Einstein's general theory of relativity conceives of gravity as a manifestation of the geometry of spacetime. In John Archibald Wheeler's summary: "Spacetime tells matter how to move; matter tells spacetime how to curve." Differential geometry supplies the mathematical language for describing curvature. We begin by defining and building up the relevant mathematical ideas: manifolds, tensors, covariant derivatives, geodesics, and the Riemann tensor. We then apply these ideas to the physics, developing the Einstein field equation and some of its consequences, including the Schwarzschild solution and black holes, cosmology, and gravitational waves.   

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 20

Crosslisted Courses: PHYS 313

Prerequisites: (1) At least one 300-level course in mathematics and one calculus-based physics course; or (2) MATH 205 and PHYS 207; or (3) permission of the instructor. Students can receive major credit for both MATH 312 and MATH 313.

Distribution Requirements: MM - Mathematical Modeling and Problem Solving

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Fall; Not Offered