MSc in Theoretical Physics, MSc in Mathematical Physics
Reading list for the MSc in Theoretical Physics, MSc in Mathematical Physics
The reading list for Theoretical Physics and Mathematical Physics is broken into two parts:
1) Assumed knowledge for MSc students entering the programme,
2) Links to the Degree Programme Tables for popular courses taken by MSc students.
The second item contains the text books used in the courses linked and can be used as guidance for students wishing to gain a better sense of a particular course, or to get a head start on the course material.
1) Assumed knowledge for MSc students entering the programme
Physics
Classical Dynamics: Our undergraduate courses cover most of the topics in Classical Mechanics, R Douglas Gregory. We assume knowledge of Lagrangian Dynamics and (preferably) some familiarity with Hamiltonian Dynamics.
Electromagnetism: The standard text for Edinburgh undergraduates is Classical Electrodynamics, DJ Griffiths. A more comprehensive text is Classical Electrodynamics, JD Jackson.
Quantum Mechanics: The recommended text at Edinburgh is Introduction to Quantum Mechanics, DJ Griffiths. A similar book is Quantum Physics, Stephen Gasiorowicz.
Special Relativity: Dynamics and Relativity, WD McComb. This book covers a lot of dynamics before moving on to special relativity. Other standard texts are Introduction to Special Relativity, W Rindler, and Introduction to the Relativity Principle, Gabriel Barton. Chapter 11 of Griffiths' Classical Electrodynamics (4th & 5th editions) also covers the topic quite well.
Statistical/Thermal Physics: A standard text that covers both topics is Statistical Physics, F Mandl. Thermal Physics, CBP Finn, covers thermodynamics in more detail. See also A Modern course in Statistical Physics, Linda Reichl.
Obviously, you don't need to know all the material in each book, but our MSc assumes some familiarity with most (i.e. more than half) of the topics in each book. You can use these references to fill gaps in your knowledge, also during the course of the MSc programme.
It is good to have some knowledge of nuclear, particle and condensed matter physics, but there is no requirement to take courses in these topics during the MSc, so they are not essential prerequisites.
Mathematics
Vector Calculus: Our MSc courses assume knowledge of standard techniques of vector calculus as covered in Chapters 10 and 11 of Mathematical Methods for Physicists by KF Riley, MP Hobson and SJ Bence (third edition).
Tensors: In our experience, many physics (and mathematics) degrees do not cover tensors in a lot of detail, especially in the way physicists use them. A physicist's treatment is Sections 1-15 of Chapter 26 of Mathematical Methods for Physicists by KF Riley, MP Hobson and SJ Bence (third edition). See also Chapter 18 of Gregory's Classical Mechanics.
Fourier Analysis: Our MSc courses assume knowledge of standard techniques of Fourier Analysis as covered in Chapters 12 and 13 of Mathematical Methods for Physicists by KF Riley, MP Hobson and SJ Bence (third edition).
Complex Analysis: Our MSc courses assume knowledge of the standard techniques of complex analysis covered in Chapter 24 of Mathematical Methods for Physicists by KF Riley, MP Hobson and SJ Bence (third edition). The material in Chapter 25 is of course useful, but you can take an optional course (Methods of Mathematical Physics), which covers it as part of the MSc.
Each year, we find that a number of MSc students have not covered complex analysis in their first degrees. You can learn the subject as you go along, but it's much better to have studied the basics before you start the MSc.
Computer Programming
Many of our dissertation projects involve computer programming, so it's useful for students to have a working knowledge of scientific programming in at least one language, for example Python, C, C++, Java, Fortran, Matlab, etc. For projects involving analytic calculations, prior knowledge of Mathematica is useful but not essential in most cases.
2) Links to the Degree Programme Tables for popular courses taken by MSc students
Details of all courses are on PATH:
MSc Astrobiology and Planetary Science
Msc Particle and Nuclear Physics
Here you can also find recommended text books for the courses you are interested in taking.
It is useful to look through one recommended text before starting each course, but not essential as most courses are self-contained and printed lecture notes are provided. Each course lecturer will provide further information on the recommended texts for their course, and they will tell you how much you may need to consult these texts.
For details of all degrees and courses at the University, see the Degree Regulations and Programmes of Study (DRPS) 2023/2024: http://www.drps.ed.ac.uk/23-24/dpt/cx_schindex.htm
Important
Note that many courses list pre-requisites. Strictly, these pre-requisites apply only to students who were undergraduates at the University of Edinburgh. Graduates of other universities should check that they took courses covering similar material in their undergraduate degrees. Your Personal Tutor will be happy to answer your questions on pre-requisites.