Physics 6714: Selected Topics in Theoretical Physics - Spring 2010

Group Theory

Announcements:

• Since no class time or room has been assigned to this course yet, I would like to call an organizational meeting early next semester to determine when and where to meet. Check this page occationally for an annoucement on the time and location of the organizational meeting.

Overview:

The theory of groups and group representation is a subject of extreme importance to various subfields of physics. It appears in both condensed matter physics and particle physics/string theory whenever the system under study possesses any type of symmetry. In this course, we will begin with the basic theory of finite groups and their representations using Hamermesh, and then continue on to the theory of Lie groups and Lie Algebras using Gilmore. Both books are very well written and have inexpensive Dover editions.

Textbooks:

Group Theory and Its Application to Physical Problems
by Morton Hamermesh
# Paperback: 528 pages
# Publisher: Dover Publications (December 1, 1989)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 0486661814
# ISBN-13: 978-0486661810
# $18.96 on Amazon.com

Lie Groups, Lie Algebras, and Some of Their Applications
by Robert Gilmore
# Paperback: 608 pages
# Publisher: Dover Publications; illustrated edition (January 4, 2006)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 0486445291
# ISBN-13: 978-0486445298
# $19.77 on Amazon.com

Homeworks:

Instead of written homeworks, I am planning have problem solving sessions every week where everyone will be required to go up to the board and solve and explain a problem to the entire class.

Exams:

Instead of an in-class exam, I am going to require that everyone submit a report which discusses the use of group theory in either condensed matter or particle/string physics, and do a short presentation on it.