■ Two-Year Weekly Roadmap (M.
Sc + ICTS PhD
Prep)
■ Phase I (Weeks 1–16) – Foundation Strengthening
Weeks Topics References Problems/Tasks
Classical: Lagrangian, Noether’s theorem Landau Vol.1, Goldstein Ch.1–2
Quantum: Wave mechanics, operators Sakurai Ch.1–2
E&M: Electrostatics, Green’s functions Griffiths EM Ch.1–2
1–4 Math: Linear algebra basics Arfken Ch.3 JEST/TIFR: Lagrangian problems, particle in box
Classical: Central forces, Kepler Goldstein Ch.3, Landau Ch.2–3
Quantum: Spin-½, two-level systems Cohen-Tannoudji Vol.I Ch.2–3
E&M: Magnetostatics, vector potentials Jackson EM Sec.1.5–2.1
5–8 Math: Complex analysis (residues) Arfken Ch.14 Problems: Hydrogen atom, Landau levels, vector
Classical: Rigid body dynamics Goldstein Ch.4–5
Quantum: Angular momentum, Clebsch–Gordon Sakurai Ch.3–4
E&M: Maxwell’s equations, waves Jackson Ch.6–7
9–12 Math: PDEs (Laplace, wave, diffusion) Mathews & Walker Ch.5 Problems: Angular momentum addition, Maxwell
Classical: Hamiltonian mechanics, Liouville theorem Goldstein Ch.8–9, Landau Ch.5–6
Quantum: Perturbation theory (TI & TD) Sakurai Ch.5–6
E&M: Radiation (dipole, Larmor) Jackson Ch.9–11
13–16 Math: Fourier & Laplace transforms Arfken Ch.15 Problems: Stark/Zeeman effects, dipole radiation
■ Phase II (Weeks 17–32) – Advanced Core Physics
Weeks Topics References Problems/Tasks
QM II: Identical particles, second quantization Sakurai Ch.7, Cohen-Tannoudji [Link]
Comp Physics: ODE solvers Newman Computational Physics
CM I: Crystal structure Ashcroft & Mermin Ch.1–2
17–20 Stat Mech I: Ensembles, thermodynamics Pathria Ch.1–2 Problems: Pauli exclusion, Runge-Kutta ODEs, la
QM II: WKB, variational, scattering Sakurai Ch.7–8
Comp Physics: PDE solvers Newman Ch.4–6
CM I: Band theory Ashcroft & Mermin Ch.8–9
21–24 Stat Mech I: Classical gases, equipartition Pathria Ch.3–4 Problems: Born approx, Kronig–Penney model, e
QM II: Path integrals, Berry phase Feynman Path Integrals
Comp Physics: Monte Carlo, Ising model Kardar Stat Mech
CM I: Phonons, Debye theory Ashcroft & Mermin Ch.22–23
25–28 Stat Mech I: Fermi & Bose gases Pathria Ch.5–6 Problems: Path integral for HO, Monte Carlo Ising
QM II: Relativistic QM (Dirac, KG) Bjorken & Drell, Sakurai Relativistic QM
CM I: Superconductivity & magnetism Ashcroft & Mermin superconductivity
Stat Mech I: Phase transitions Pathria Ch.8
29–32 Mock Exam: JEST/TIFR full paper Past JEST/TIFR papers Full mock exam practice
■ Phase III (Weeks 33–48) – Research-Level Expansion
Weeks Topics References Problems/Tasks
QFT I: Scalar & Dirac quantization Peskin Ch.2–3
Math II: Group theory basics Gilmore Group Theory
Stat Mech II: Ising, mean field Kardar Stat Mech Ch.1–2
33–36 Particle I: Quark model, SU(3) Halzen & Martin Ch.1–2 Problems: KG field quantization, SU(2) algebra, m
QFT I: Wick’s theorem, Feynman diagrams Peskin Ch.4–5
Math II: Complex analysis advanced Bender & Orszag Ch.2–3
Stat Mech II: 2D Ising, Onsager solution Stanley Phase Transitions
37–40 Particle I: Scattering theory Halzen & Martin scattering Problems: Draw Feynman diagrams, Onsager cri
QFT I: QED basics, renormalization intro Peskin Ch.6–7
Math II: Probability, stochastic Van Kampen Stochastic Processes
Stat Mech II: RG, ε-expansion Ma Modern Critical Phenomena
41–44 Particle I: Weak interactions, CP violation Halzen & Martin weak interactionsProblems: RG fixed point calculations, CP violatio
QFT I: Path integrals, functional methods Peskin Ch.9–10
Stat Mech II: Broken symmetry, Goldstone modes Chaikin & Lubensky Ch.3–5
Particle I: QCD basics Halzen & Martin QCD
45–48 Mock interview practice ICTS interview problems Explain Ising 1D no phase transition, Goldstone t
■ Phase IV (Weeks 49–104) – Specialization & ICTS Focus
Weeks Topics References Problems/Tasks
QFT II: Non-abelian gauge fields, BRST Peskin Ch.12–13
Elective: Cosmology/Condensed/Quantum Info Weinberg QFT, Wald GR
49–52 Project: Literature review Choose elective texts Project reading + weekly notes
QFT II: Renormalization group, asymptotic freedom Weinberg QFT Vol.2
Elective: Advanced topics Preskill Quantum Info
53–56 Project: Draft results Relevant elective Solve RG equations, present draft results
QFT II: Topological solutions (instantons, monopoles) Rajaraman Solitons & Instantons
57–60 Project: Presentation prep Coleman Aspects of Symmetry Problems: Derive instanton tunneling amplitude
Revision of core subjects (Mech, QM, E&M, Stat)
Mock interviews
61–64 Finalize project report Landau, Sakurai, Jackson, PathriaFull mock interviews weekly
Solve past TIFR GS + JEST papers (2005–2025)
65–80 Identify weak areas Past papers archive Timed exams
81–88 Deep revision of QM, Stat Mech, E&M Sakurai, Pathria, Jackson Conceptual oral explanations
Mock interviews (friends/mentors)
89–96 Explain concepts aloud ICTS style problems Weekly oral exams
Read ICTS faculty papers in chosen area
97–104 Prepare SOP for PhD arXiv, ICTS lectures Draft & refine SOP