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

The course is not offered Spring 2022.

Entry requirements

A bachelor's degree in physics.

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

See itslearning for syllabus lists and additional literature references.

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

42 hours per semester

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

Name E-mail Department
Astrid Eichhorn eichhorn@cp3.sdu.dk Fysik

Timetable

Administrative Unit

Fysik, kemi og Farmaci

Team at Educational Law & Registration

NAT

Offered in

Odense

Recommended course of study

Profile Education Semester Offer period

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.