PHY405 Geometrical Methods in Physics

S. G. Rajeev




"Let no one ignorant of geometry enter here"

-- Notice posted on the door of Plato's Academy

Students are expected to know linear algebra (eg., as used in quantum mechanics ) and the calculus of several variables (partial derivatives, multidimensional integration). Some knowledge of thermodynamics, classical mechanics and quantum mechanics at the level of our junior level courses will also be assumed. There will be no examinations in the course; instead there will be some homework assignments. Reading some research papers and some advanced textbooks will be required. The course will be graded on a Pass/Fail basis for graduate students. The first part of the course will be accessible to undergraduates and to experimental physics graduate students. The later parts will aim to bring the subject up to the level of modern research papers in mathematical physics.

A summary of lectures will be posted below. Only the definitions and main results are given: the bare minimum that you must know by heart. Filling in the details on your own is actualy the best way to learn the subject.




Riemann
Bernhard Riemann

The class will meet Mondays and Wednesdays 12:30-1:45 pm in Harkness 210 during Spring 2008


Syllabus

Lecture Notes(pdf)

Spring 08 Problems (pdf)
Problem Set 5 Due April 30th posted as page 8 and 9

A page from Euclid's Elements