Currently, I'm a physics major/math minor. Starting in the spring, I'm going to swap those (math major/physics minor). My current classical mechanics course with the associate chairman of the physics department is brutal. He's used to teaching at the graduate level. As one student put it, "he's a badass and knows he's a badass." His class is the hardest I've ever taken. I realized I don't like solving intricate mechanics problems using all kinds of math tricks. I do, however, like the logic behind mathematics and deriving/proving things. My vector analysis professor was exceptional at deriving things from first principles off the top of his head. At any rate, at the end of this semester I will have under my belt in total Cal I-III, Linear Algebra, ODE, Vector Analysis, Modern Physics I and II, and Classical Mechanics. In the spring, I'll be taking Probability and Thermal Physics. I put off Abstract Algebra and Intermediate Analysis since I have zero proof skills. I want to develop them before I take Abstract and Intermediate next fall.
So, my question is, what books do you recommend, or any lecture notes I can download, for that end? And let me be clear, I understand physics is difficult and pure math is equally as difficult. Part of my reason of switching is so I can graduate spring 2012. The math program at my school is much larger than the physics program, so the classes are more plentiful and compatible with my work schedule.
So, my question is, what books do you recommend, or any lecture notes I can download, for that end? And let me be clear, I understand physics is difficult and pure math is equally as difficult. Part of my reason of switching is so I can graduate spring 2012. The math program at my school is much larger than the physics program, so the classes are more plentiful and compatible with my work schedule.