Syllabus for |
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| FFM485 - String theory |
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| Owner: TTFYA |
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5,0 Credits (ECTS 7,5) |
| Grading: TH - Five, Four, Three, Not passed |
| Level: D |
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Department: 17 - FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS
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Teaching language: English
Minimum participants: 5
Maximum participants: 20
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Credit distribution |
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Examination dates |
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Sp1 |
Sp2 |
Sp3 |
Sp4 |
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No Sp |
| 0101 |
Written and oral assignments |
5,0 c |
Grading: TH |
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5,0 c
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In programs
TTFYA ENGINEERING PHYSICS, Year 4 (elective)
Examiner:
Professor
Bengt E W Nilsson
Eligibility:
For single subject courses within Chalmers programmes the same eligibility requirements apply, as to the programme(s) that the course is part of.
Course specific prerequisites
Quantum mechanics (FKA 081) and Special relativity are highly recommended, while Gravitation and cosmology (FFM 071), Advanced quantum mechanics (FFM 400) and Group theory are useful courses but not necessary to follow course.
Aim
The purpose of this course is to give an gentle introduction to string theory and the fundamental questions about nature that can only be answered
using strings. This is done using a minimum
of advanced mathematical methods.
Content
The course String theory (spring 2003) is a more stream-lined and less demanding course than the version taught in 2002. It begins with an introductory discussion of the
fundamental problems encountered when trying to understand our universe in terms of standard (quantum) field theory methods, and how string theory may solve them.
String theory is then introduced and some of its properties studied. In particular the conformal field theory formulation, low energy supergravity theories, scattering
amplitudes, extra dimensions and how their compactifications can be related to elementary particles. D-branes and non-perturbative aspects are introduced and the
connection to eleven dimensional M-theory briefly explained.
Organisation
Two lectures and an exercise class per week.
Literature
Lecture notes and some recommended review articles on the net. See home page of the lecturer
fy.chalmers.se/~tfebn/ and the link to the Master course on
String theory/M theory.
Examination
Home problems plus an optional oral
examination.