FYS2010 – Physics in present research
Course description
Course content
Exploration of some of the most fascinating and important areas of modern physics: Quantum description of smaller and smaller scales. Gravity and general relativity. Symmetry. Particle physics. Standard Model. Grand unified theories (GUT). Supersymmetry. From particles to strings. Superstring theory. From microcosmos to macrocosmos. Cosmology. Big Bang. Dark matter and dark energy, blask holes. Antimatter. Modern physics applications. Superconductivity. Lasers. Bose-Einstein condensates. Quantum world, information and teleportation. Quantum computers. Chaos and fractals.
Learning outcome
Gain insight into physics concepts that have contributed to the current understanding of the universe at different scales. Explore some of today's research domains in physics, both fundamental and applied. Most of the hours reserved for exercises will often be used for lectures, discussions and presentations of subject chosen by students. Traditional exercises are only available for some parts of the course. The goal of the course is twofold: (i) give students some overview of where research stands today and show them some interesting and exciting directions, as well as (ii) go into some details for some chosen subjects. Students have the possibility to take part in chosing which subject should be further studied. The curriculum may in some circumstance be changed during the semeter (year's Nobel price, important highlight, special interest by student).
Admission
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
In addition to fulfilling the minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway, you must either have 2MX/2MY/3MZ and 3MX/3FY/3KJ/3BI/(2KJ+3BT)/(2BI+3BT) from Norwegian upper secondary school, or have completed equivalent studies in mathematics as well as physics, or chemistry, or biology at upper secondary school or university level at another educational institution. Read more about fulfilling special requirements.
Recommended previous knowledge
High school physics.
Teaching
The course extends over a full semester with 4 hours of teaching per week , two hours of lectures and two hours of colloquia. The course includes compulsory project work.
Examination
A written home assignement with approx. 30% weight (medio October). Project work which has to be handed in approx. one week before the final exam, with approx. 30% weight. Final oral exam including a public presentation of the project work and examination, with approx. 40% weight (primo December). Letter grade.
For detailed information about examinations at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences please see http://www.matnat.uio.no/english/studies/index.html
This subject does not offer new examination in the beginning of the subsequent term for candidates who withdraw during an ordinary examination or fail an ordinary examination. For general information about new examination, see /studier/admin/eksamen/sykdom-utsatt/mn/index.html
and http://www.matnat.uio.no/english/studies/examination/repeat.html
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Are Strandlie is the external auditor for this course till spring term 2007.
Evaluation
The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.