Can I teach myself physics (LQG specifically)? OK I'm a second year undergrad student...have taken the introductory Math, Phys and Computer Science classes. I LOVE physics, and always have since I was a kid and wanted to major in that initially, but I really respect the rigour and vastness of Math and how it's not limited to the physical reality but the abstract as well. And I enjoy programming and like the abstract logic in computing and find that of the three, working on computers is most meaningful for me. So now I'm thinking of doing a joint major in Math and Comp Sci...and just treating Phys as my hobby.
My question (after the rather long prologue) is, will I be able to teach myself physics (specifically stuff about quantum gravity and loop quantum gravity), considering I'll develop the Math skills or would I have to take actual classes from professors to gain intuition about the stuff in the subject?
Thanks!
 A: Anything is possible with enough persistence. The probability of correctly learning quantum physics and relativity without any help or feedback from a professor, or even watching a blackboard presentation, is nonzero. But the chances of giving up or arriving at misconceptions are a lot higher.
To learn any subject, you must focus on it. You won't learn to apply Schroedinger's Equation to an atom or a crystal if you only focus on quantum gravity. Without understanding the basics, you'll have nothing to build on.
So, in a way, in deciding not to take the introductory courses which are immediately available, it seems that you've already given up. Perhaps you can take them as electives later? Even a few semesters (introductory courses) will go a long way.
As for math… it's a language, a tool for expressing ideas. Knowing English grammar will not make you a good essayist. Typically math and physics are taught together, starting with high school calculus. The math used in computer science is essentially a different language from that in physics, because the ideas are nearly mutually exclusive. In other words, no, the "skills" won't transfer. It's still nice to learn both, though.
