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PHYC40120

Academic Year 2026/2027

General Relativity & Cosmology (PHYC40120)

Subject:
Physics
College:
Science
School:
Physics
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Martin Grunewald
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module introduces the theory of General Relativity, the relativistic formulation of gravity. Based on the equivalence principle, Einstein's field equations of General Relativity are discussed, including their mathematical foundation in differential geometry as needed. Linearised field equations are derived to describe weak gravitational fields, to make contact with Newton's theory of gravity, and to explain gravitational waves. The classical tests of General Relativity, in the solar system and beyond, are analysed, including current experiments to detect gravitational waves. Exact solutions of Einstein's field equations are presented, such as the static Schwarzschild solution and its black hole interpretation. Kinematics of a continuum matter distribution and isotropic cosmological models are discussed, with an emphasis on the past and future evolution of the universe.

This module is suitable for 4th-year undergraduate and graduate students, of all areas of physics and astronomy.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

To gain an understanding of the abstract theory of General Relativity and an ability to solve problems. This course is a necessary preparation for further study in General Relativity and Cosmology, Relativistic Astrophysics, and String Theory.

Indicative Module Content:

The following topics are covered, following the chapters of the main course book:
1) The spacetime of special relativity
2) Manifolds and coordinates
3) Vector calculus on manifolds
4) Tensor calculus on manifolds
5) Special relativity revisited
7) The equivalence principle and spacetime curvature
8) The gravitational field equations
9) The Schwarzschild geometry
10) Experimental tests of general relativity
11) Schwarzschild black holes
14) The Friedmann-Robertson-Walker geometry
15) Cosmological models
17) Linearised general relativity
18) Gravitational waves

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

48
Autonomous Student Learning

42
Lectures

36
Total

126

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures, student learning, homework sets, final exam. Use of AI in assessment is not permitted.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Exclusions:

This module (PHYC 40120) can not be taken by students who have taken the module ACM40750 (General Relativity and Black Holes).

This module (PHYC40120) and the module ACM40750 (General Relativity and Black Holes) can not both be taken.

Learning Recommendations:

1) Classical Mechanics (Lagrangian, Hamiltonian, central-force motion)
2) Special Relativity (Lorentz Transformations, relativistic energy / momentum / mass, 4-vector notation, 4-tensors)
3) Electromagnetism


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
ACM40750 - Gen Relativity & Black Holes


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Five take-home problem sets, distributed over the term, with submission deadlines planned as shown (Schedule Details). The total weight is 5*4% = 20%. Week 3, Week 5, Week 7, Week 9, Week 11 Alternative non-linear conversion grade scale 50% No
20
 No
Exam (In-person): In-person exam in the exam centre (usually RDS). End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Alternative non-linear conversion grade scale 50% No
80
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Required book:
General Relativity: An Introduction for Physicists,
M.P.Hobson, G.Efstathiou and A.N.Lasenby,
Cambridge University Press.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Mon 11:00 - 11:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Thurs 09:00 - 10:50
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