Physics

This course offers a study of the basic phenomena of classical physics including fundamental concepts of fluids, thermodynamics, and waves. Topics include: fluid statics; fluid dynamics; calorimetry; heat transfer; thermodynamics of an ideal gas; wave motion; superposition of waves; sound waves.

In this course, students achieve an understanding and appreciation, in as integrated a form as possible, of some mathematical techniques which are widely used in theoretical physics.

In this course, students learn how to formulate the linear theory of structure formation in the CDM model, obtain solutions in simple model cases of a one component universe; explain the problems of big bang cosmology and the way to solve them in inflationary theory; calculate basic cosmological parameters in inflationary slow roll models; indicate the relations of the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation and cosmological parameters; and discuss the evidence for an accelerating universe and the possible role of dark energy.

This course covers the basics in geophysics, particularly the following three specific sub-areas: solid earth physics, fluid earth physics, and space physics. 

(1) Solid Earth Physics: Selected topics from seismology, volcanology, and plate tectonics for the purpose of learning basic knowledge on the structure and dynamics of the solid Earth. 

(2) Fluid Earth (atmosphere and ocean) Physics: Selected topics from meteorology, global warming, and physical climatology for the purpose of learning basic knowledge on climate change and related global environment problems. 

(3) Space Physics: Selected topics from solar physics, interplanetary physics, magnetospheric physics, and upper atmospheric physics for the purpose of learning basic knowledge on the electromagnetic environment of the Sun, the Earth, and planets.

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.