FY831: Introduction to quantum gravity
Study Board of Science
Teaching language: Danish or English depending on the teacher, but English if international students are enrolled
EKA: N510039102
Assessment: Second examiner: Internal
Grading: 7-point grading scale
Offered in: Odense
Offered in: Spring
Level: Master
STADS ID (UVA): N510039101
ECTS value: 5
Date of Approval: 04-11-2021
Duration: 1 semester
Version: Approved - active
Comment
Entry requirements
Academic preconditions
Academic preconditions. Students taking the course are expected to: Have knowledge of quantum mechanics.
Course introduction
The aim of the course is to enable the student to understand the basics of quantum gravity, which is a research area in modern theoretical physics.
The course builds on the knowledge acquired in the courses quantum mechanics and complements the courses on cosmology and quantum field theory which are part of the education.
In relation to the competence profile of the degree it is the explicit focus of the course to:
- Give the students the skills and knowledge to work on a master's thesis or PhD thesis in this field
- Give knowledge in and understanding of fundamental aspects of quantum gravity
- Give skills to perform analytical calculations with methods of quantum field theory
- Provide a scientific understanding for some of the most fascinating topics in theoretical physics to strengthen both research skills, as well as teaching skills.
Expected learning outcome
The learning objective of the course is that the student demonstrates the ability to:
- Key aspects of General Relativity
- Key aspects of perturbative quantum field theory
- Canonical quantization of the metric
- Gravitational waves and the graviton
- Gauge fixing
- Loop corrections and power counting
Content
The following main topics are contained in the course:
- Key aspects of General Relativity: Metric, Newtonian limit, action, equations of motion
- Motivation for Quantum Gravity: Singularities of General Relativity
- Bronstein cube and quantum gravity in relation to quantum theory and General Relativity
- Perturbative quantization of a field: Canonical quantization of a scalar field and the relation between particles and fields
- Quantization of gravity in perturbation theory
- Gravitational waves and the graviton
- Gauge fixing
- Loop corrections and power counting
- Non-renormalizability and the problem of predictivity
- Overview of current approaches to quantum gravity
Literature
Examination regulations
Exam element a)
Timing
January
Tests
Oral examination
EKA
N510039102
Assessment
Second examiner: Internal
Grading
7-point grading scale
Identification
Student Identification Card
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Examination aids
To be announced during the course
ECTS value
5
Indicative number of lessons
Teaching Method
The teaching method is based on three phase model.
- Intro phase: 22 hours
- Skills training phase: 20 hours, hereof tutorials: 20 hours
Activities during the study phase:
- Solution of weekly assignments in order to discuss these in the exercise sections.
- Self study of various parts of the course material.
- Reflection upon the intro and training sections.
Teacher responsible
Timetable
Administrative Unit
Team at Educational Law & Registration
Offered in
Recommended course of study
Transition rules
Transitional arrangements describe how a course replaces another course when changes are made to the course of study.
If a transitional arrangement has been made for a course, it will be stated in the list.
See transitional arrangements for all courses at the Faculty of Science.