Last updated 28 January 2002
Mark Haskins
|
Geometry and Relativity 110.408, ThF 10.30-11.45, Shaffer 304 Dr Mark Haskins E-mail address: mhaskin@math.jhu.edu Telephone: 410-516-4047 Department: Mathematics Office: Krieger 312 Office Hours: TBA TA/grader: Mike Krebs Office: ??? Office hours: TBA |
|
HW 3: Postscript or PDF versions. HW 4: Postscript or PDF versions. HW 5: Postscript or PDF versions. Partial solutions to some HW problems are available here: HW solns |
|
This course is designed to introduce students to the main physical and mathematical ideas involved in the Theory of General Relativity. The mathematics involved is principally differential geometry. The course will try to stress the geometric nature of the physical theory. A preliminary syllabus can be found below. |
|
The main text for the course is "Introducing Einstein's Relativity" by Ray D'Inverno. To help visualize geometric objects and to aid some calculations we shall use the computer software Mathematica. The book "Modern Differential Geometry of Curves and Surfaces with Mathematica" by Alfred Gray is a very useful guide to exploring differential geometry via Mathematica. |
|
The formal prerequisites for the class are Calculus III, Linear Algebra and General Physics II. The course does not assume knowledge of either Special Relativity or Differential Geometry. |
|
Homework, 30%: Assigned weekly on Thursday, due the following Thursday and to be returned the Thursday after that. Some problems may not be graded. No late homework accepted without a doctor's note. You may consult with classmates but be sure to do most of the work yourself and to write your solutions on your own. Later homework will include some Mathematica-based computer assignments. The best 10 homework scores will be used for your grade. Midterm Exam, 20%: Part in-class, part take-home. In-class during week following Spring Break. Take-home over the weekend immediately following the in-class exam. Due Monday at noon. Further details will be announced. Self-study section, 15%: Details of this section will be discussed during the first class. Final Exam, 35%: during exam period. Further details will be announced. |
|
A preliminary syllabus |
| Last updated 28 January 2002 Mark Haskins |