Physics

Topics in this mechanics course include: one-dimensional motion; damped and forced harmonic oscillator; central forces; elements of analytical mechanics; introduction to special relativity.

In his course, students examine the current scientific view of the origin of the Earth, the universe, matter, and life, as well as the evidence upon which these views are based. The course also covers the development of these views in different cultures and areas of uncertainty. Through team-based and independent research students learn to explain the status and results of scientific research into origins questions, and to critically evaluate the scientific evidence for these conclusions. They also consider where results and conclusions are uncertain, and where our knowledge is currently limited, as well as research an unfamiliar topic, communicating the results of this research to a non-specialist audience. 

Since the first discovery of a planet around the star 51 Pegasi in 1995, about six thousand planets have been discovered outside our solar system. This led to the conclusion that both stars and planets are common in the universe. This course is designed to learn stars and planets and is divided into three sections: Solar System Dynamics; Stellar Structure and Evolution, and Formation of Stars and Planets.

Students in this course explore some of the important conceptual and philosophical questions underlying physics and finance, like: How are assumptions about randomness compatible with observed forms of determinism? How is it possible to seek truth using statistical theories? What does it mean to be an atom? How does the quantum world differ from the everyday world? What explains why physical models have unexpected applications in finance? To what extent do such applications help to underpin how the prices of financial instruments are set? This course will proceed at a conceptual level that is suitable for students of all backgrounds: no background in physics is needed, and there is no advantage to having one.

The course introduces the scientific study of stars, the physical properties of stars, the measurements of these properties, and the relevant laws of physics. The course includes the relationship among stellar physical properties as a step towards understanding star formation and stellar evolution. Students learn advanced topics, including variable stars, supernovae, and black holes. The course requires students to take prerequisites.

In this course, students study in detail the origin and nature of the fundamental interactions generated by invariance of the Lagrangian under local gauge transformations.

This course studies and discusses different aspects of modern science using some of the magical short stories of the Argentinian writer Jorge Luis Borges. It uses Borges' work as a vehicle for discussing how our views of the world have been affected by the advances made by science in the last 100 years. In particular, the course focuses on the foundations of disciplines such as cosmology, quantum theory, statistical physics, neuroscience, and computing, as well as mathematical concepts such as combinatorics and the idea of infinity, and other notions such as the concept of time.

The course consists of two modules. Module 1, an introduction to gender science and its application to physics is worth 4.5 credits and reviews different theories within gender research. Fields like the learning of physics, the history of physics, knowledge production, and the culture of physics are analyzed from a gender perspective. Both statistical, quantitative, and qualitative analyses from socio-psychological, anthropological, and sociological studies are presented to describe sex segregation, balance of power, culture, and knowledge in physics. Module 2, a project on a gender perspective on physics is worth 3 credits. Projects include a gender analysis of one's activities in physics or an example from the department they study in or a literature study or similar in relevant fields for the course.

This course is intended for students without any or little background in physics and calculus. Important concepts in physics such as force, momentum, energy, angular momentum, and laws of conservation are introduced through Newtonian mechanics. In addition, these concepts are described in the language of mathematical equations, specifically through calculus. 

The course aims to teach Newton's laws of motion, momentum, and energy, and angular momentum as well as their conservation properties. In addition, students will be expected to be able to draw a free-body diagram, derive an equation of motion, and solve it using simple vector algebra and calculus.