ACM40750 Gen Relativity & Black Holes

Academic Year 2023/2024

The course is intended as an elementary introduction to general relativity, Einstein’s theory of gravitation, and the new insights that it provides into the nature of space-time. The lectures will review Newtonian gravitation, physics in curved space-time and the Einstein field equations. It will study the applications of general relativity to planetary motion, the bending of light, and the existence of black holes.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

• Explain the equivalence principle.
• Understand local inertial coordinates.
• Perform calculations in tensor calculus in curved space-time.
• Derive the Einstein field equations.
• Understand the connection between geodesics and curvature.
• Determine black hole solutions.
• Understand the three classical test of General Relativity.
• Explain the Kruskal extension to the Schwarzschild solution and the structure of black holes.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

30

Tutorial

6

Specified Learning Activities

20

Autonomous Student Learning

50

Total

106

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures, tutorials, enquiry and problem-based learning 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Differential Geometry (ACM40090)

Learning Exclusions:

PHYC40120 - General Relativity & Cosmology


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
PHYC40120 - General Relativity & Cosmology


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Continuous Assessment: Take-home assignments and in-class tests Throughout the Trimester n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

40

Examination: End of semester exam 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

60


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Graded assignments will be returned to students and solutions will be discussed during tutorials.

Name Role
Mr Jake Williams Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Autumn
     
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Fri 14:00 - 14:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Thurs 15:00 - 15:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Tues 11:00 - 11:50
Autumn