The book assumes next to no prior knowledge of the topic. The first part introduces the core mathematics, always in conjunction with the physical context. In the second part of the book, a series of examples showcases some of the more conceptually advanced areas of physics, the presentation of which draws on the developments in the first part. A large number of problems helps students to hone their skills in using the presented mathematical methods. Solutions to the problems are available to instructors on an associated password-protected website for lecturers.

Colm T. Whelan is a Professor of Physics and an Eminent Scholar at Old Dominion University, USA. He received his PhD in Theoretical Atomic Physics from the University of Cambridge in 1985 and his ScD in 2001. He is a fellow of both the American Physical Society and the Institute of Physics (UK). He has over 25 years of experience in undergraduate teaching in both the UK and the US.