Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2017 - PHYS 890 G100

General Relativity and Gravitation (3)

Class Number: 8273

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 5 – Dec 4, 2017: Mon, Wed, Fri, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 8, 2017
    Fri, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Gravity and space-time, Einstein's equations and their solution, tests of relativity, black holes, stellar equilibrium and collapse, and cosmological models. Students with credit for PHYS 490 may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

TOPICS:
• Reviewofspecialrelativityandflatspacetime

• Manifolds,tensors,covariantderivatives,andcurvature

• Gravityasgeometry,geodesicmotion

• Einstein’sequations,Newtonianlimit,gravitationalwaves

• Blackholes:Schwarzschildsolution,horizons,gravitationalcollapse

• Cosmology:HomogeneousexpandingUniversemodel,largescalestructure

• EarlyUniverse:inflation,reheating,nucleosynthesis,microwavebackground

• Quantumeffects:evaporationofblackholes,primordialfluctuations

• Coolbutesotericstuff:Extradimensions,wormholes,warpdrives,timemachines

Grading

NOTES:

Your progress will be marked on absolute scale. At the end of the course, assignment and exam marks will be combined in a weighted average, from which the final grade will be derived (with thresholds to be determined by me).

The relative weights are:
Assignments 45%
Mid-term (take-home)15%
Final exam (open-book) 40%

Assignments are to be handed in on a due day by beginning of the class. Late assignments are accepted, but will be penalized at 5% of the mark per day late. Late exams will not be accepted. Failure to submit an assignment or attend an exam will result in zero marks. Attendance of lectures is at your discretion, but no notes will be provided.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Recommended Textbooks:

   
Carroll Spacetime and Geometry: An Introduction to General Relativity
Hartle Gravity: An Introduction to Einstein's General Relativity

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS