Course Description
Introduction to relativity, gravitation and cosmology in accordance with Einstein's special and general theories of relativity. Flat spacetime: Minkowski metric, time dilation, length contraction, doppler effect, twin paradox, and space travel. Curved spacetime: Schwarzchild metric, black holes and event horizons, particle and light motion, Global positioning system, precession of planetary orbits. Cosmology: hubble law, expansion of the universe, Friedman-Robertson-Walker metric, big bang, cosmological redshift, dark matter and dark energy.
Spring 2026
Instructors
Meeting Patterns
Classes Start:
January 12, 2026
Classes End:
April 28, 2026
Location:
00315 Riddick Hall
Class Days:
M W F
Class Start Time:
3:00pm
Class End Time:
3:50pm
Class Type:
Lecture
Credits:
3.00
Restrictions:
Prerequisite: C- or better in PY 203 or PY 407