Please take this page in conjunction with the Part III Guide to Courses Soft Matter and Biological Physics section.
Prerequisites and suggested literature are given per Part III course:
- Theoretical Physics of Soft Condensed Matter
- Biological Physics and Fluid Dynamics
- Stochastic Processes in Biology
The three SMBP courses offered in Part III cover an enormous diversity of physical processes and mathematical techniques; it is thus difficult to assign general prerequisites. In most cases the courses are self-contained. Below is summary of the basic prerequisites.
Prerequisite areas
- Mathematical Methods and Dynamics: needed for all courses in this area.
- Basic Fluid Dynamics: helpful for all courses.
- Basic Statistical Physics: needed for all courses.
- Basic Electromagnetism: needed for Biological Physics and Fluid Dynamics
Mathematical Methods and Dynamics
All SMBP courses require basic mathematical skills and mathematical techniques.
Relevant undergraduate courses are (for relevant schedules, example sheets and exam questions, refer to the General Resources):
- Part IA Differential Equations, Vectors & Matrices, Vector Calculus, Dynamics & Relativity
- Part IB Methods
- Part II Classical Dynamics
Useful resources
- Lecture Notes for Part IA Vector Calculus by Professors Allanach and Evans.
- Lecture Notes on separation of variables (Part IB Methods) by Professor Josza.
- Lecture Notes on Greens functions for PDEs (Part IB Methods) by Professor Josza.
Fluid Mechanics
A basic understanding of fluid mechanics is helpful, particularly for Biological Physics and Fluid Dynamics.
Relevant undergraduate courses are (for relevant schedules, example sheets and exam questions, refer to the General Resources):
- Part IB Fluid Dynamics
- Part II Fluid Dynamics II
Useful resources
- Lectures notes for Part II Fluid Dynamics II by Prof. Proctor.
Basic Statistical Physics
A basic understanding of statistical physics is important for all courses.
The relevant undergraduate course is (for relevant schedules, example sheets and exam questions, refer to the General Resources):
- Part II Statistical Physics
Useful resources
- Lectures notes for Part II Statistical Physics by Professor Tong.
Basic Electromagnetism
Certain basic electromagnetic concepts arise in BPFD.
The relevant undergraduate course is (for relevant schedules, example sheets and exam questions, refer to the General Resources):
- Part IB Electromagnetism
Useful resources
- Lectures notes for Part IB Electromagnetism by Professor Tong.
