MAT 569  Differential Geometry II: General Relativity Spring 2011

Instructor. Michael Anderson, Math 4-110.
E-mail: anderson@math.sunysb.edu, Phone: 632-8269.
Lectures: MW: 11:40-12:50, in Math 4-130.

Office Hours. Tu/Th/F 2-3pm, and by appointment.

Course Description. This continuation of MAT 568 will be an introduction to basic aspects of General Relativity. Similarities and differences with Riemannian geometry will be emphasized. Topics to be covered may evolve during the semester, depending on students' interest, but include the list below. We also hope to discuss some of the important research issues and open problems within the class.

• Introduction and basic concepts of GR.
• Special solutions, including Schwarzschild and standard cosmological spacetimes.
• Discussion of initial value problem, constraint equations, evolution problem, cosmic censorship issues.
• Singularity theorems.

Prerequistes MAT 568 or the equivalent.

Text. No fixed text will be used. There are however many excellent texts, both mathematical and physically oriented. Some of these include:

• R. Wald, General Relativity, U. Chicago Press.
• S. Hawking and G. Ellis, The Large Scale Structure of Space-Time, Cambridge U. Press.
• C. Misner, K. Thorne and J. Wheeler, Gravitation, Freeman Press.
• S. Weinberg, Gravitation and Cosmology.
• Bernard Schutz, General Relativity.

Assignments and Grading. No formal HW assignments will be given. Grades will be based on interest and class discussions.

Americans with Disability Act. If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that may impact your course work, please contact Disabled Student Services in ECC (Educational Communications Center) Building, Room 128, (631) 632-6748, webpage at: DSS. They will determine with you what accomodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation is confidential.

Students who require assistance during emergency evacuation are encouraged to discuss their needs with their professors and Disabled Student Services. For procedures and information, go the following website: http://www.ehs.sunysb.edu/fire/disabilities/asp, here