Delaware State University
Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics
Dover, DE 19901
Superstrings
60-881-00,
3 cr.
Text:
B. Zwiebach:
A First Course in String Theory
recommended:
J. Polchinski:
String Theory, Vol. I
M. B. Green, J.H. Schwarz, E. Witten: String Theory, Vols. I and II
The aim of the course is to introduce and discuss the basic properties of string dynamics, both as
the original model for hadrons, and the modern model for fundamental physics. The course provides a
pedagogical development, in part based on comparisons with point-particles, and in part relying on the
innate mathematical richness of string propagation even without supersymmetry. Emphasis is also on the
contrast between the relativistic and nonrelativistic dynamics, as the latter may well be applied to the
dynamics of other filamentary structures, such as the DNA and the RNA molecules. This course is also a
prerequisite for Superstrings and Beyond, 26-881.
Prerequisites: Classical Mechanics (26-652), Quantum Mechanics II (26-676), Introduction to
Supersymmetry (60-721). A successful student is expected to gain a working knowledge of the covered
material, so as to be able to (1) follow the applications in the literature, (2) solve typical problems in the
field, and (3) discuss adequately the term-paper subject.
Topical schedule:
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A Brief Introduction
Special Relativity and Extra Dimensions
Electromagnetism and Gravitation in Various Dimensions
Nonrelativistic Strings
The Relativistic Point-Particle
Relativistic Strings
String Parametrization and Classical Motion
World-Sheet Currents
Light-Cone Relativistic Strings
Light-Cone Fields and Particles
The Relativistic Quantum Point Particle
Relativistic Quantum Open Strings
Relativistic Quantum Closed Strings
1. Course Title/Number:
Introduction to Superstrings / 60-881-00
2. Number of Credits:
3
3. Curriculum Program Title: Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics
CURRICULUM COURSE REVIEW:
4. Curriculum/Course is:
Superstrings
[X]
New
[
[
Required Course
[X]
]
]
Revised
Elective Course
5. List Prerequisites:
26-652 (Classical Mechanics)
26-676 (Quantum Mechanics II)
60-721 (Introduction to Supersymmetry)
6. List Courses Being Replaced or Changed:
This is a new course.
7. List Courses Being Deleted:
No courses are being deleted.
8. Needs Statement:
This course is needed for students pursuing a Ph.D. with concentration in theoretical physics and
especially for those interested in fundamental physics—the theory of everything, but also for those
interested in the quantum dynamics of long, filamentary structures such as DNA molecules.
9. Catalog Description of the Course:
This course is to introduce and discuss the basic properties of string dynamics, as the original
model for hadrons, and the modern model for fundamental physics. Emphasis is also on the contrast
between the relativistic and nonrelativistic dynamics, as the latter may well be applied to the dynamics
of other filamentary structures, such as the DNA and the RNA molecules.
10. List of Objectives of the Course:
(1) To provide an introduction to the study of string dynamics. (2) To introduce and learn the
methods of analysis both adopted from other fields and specially developed for the study of strings.
(3) To learn how to identify those phenomena throughout theoretical physics, which are best described
using these methods. (4) To develop the problem-solving skills associated with the application of these
methods in theoretical physics, and learn how to extract experimentally verifiable information from such
application.
11. Course Outline:
See the “Topical schedule” section in the attached brief syllabus.
CURRICULUM COURSE REVIEW:
Superstrings and Beyond
12. Show how the proposed course fits into the curriculum or course sequence:
This course is an elective within the curriculum of the Ph.D. program in theoretical physics, and
is indispensable for students focusing on the fundamental physics, string theory being the currently best
candidate theory of everything. For an overview of pre-requisite dependences and the course’s relation
to other courses proposed herein, please see the attached “Proposed Course Dependencies” chart.
13. Are there comparable courses in other departments?
No.
14. How will the students be affected by this course change?
This course provides the students an opportunity to increase their integration with the research
program of the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, by understanding the
mathematical underpinnings of the techniques that are used in contemporary theoretical physics. This
course will improve students’ professional competence, employability in technical fields and ability to
pass professional examinations; the term paper requirement will foster improving expository skills.
Neither this course nor its prerequisites increase the total number of semester hours in this curriculum or
the number of credit hours required for graduation.
15. What effect will this new course have on College resource?
None: this course will not require new or additional resources or staffing.
16. How will the course benefit the College?
This course introduces string theory (without and with supersymmetry) as the currently best
candidate for the theory of everything. This vast scope is only paralleled by its vast technical and
conceptual eclecticism, whereby it serves and an arena of ultimate integration of very many subjects in
physics and mathematics. While indispensable to students of fundamental physics, this course should be
very interesting also to students of the philosophy and sociology of science.
17. How will the change affect the program?
This course will introduce students to the study of strings with and without supersymmetry: both
as elementary building blocks of Nature, and also as the idealization of long, filamentary structures
elsewhere in the nature, from DNA and RNA molecules to cosmic strings that seem to have ‘seeded’
galaxy formation. The technical richness and variety of involved techniques and methodologies in this
subject surpasses all others in theoretical physics, whereby it is also the best example of the synergy of
all these diverse approaches. This course will then also serve this dual role of synthesizing the students’
CURRICULUM COURSE REVIEW:
Superstrings
knowledge acquired in other courses. This course will be one of the electives specific to the Ph.D.
program (concentration in theoretical physics) in this department.
18. Evaluation of Student Performance:
Homework Assignments
40 %
Term-paper (take-home final)
60 %
Sample homework assignments, in-term and final examination question-sheets, work sheets,
course notes, review sheets and term papers will be accessible on-line.
Course Structure: Three (3) 50-minute lectures per week.
References
1. B. Zwiebach: A First Course in String Theory (Springer-Verlag, 2004, ISBN = 0387983848)
2. J. Polchinski: String Theory, Vol. I (Cambridge University Press, 2005; ISBN = 0521672279)
3. M. B. Green, J.H. Schwarz, E. Witten: String Theory, Vols. I and II (Cambridge University
Press, 2005; ISBN = 0521357527 and 0521357535)
Submitted to Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics
by: Tristan Hubsch, on 27th of November, 2007.