if i want to study string theory at mit which course should i start with

by Ms. Nadia Bashirian IV 10 min read

That's MIT. If possible, try to attend some string theory seminars in your 3rd and 4th years as a physics major and try to see what the field is heading towards and get a feel for what are the open problems (there will be many). Also try to take some advanced math courses, in particular differential and algebraic geometry.

Full Answer

How do I get started with string theory?

First try to learn advanced mathematics like Calculus, Linear Algebra, complex analysis etc along with advanced physics. Learn Quantum Mechanics and Relativity(you need to be adept in it as though it is the back of your hand). Then slowly watch intro videos on String theory, understand them thoroughly.

What should I learn before string theory?

At a bare minimum, you'll need everything through quantum field theory and general relativity, which includes calculus of variations, complex analysis, group theory, PDEs, path integrals, differential geometry, maybe some topology and anything else I've forgotten.

What field of study is string theory?

In physics, string theory is a theoretical framework in which the point-like particles of particle physics are replaced by one-dimensional objects called strings. String theory describes how these strings propagate through space and interact with each other.

What math do I need to know for string theory?

String theorists need to know algebraic geometry , algebraic topology , moduli spaces , characteristic classes etc.

Why is string theory wrong?

The internal problems of the theory are even more serious after another decade of research. These include the complexity, ugliness and lack of explanatory power of models designed to connect string theory with known phenomena, as well as the continuing failure to come up with a consistent formulation of the theory.

How hard is string theory?

It is very very tough. Anyone interested in String Theory needs to think very very hard on what they want to do with themselves. They need to get a String Theory textbook and work through it, every problem, however long it takes.

What was Stephen Hawking's theory?

He predicted that, following the Big Bang, black holes as tiny as protons were created, governed by both general relativity and quantum mechanics. In 2014, Hawking revised his theory, even writing that " there are no black holes" — at least, in the way that cosmologists traditionally understand them.

Is string theory part of quantum physics?

String theory is an attempt to unite the two pillars of 20th century physics — quantum mechanics and Albert Einstein's theory of relativity — with an overarching framework that can explain all of physical reality.

Who is the father of string theory?

Leonard SusskindLeonard Susskind, a physicist at Stanford University, is a founding father of string theory. Students recently had a Skype conversation with this 78 year old physics legend. You were a plumber before you studied physics.

What math is used in quantum physics?

In order to study elementary quantum mechanics you must ideally have an understanding of the following mathematical ideas: Complex numbers. Partial and Ordinary differential equations. Integral calculus I-III.

What are the prerequisites for quantum field theory?

The prerequisites for quantum mechanics are calculus, linear algebra, and basic classical mechanics.

Why is K theory called K theory?

It takes its name from the German Klasse, meaning "class". Grothendieck needed to work with coherent sheaves on an algebraic variety X.