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PHYS 476Introduction to General Relativity

Units
0.50
Faculty
Science
Subject
Physics
Cross-listed
AMATH 475

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 3 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

Tensor analysis. Curved space-time and the Einstein field equations. The Schwarzschild solution and applications. The Friedmann-Robertson-Walker cosmological models.

Prerequisites

  • Complete all of the following
    • Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
      • AMATH231 - Calculus 4 (0.50)
      • MATH227 - Calculus 3 for Honours Physics (0.50)
    • Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
      • AMATH271 - Introduction to Theoretical Mechanics (0.50)
      • PHYS263 - Classical Mechanics and Special Relativity (0.50)
    • Students must be in level 4A or higher
    • Enrolled in a program offered by the Faculties of Mathematics or Science

Antirequisites

None listed.

Leads to

No course lists it as a requisite.

Winter 2027 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 00169640 / 100MW 14:30–15:50
LEC 701260638 / 9999Online or by arrangement
TUT 10169650 / 100F 16:00–17:20

Reviewed on UW Flow

89% liked it10% easy100% useful

From 9 ratings and 3 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • Taken with Eduardo Martin-Martinez: Simultaneously the hardest and most rewarding physics (or math) course I've ever taken. This course was a lot of hard work, but it really felt like it paid off in the end.

    Apr 2017 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Incredible course - take with a light course load.

    Jul 2020 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • This course is very difficult and a lot of work but it is very interesting; you'll do a lot of cool stuff. You don't need to know anything about differential geometry going into the course, but that would help. Definitely recommend this for all 4th year physics students.

    Sep 2018 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

24 posts and comments in 21 threads mention PHYS 476, December 2011 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.

Fall 2024

Birdy Physics Course? 3 points, 5 comments

“Hi guys! I need some course requirements to graduate on time, and I just need one more Physics course. Are there any physics courses you'd recommend? The less work the better. …”

u/DARKSC0UR: “PHYS 476. Jokes aside I would try one of the programming ones (assuming you can take them), or PHYS 275.”

u/Gloomy-Impression-40: “I want to take PHYS 476 next term. How hard was it? Were Midterm and Final Take-home?”

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Spring 2024

Easy Electives 1 point, 8 comments

“Hello, I am committed to UWaterloo General Sciences Honours Co-op Undergrad starting in the fall of 2024. I get to select an elective for the first two academic semesters. …”

u/TheKoalaFromMars: “I'd recommend MTE 220 (basic light switch design), CS 480 (how to learn), PHYS 476 (baby physics), MTE 241 (how to use windows 10), any if you're really into things that move, TRAINS!”

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Winter 2024

Fall 2022

Mathematical physics BM vs BS 2 points, 5 comments

“Hi, I'm entering my final year of high school and as such I began looking at applications for programs I want to join (mostly physics related). …”

u/jollymaker: “They are essentially the same program the only difference will be the upper-year class requirements. You also may have mathematicians teaching some of your classes compared to physicists in the …”

u/void_nemesis: “… For example, the GR course is PHYS 476/AMATH 475/AMATH 675, and it's all one class taught by the same prof. …”

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Winter 2022

What is the hardest course you took in waterloo 29 points, 66 comments

u/the_garden_waste: “PHYS 476, PHYS 454”

u/Homeless_UW_Student: “Probably general relativity (phys 476) Quantum 1 kicked my ass and I was just on the edge of failing it. Didn't understand a single thing. …”

u/void_nemesis: “… There's a special mention for PHYS 476 (General Relativity); the material and assignments are extremely tough, some of the toughest of all PHYS courses, but the prof (Eduardo) is so good that it makes up for the bad.”

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Fall 2020

Easiest 4th Year Phys courses? 8 points, 5 comments

“help a brother out (your top 3 pls)”

u/Island_Man89: “… Phys476 - Intro to GR: I had Eduardo Martinez. Assignments were very difficult but doable and we were allowed groups. Final exam was easier than my 2nd year classical mechanics exam. This will be teacher dependent because the math is quite complex in GR. 3. …”

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Spring 2020

Fuck this bird course bullshit: what is the theoretical hardest term you could do? 49 points, 27 comments

“You're limited to a maximum of 5 classes, you're only allowed to do courses that would be allowed for the program/major you pick. …”

u/cabbagemeister: “… and Calibrations), AMATH473 (Quantum Theory 2) Winter: PHYS444 (Intro Particle Physics) PHYS476 (General Relativity) AMATH474 (Quantum Theory 3) PMATH467 (Algebraic Topology) PMATH965 (Symplectic Geometry) The winter will definitely be harder, and I think constitutes one of the …”

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Fall 2019

Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar