COURSE INTRODUCTION AND APPLICATION INFORMATION


Course Name
Theory of General Relativity
Code
Semester
Theory
(hour/week)
Application/Lab
(hour/week)
Local Credits
ECTS
PHYS 424
Fall/Spring
2
2
3
5
Prerequisites
None
Course Language
English
Course Type
Elective
Course Level
First Cycle
Mode of Delivery face to face
Teaching Methods and Techniques of the Course Problem Solving
Q&A
Lecture / Presentation
Course Coordinator -
Course Lecturer(s)
Assistant(s) -
Course Objectives The main objective of this course is to provide an introduction to the general theory of relativity, which explains the emergence of gravity as a geometrical consequence of the curvature of space and time, and its applications.
Learning Outcomes The students who succeeded in this course;
  • describe the mathematical properties of the theories of special and general relativity.
  • use tensor algebra in relativistic problems.
  • solve Einstein’s field equations.
  • explain the solar system tests of general relativity.
  • discuss black holes and gravitational waves.
  • analyze cosmological models described by general relativity.
Course Description The discussions in this course will involve the topics of fundamental importance to the theory of gravitation. After developing the bases of the tensor formalism, Einstein’s field equation will be introduced, and the Schwarzschild solution to the field equations will be obtained. Observational proofs of the theory will be presented, and two important consequences of the theory will be investigated, namely, black holes and gravitational waves. Elaborations will be made on quantum gravity and cosmology.
Related Sustainable Development Goals

 



Course Category

Core Courses
Major Area Courses
X
Supportive Courses
Media and Managment Skills Courses
Transferable Skill Courses

 

WEEKLY SUBJECTS AND RELATED PREPARATION STUDIES

Week Subjects Required Materials
1 Review of special relativity Ray d’Inverno, Introducing Einstein's Relativity (Oxford University Press, New York, 1998). Chapter 2-3. ISBN: 9780198596868
2 Review of special relativity Ray d’Inverno, Introducing Einstein's Relativity (Oxford University Press, New York, 1998). Chapter 4. ISBN: 9780198596868
3 Tensor formalism Ray d’Inverno, Introducing Einstein's Relativity (Oxford University Press, New York, 1998). Chapter 5-6. ISBN: 9780198596868
4 The principle of equivalence Ray d’Inverno, Introducing Einstein's Relativity (Oxford University Press, New York, 1998). Chapter 8-9. ISBN: 9780198596868
5 Field equations in general relativity Ray d’Inverno, Introducing Einstein's Relativity (Oxford University Press, New York, 1998). Chapter 10-11. ISBN: 9780198596868
6 Einstein’s field equations Ray d’Inverno, Introducing Einstein's Relativity (Oxford University Press, New York, 1998). Chapter 12-13. ISBN: 9780198596868
7 10 December Midterm 1/Project 1 Presentations
8 The Schwarzschild solution Ray d’Inverno, Introducing Einstein's Relativity (Oxford University Press, New York, 1998). Chapter 14. ISBN: 9780198596868
9 Solar system tests of general relativity Ray d’Inverno, Introducing Einstein's Relativity (Oxford University Press, New York, 1998). Chapter 15. ISBN: 9780198596868
10 Black holes, Charged and rotating black holes Ray d’Inverno, Introducing Einstein's Relativity (Oxford University Press, New York, 1998). Chapter 16, Chapter 18-19. ISBN: 9780198596868
11 24 December Projects 2 Presentations
12 Gravitational waves Ray d’Inverno, Introducing Einstein's Relativity (Oxford University Press, New York, 1998). Chapter 20-21. ISBN: 9780198596868
13 Relativistic cosmology Ray d’Inverno, Introducing Einstein's Relativity (Oxford University Press, New York, 1998). Chapter 22. ISBN: 9780198596868
14 Cosmological models Ray d’Inverno, Introducing Einstein's Relativity (Oxford University Press, New York, 1998). Chapter 23. ISBN: 9780198596868
15 14 January Projects 3 Presentations
16 Final exam
Course Notes/Textbooks

Ray d’Inverno, Introducing Einstein's Relativity (Oxford University Press, New York, 1998). ISBN: 9780198596868

Suggested Readings/Materials

 

EVALUATION SYSTEM

Semester Activities Number Weigthing
Participation
Laboratory / Application
Field Work
Quizzes / Studio Critiques
Portfolio
Homework / Assignments
Presentation / Jury
Project
3
60
Seminar / Workshop
Oral Exam
Midterm
Final Exam
1
40
Total

Weighting of Semester Activities on the Final Grade
3
60
Weighting of End-of-Semester Activities on the Final Grade
1
40
Total

ECTS / WORKLOAD TABLE

Semester Activities Number Duration (Hours) Workload
Course Hours
(Including exam week: 16 x total hours)
16
2
32
Laboratory / Application Hours
(Including exam week: 16 x total hours)
16
2
Study Hours Out of Class
14
3
42
Field Work
Quizzes / Studio Critiques
Portfolio
Homework / Assignments
Presentation / Jury
Project
3
7
Seminar / Workshop
Oral Exam
Midterms
Final Exams
1
23
    Total
150

 

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES AND PROGRAM QUALIFICATIONS RELATIONSHIP

#
Program Competencies/Outcomes
* Contribution Level
1
2
3
4
5
1

To be able master and use fundamental phenomenological and applied physical laws and applications,

X
2

To be able to identify the problems, analyze them and produce solutions based on scientific method,

X
3

To be able to collect necessary knowledge, able to model and self-improve in almost any area where physics is applicable and able to criticize and reestablish his/her developed models and solutions,

X
4

To be able to communicate his/her theoretical and technical knowledge both in detail to the experts and in a simple and understandable manner to the non-experts comfortably,

X
5

To be familiar with software used in area of physics extensively and able to actively use at least one of the advanced level programs in European Computer Usage License,

6

To be able to develop and apply projects in accordance with sensitivities of society and behave according to societies, scientific and ethical values in every stage of the project that he/she is part in,

7

To be able to evaluate every all stages effectively bestowed with universal knowledge and consciousness and has the necessary consciousness in the subject of quality governance,

8

To be able to master abstract ideas, to be able to connect with concreate events and carry out solutions, devising experiments and collecting data, to be able to analyze and comment the results,

9

To be able to refresh his/her gained knowledge and capabilities lifelong, have the consciousness to learn in his/her whole life,

10

To be able to conduct a study both solo and in a group, to be effective actively in every all stages of independent study, join in decision making stage, able to plan and conduct using time effectively.

11

To be able to collect data in the areas of Physics and communicate with colleagues in a foreign language ("European Language Portfolio Global Scale", Level B1).

12

To be able to speak a second foreign at a medium level of fluency efficiently

13

To be able to relate the knowledge accumulated throughout the human history to their field of expertise.

*1 Lowest, 2 Low, 3 Average, 4 High, 5 Highest