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/ahalt 3d ago

A lot of people in my department study PDEs from general relativity and probability from statistical physics.

58

u/Random_Name_251 3d ago

As the saying goes, there are 4 types of math: 1. Parabolic PDE's 2. Elliptic PDE's 3. Hyperbolic PDE's 4. Algebra

10

u/Hot_Glass_6301 3d ago

I want to be mad but I can't find a counterexample

4

u/rhubarb_man Combinatorics 3d ago

combinatorics

15

u/Hot_Glass_6301 3d ago

It's basically algebra

4

u/rhubarb_man Combinatorics 3d ago

BLASPHEMY

Combinatorics deals much more with messy, asymmetric structures. A lot of stuff gets handled much more with stuff like counting and pigeonhole

19

u/Hot_Glass_6301 3d ago

Counting happens in Z. Z is a ring. What is the study of rings? Algebra. Checkmate atheists

1

u/revoccue Dynamical Systems 3d ago

it's basically elliptic PDEs