The Interdisciplinary Program in
Mathematics and
Physics is designed
for a student who plans to do graduate work in an area of applied
mathematics or theoretical physics where physics and mathematics would
strongly overlap. For example, if you plan to work on computer algorithms
in a mathematics graduate program, you might want a strong physics
background in order to understand how the algorithms are applied. If you plan
to work on unified theories of strong, weak and gravitational forces in a
physics graduate program, you might want a strong mathematics background in
order to be able to read relevant work in modern mathematics.
The standard physics B.S. requires four mathematics courses, 15
physics course, and 2 science electives. The Interdisciplinary Program
requires 12 mathematics courses and 13 physics courses. The "core"
requirements for the Interdisciplinary Program are the same as for the
standard physics B.S.
Caution: Simply because you enjoyed Calculus and Ordinary
Differential Equations, do not suppose that you ought to become an Inter-
disciplinary major. In those courses, mathematics is presented as a tool;
proofs and discussions of the structure of mathematical systems are kept to
a minimum. In the Interdisciplinary Program, you must take MA 141 (Basic
Mathematical Concepts) and MA 247-248 (Advanced Calculus), courses which
discuss set theory, continuity, and convergence questions usually ignored in
applications. if you are interested primarily in the applications, you may
find MA 141 and MA 247-248 heavy going.
If you are not sure how strong you commitment is to theoretical
mathematics, start by working a minor. MA 141 is required as part of the
minor; from you reaction to this course you can judge your reaction to the
Interdisciplinary Program. Remember: most working physicists do not need to
do proofs, or read monographs in algebraic topology!
If you are not going on to graduate school, think twice before
choosing the Interdisciplinary Major. This program has graduate school
written all over it, so to speak. An employer seeing this major on your
transcript is liable to jump to the conclusion that you plan to work in
industry only 1-2 years before returning to gain experience before returning
to school. Unless you have a specific employer in mind who would appreciate
the additional mathematics background, stick to the standard B.S. plus a
mathematics minor.
If you have read this far and still feel the program fits your
interests, contact the
Undergraduate Adviser in Physics.
Here is a list of the required courses:
Physics
Mathematics
- Calculus I (MA 85)
- Calculus II (MA 86)
- Calculus III (MA 127)
- Basic Mathematical Concepts (MA 141)
- Linear Algebra (MA 147)
- Modern Algebra (MA 205)
- Probability (MA 233)
- Advanced Calculus I (MA 247)
- Advanced Calculus II (MA 248)
- Differential Equations (MA 251)
- Numerical Analysis (MA 253)
- Complex Variables (MA 347)
The core requirements for the Interdisciplinary Program follow the same
requirements as for the B.S. in Physics.
