will be programmed for solution on computers.
Applied Analysis:
Solution of the standard partial differential equations (wave, heat, Laplace's eq.) by separation of variables and transform methods; including eigenfunction expansions, Fourier and Laplace transform. Boundary value problems, Sturm-Liouville theory, orthogonality, Fourier, Bessel, and Legendre series, spherical harmonics.
For some background, I'm interested in geophysics and seismology research. I'm planning on going to graduate school for physics (geophysics).
Numerical Analysis:
Machine arithmetic, approximation and interpolation, numerical differentiation and integration, nonlinear equations, linear systems, differential equations, error analysis. Selected algorithms will be programmed for solution on computers.
Applied Analysis:
Solution of the standard partial differential equations (wave, heat, Laplace's eq.) by separation of variables and transform methods; including eigenfunction expansions, Fourier and Laplace transform. Boundary value problems, Sturm-Liouville theory, orthogonality, Fourier, Bessel, and Legendre series, spherical harmonics.