Road to String Theory I have a question for our theoretic SuperUsers. How much knowledge and which fields of physics you have to know to start studying string theory? I am now on QFT, after I think I'll start study Supersymmetry or maybe special cases of QED. How much more should I know to start Strings? :)
What should a physics undergrad aspiring to be a string theorist learn before grad school? The question I guess is pretty clear. I am a physics undergrad wishing to pursue research in quantum gravity(string theory?). What are the subjects I should learn other than the usual compulsory undergrad courses such as quantum mechanics, and GR, etc? Things that come to my mind are QFT, lie algebras, differential geometry, algebraic geometry etc? Other than this, could you suggest any topic that are not entirely essential but interesting in mathematical physics, gauge theory etc (e.g. solitons, monopoles etc). Actually I am looking for a mini project of sorts which would give me an idea of what these fields really are. I have done some lie algebras, classical field theory and am currently studying QM.
A beginner's guide to SQL database design Do you know a good source to learn how to design SQL solutions?  Beyond the basic language syntax, I'm looking for something to help me understand:   What tables to build and how to link them How to design for different scales (small client APP to a huge distributed website) How to write effective / efficient  / elegant SQL queries