PH 207 Special Theory of Relativity(2019-20)

Course Instructor :Prof Vikram Rentala

Course Name:Special Theory of Relativity

Course Type:Core

Credits: 3

Pre-requisites:Formal - No prerequisites

Informal - Linear Algebra, Calculus

Course Content: Basic Postulates of Special Relativity

Time and length interval between events
Simultaneity of events
Doppler Shift
Space-time diagrams
Generalized Newton's Laws and Energy-momentum conservation
Tensors and Maxwell's equations

Books: Introduction to Special Relativity by Robert Resnick

Lectures:Attendance Policy: None

Lectures: Blackboard
Prof Rentala covered the entire portion on time and in complete details and was helpful for solving doubts too. But last topic of 'Tensors and Maxwell's equations' were not covered properly and were left for 'Self Study'. 50% of the endsem exam was based on this last topic and hence was difficult

Assignments: No Assignments, No compulsary Tutorial submission but no solution to tutorial was provided.

Difficulty level for tutorials was medium. Grading policy followed was Relative grading

Exams and Grading:One Quiz and One endsem conducted since the course was half semester long. Weightage was 30% for quiz and 70% for endsem

Pro-tips:

Attend classes regularly. Since the mode of teaching is blackboard, you will not have access to any slides.
Make notes in class, textbook helps covering concepts but Sir will allow formulae sheet for endterm exam.
Focus more on parts after Quiz 1 since the weightage for endterm exam is heavy on syllabus taught after quiz 1

Dont worry if the final endsemester exam is extremely difficult. The professor is reasonable when it comes to grading. For half-sem courses, you dont have a lot of chances to make up for bad performance in tests hence try hard to score maximum marks in quiz to ease pressure on endsem.

Respondent: 

Vineet Bhat