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datageekgh datageekgh
wrote...
12 years ago
I have already taken three physics classes; their descriptions will follow at the bottom of this. What other classes should I take if I would like to eventually take a class in quantum electrodynamics (I would like to eventually learn about Feynman's way of solving things / his formula's - I read that they can be applied to classical physics topics and are even easier computationally this way)

the classes I've taken are:    (and I have taken up to calculus III, and differential equations)

 General Physics I?Mechanics
Introduces mechanics using calculus. Topics include force and motion, work and energy, rotation, oscillations, and fluids. For students in chemistry, engineering, mathematics and physics.  


General Physics II?Electricity and Magnetism.
Introduces electricity and magnetism using calculus. Topics include charge; electric field and potential; resistance, capacitance, and inductance; DC and AC circuits; magnetic fields; laws of Gauss, Ampere and Faraday; Maxwell?s equations and electromagnetic waves; geometric optics, lenses and mirrors, interference and diffraction, and polarization. For students in chemistry, engineering, mathematics and physics.

General Physics III?Thermal and Quantum Physics.
Introduces thermodynamics and quantum physics. Topics include temperature and heat, ideal gas law, first and second law of thermodynamics, kinetic theory of gasses, entropy, relativity, quantization, the atom, solid state physics and conduction, nuclear and elementary particle physics. For students in chemistry, engineering, mathematics and physics.
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wrote...
#1
12 years ago
QED is a fantastic subject and I'm sure you have heard/read Feynman's book "QED: Strange theory of Light and Matter." If not, I highly recommend it to get the overall picture of the field.

While you do you have three courses in Physics, I feel like you would need more Math to truly help you understand it. For example, two subjects that QED constantly uses are Perturbation Theory and Renormalization Theory. These are fairly advanced mathematical subjects but if you have the patience/will, I think you can learn them on your own over a certain period of time. For Perturbation Theory, check out Bender and Orszag "Advanced Mathematical Methods for Scientists and Engineers," (A jewel in the vast field of math books) and McComb's "Renormalization Methods: A Guide for Beginners."

QED is essentially a graduate study program, so you will need more exposure to Electrodynamics and Quantum physics, hopefully from a graduate textbook. If you are not a graduate student, just check out some commonly used graduate books from the local library and start reading. Like Feynman said, "It's the jewel of Physics" but it is a HARD field to grasp so don't get frustrated if some topics take a while to fully understand.
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