Key facts
Details for course being taught in current academic year
Level M - 15 credits - autumn term
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course web pages
Course description
Course outline
(a) Brief review of special relativity
(b) Scalars, vectors and tensors
(c) Principles of equivalence and covariance
(d) Space-time curvature
(e) The concept of space-time and its metric
(f) Tensors and curved space-time; covariant differentiation
(g) The energy-momentum tensor
(h) Einstein’s equations
(i) The Schwarzschild solution and black holes
(j) Tests of general relativity
(k) Relativity in cosmology and astrophysics
Pre-requisite
Special Relativity
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, a successful student should be able to:
1. understand and give an account of the physical motivation for and the underlying principles of general relativity.
2. understand sufficiently the mathematical machinery underlying general relativity (Tensor algebra) to undertake the solution of simple quantitative problems.
3. qualitatively describe aspects of the application of general relativity to astrophysical and cosmological settings (stars, black holes and Friedmann universes)
Library
Main recommended:
Gravity: An Introduction to Einstein’s General relativity, J.B. Hartle (Addison-Wesley, 2003).
General relativity and cosmology, T. L. Chow (Wuerz, Winnipeg, 1994).
Suggested books for consultation
Introducing Einsteins relativity, R. DInverno (Oxford University Press, 1992).
Flat and curved space-times, G. F. R. Ellis and R. M. Williams (Oxford University Press, 2nd edition, 2000).
Gravitation and cosmology, S. Weinberg (Wiley, 1972).
Spacetime and Geometry: Introduction to General Relativity, Sean M. Carroll, John Neely, Richard Kibbe (Addison Wesley, 2003)
Assessments
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 30.00% | |
| Problem Sets | Autumn Week 3 | 20.00% |
| Problem Sets | Autumn Week 4 | 20.00% |
| Problem Sets | Autumn Week 6 | 20.00% |
| Problem Sets | Autumn Week 8 | 20.00% |
| Problem Sets | Autumn Week 10 | 20.00% |
| Unseen Examination | Summer Term (1 hour 30 minutes) | 70.00% |
Resit mode of assessment
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Unseen Examination | Summer Vacation (1 hour 30 minutes) | 100.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
Teaching methods
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term | LECTURE | 1 hour | 2222222222 |
| Autumn Term | CLASS | 1 hour | 1111111111 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.