Professor Stuart L. Shapiro

A comprehensive, two-semester sequence on the theory of general relativity. The first semester develops the mathematical tools and the underlying physical concepts. The second semester applies the formalism to study black holes, gravitational radiation, cosmology and other topics of current interest in relativity.

The first semester is a systematic introduction to Einstein's theory, with emphasis on modern coordinate-free methods of computation. Topics include: review of special relativity, modern differential geometry, foundations of general relativity, laws of physics (e.g, electromagnetism, hydrodynamics, kinetic theory) in the presence of a gravitational field, linearized theory, and experimental tests of gravitation theories. The second semester is a continuation of the first with emphasis on applications to relativistic astrophysics and cosmology. Topics include: relativistic stars, gravitational collapse, black holes, the generation and detection of gravitational waves, numerical relativity and cosmology.

Target: The course is aimed at beginning graduate students and advanced undergraduates. No specific background is required and all the necessary mathematical machinery (e.g. differential geometry) will be developed. The course will provide all students with a firm foundation and an ability to calculate. It is designed not only for those who may wish to pursue theoretical research in relativity or astrophysics but also for experimenters and observers who need a background in relativity, as well as high-energy physicists, field theorists, mathematical and computational physicists who wish to study the structure and physical consequences of an elegant and successful nonlinear, classical gauge theory. The course will be given on alternate years.

Text: At the level of "Gravitation" by Misner, Thorne and Wheeler.