Fall 2023
Michael Kiessling
Course Description:
The course covers Newton's mechanics, Maxwell's electromagnetic field theory, and Einstein's special theory of relativity, with only a brief outlook on the general theory of relativity (that is offered by Prof. Tahvildar-Zadeh in its own course). The presentation is unlike in any textbook and contains as of yet unpublished results.
Text:
Prof. Kiessling's lecture notes will be handed out in class.
Prerequisites:
Advanced calculus / a desire to discover the mathematical secrets of the universe
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Fall 2022
Ian Jauslin
Course Description:
In this course, we will discuss the mathematical structure of Classical Physics. We will discuss Classical Mechanics, both in the Newtonian formulation, as well as the equivalent Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations. We will also cover topics in electromagnetism, and Special Relativity. We will not cover Quantum Physics, which is the subject of the follow-up course 562, but the topics covered here form the basis on which Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Field Theory are built.
The aim of this course is to develop an understanding of these topics in a mathematically rigorous way.
Text:
Michael Kiessling's lecture notes
Prerequisites:
501 or special permission by instructor
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Fall 2021
Michael Kiessling
Course Description:
The course offers a mathematically rigorous treatment of the so-called classical theories of physics, i.e. non-quantum physics (which will be covered in the follow-up course 562). Topics: Newton's non-relativistic model of the world (space and time; N point particles in space which move according to Newton's laws of motion; from atoms to stars), and its Langrangian, Hamiltonian, and Hamilton-Jacobian reformulations. Maxwell's theory of electromagnetic fields and recent developments; Einstein's special (and a bit of his general) relativity theory.
Text:
Professor Kiessling's lecture notes
Prerequisites:
501 or special permission by instructor
Schedule of Sections:
Previous Semesters:
- Fall 2019 Prof. Kiessling
- Fall 2018 Prof. Kiessling
