2026-27

PHYS-45016 credit hours

Introduction to General Relativity

Physics · 3 hrs Lecture

Offered: Fall/Winter Only, Odd Year

Hard to catch. Runs in odd-numbered years only, next in 2027. Miss it and the following chance is 2029.

PHYS-4501 prerequisites

9 courses appear in this chain, up to 6 levels deep. 3 are needed whichever route you take: PHYS-1101 → PHYS-2105 → PHYS-2106

Show the chain

all of

PHYS-2105Mathematical Physics I

all of

PHYS-1101Foundations of Physics

all of

all of

Physics 40S

any one of

Pre-Calculus Mathematics 40S

Applied Mathematics 40S

any one of

all of

MATH-1103Introduction to Calculus I

any one of

Pre-Calculus Mathematics 40S

MATH-0042Mathematics Access IImin C

any one of

A minimum grade of 65% in Pre-Calculus 30S

MATH-0041Mathematics Access Imin C+

permission of the Department Chair

MATH-0040not in the 2026-27 calendar

MATH-1104Introduction to Calculus II

MATH-1103Introduction to Calculus Imin C

Its prerequisites are shown above.

MATH-1101not in the 2026-27 calendar

any one of

MATH-1101not in the 2026-27 calendar

Its prerequisites are shown above.

all of

MATH-1103Introduction to Calculus I

Its prerequisites are shown above.

MATH-1104Introduction to Calculus II

Its prerequisites are shown above.

PHYS-2106Mathematical Physics II

any one of

all of

PHYS-1101Foundations of Physics

Its prerequisites are shown above.

any one of

MATH-1101not in the 2026-27 calendar

Its prerequisites are shown above.

all of

MATH-1103Introduction to Calculus I

Its prerequisites are shown above.

MATH-1104Introduction to Calculus II

Its prerequisites are shown above.

PHYS-2105Mathematical Physics I

Its prerequisites are shown above.

Some branches run deeper than shown, open a course to follow it further.

Add your completed courses to see which of these you've already done and what you could take next. They stay on this device.

Description

This course will introduce the student to the modern theory of gravitation called General Relativity. The course begins with a thorough treatment of the role of Special Relativity in mechanics and electromagnetism using four-vectors and spacetime diagrams. A short introduction to tensor analysis will then be given. Following this, the Einstein equations will be formulated and the standard solutions will be analyzed. Using these solutions the experimental tests of General Relativity will be investigated as well as astrophysical and cosmological predictions.

Requisite courses

PHYS-2105 and PHYS-2106 [prerequisite(s)].

Restrictions

Students may not hold credit for this course and PHYS-3401 | PHYS-4502.

Note

In general, students will be expected to have or be willing to acquire a high degree of mathematical literacy. Students should consult with the instructor.

Lecture

From the 2026-27 undergraduate calendar. Always verify details on WebAdvisor or with an academic advisor before registering.