PHYS 4445

Last Updated

  • Schedule of Classes - June 11, 2025 2:48PM EDT

PHYS 4445
Introduction to General Relativity

Course information provided by the 2025-2026 Catalog.

One-semester introduction to general relativity that develops the essential structure and phenomenology of the theory without requiring prior exposure to tensor analysis. General relativity is a fundamental cornerstone of physics that underlies several of the most exciting areas of current research, including relativistic astrophysics, cosmology, and the search for a quantum theory of gravity. The course briefly reviews special relativity, introduces basic aspects of differential geometry, including metrics, geodesics, and the Riemann tensor, describes black hole spacetimes and cosmological solutions, and concludes with the Einstein equation and its linearized gravitational wave solutions. At the level of Gravity: An Introduction to Einstein's General Relativity by Hartle.


Distribution Requirements (CHPH-AG, OPHLS-AG), (PHS-AS, SMR-AS)

Last 3 terms offered 2024FA, 2023FA, 2022FA

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Choose one lecture and one discussion. Combined with: ASTRO 4445

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  2563 PHYS 4445   LEC 001

  •  
    • TR
    • Aug 25 - Dec 8, 2025

    • McAllister, L

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    For Physics course enrollment help, please see: https://physics.cornell.edu/enrollment-guide.

  •  3293 PHYS 4445   DIS 201

  •  
    • M
    • Aug 25 - Dec 8, 2025

    • McAllister, L

  • Instruction Mode: In Person