Topics in Contemporary Mathematical Physics

This text for advanced undergraduate or beginning graduate students explains the interrelationship between mathematics and physics primarily in linear operators, group and Lie algebra representations, topology and differential geometry. Using a mathematical presentation style, Lam (California State Polytechnic U.) combines both group theory and differential geometry in his text, and has designed the first two-thirds of the 44 chapters to be used across an undergraduate academic year. He believes the remainder, primarily on early graduate-level differential geometry, is achievable by ambitious undergraduates. Chapter topics proceed thematically from vectors and linear transformations through various algebras to symplectic structures and Hamiltonian mechanics. Each chapter includes exercises. Annotation c2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)