Physics

The course starts with an introduction to the basic mathematical tools needed: tensors (in particular the metric tensor), index notation, and coordinate transformations. Special relativity is introduced, and a basic overview of general relativity is given. The linearized Einstein equations are discussed, and their physical degrees of freedom are identified; it is shown how this leads to a wave equation and hence gravitational waves. The basic properties of gravitational waves are studied: what polarizations they have, how they interact with matter, and the energy they carry. Next quadrupole formula, which describes how gravitational waves are generated by the motion of masses, is reviewed. An important example is the gravitational radiation emitted by two compact objects (neutron stars and/or black holes) that orbit each other, and spiral towards each other until they merge together. The course discusses how these, and other gravitational wave signals are detected with interferometers such as LIGO and Virgo, including the basics of gravitational wave data analysis: how to identify and study weak signals in noisy detector data. Finally, lectures make a connection with discoveries made by LIGO and Virgo in the past few years, and their impact on fundamental physics, astrophysics, and cosmology. The course ends with a discussion of future gravitational wave observatories such as the underground Einstein Telescope and the space-based LISA, together with the scientific output that can be expected from these.

This course examines the development of modern physical optics, with particular attention to the physical properties and applications of light in the advanced undergraduate level. It covers wave theory of electromagnetic radiations and light; geometric optics; the propagation and superposition of light waves; interference, diffraction and coherence of light; fourier optics; and some topics of modern optics.

This course provides the technical expertise on various thermal and power cycle technologies as well as the tools needed to assess and evaluate various optimized solutions. The course builds upon previous knowledge in thermodynamics theory and cycle analysis.

This course provides an introduction to astronomy, from the earliest theories through to the most current scientific knowledge of the universe. Topics include the solar system, extrasolar planets, the sun, stars and their evolution, black holes, gravitational waves and the Big Bang. There is an emphasis on the role of space-based technology in our understanding of the formation and evolution of the universe and its contents. This course is not highly mathematical or quantitative and is probably not appealing to students seeking a rigorous mathematical introduction to the subject.

The Individual Research Training Senior (IRT Senior) Course is an advanced course of the Individual Research Training A (IRT A) course in the Tohoku University Junior Year Program in English (JYPE) in the fall semester. Though short-term international exchange students are not degree candidates at Tohoku University, a similar experience is offered by special arrangement. Students are required to submit: an abstract concerning the results of their IRT Senior project, a paper (A4, 20-30 pages) on their research at the end of the exchange term, and an oral presentation on the results of their IRT Senior project near the end of the term.

This course provides fundamental physical concepts and basic mathematical tools necessary for undergraduate students of the Department of Nuclear Engineering to take core courses offered in this department successfully. The course covers the most essential parts of classical mechanics; electricity and magnetism; thermodynamics and statistical physics, and fluid mechanics. A background in college-level freshman physics and mathematics is required. 

This course studies the scientific aspects of Western (or European) music particularly focusing on its mathematical and physical aspects. The first half of the course reviews the history of European musical scales since Pythagoras, and thereby discusses how mathematics played important roles in their development. The course also covers the concept of harmony as it evolved through the intimate relations between science and music until the Renaissance. 

The second half of the course studies the physics of vibrational motions and sound waves using high-school level mathematics. Based on these, the course exposes how various musical instruments produce their characteristic sounds.  The course also provides opportunities to learn how scientific and technological advances have influenced European classical music.

This is an intermediate course in quantum mechanics with a focus on how to formulate quantum mechanical calculations. The course starts with the Dirac-notation and the fundamental postulates, then several important exactly solvable systems are treated. Finally, the course introduces various approximation methods.

This course provides an introduction to numerical methods for solving problems in physics and chemistry, including methods for solving ordinary and partial differential equations, matrix operations and eigenvalue problems, numerical integration, Monte Carlo methods, and modeling. The course also covers a short and hands-on introduction to programming in C++ and version control with git, and provides training in how to write a scientific report.