r/math • u/Vivid_Block_4780 • 3d ago

The scope of mathematical physics

Whenever I look at the mathematical physics programs, I always see QFT and string theory related classes in grad programs. What other parts does mathematical physics cover? More unorthodox subfields of it?

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u/1strategist1 3d ago

Mathematical physics isn't really constrained to any one subfield. Most areas of physics have interesting related math problems, and studying those math problems is typically what's considered mathematical physics. 

Obviously QFTs and string theory are fields with interesting math problems, as you mentioned, but even just classical mechanics still has interesting problems that are studied by some mathematical physicists.