Gravity as geometry, differential geometry, Einstein's equation, relativistic stars, gravitational collapse, black holes, cosmology, gravitational radiation, and special topics.

Prerequisites: Physics 210A-B.

4

Units

Optional

Grading

1, 2, 3

Passtime

None

Level Limit

Letters and science

College
MAROLF D M
Donald Marolf
3.4
10 reviews
Spring 2025 . Marolf D M
SH 1430
M W
09:30 AM - 10:45 AM
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PHYS 231C Marolf D M Spring 2025 Total: 8
PHYS 231C Marolf D M Spring 2021 Total: 20
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10
3.4
PHYS102 . Marolf D M 4 Years Ago

Marolf is a genius. I learned a ton of math from taking this class with him (this class will be Phys100A in the future). Great homework: difficult and time consuming, but similar to tests, and really forces you to learn the material. Super thankful that I took this class, especially for the sections about solving PDEs, expansions, and operators.

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PHYS20 . Marolf D M 4 Years Ago

Took this in Fall 2020. Prof. Marolf is comprehensive in his lectures, but his handwriting can be struggling. 2 midterms and 1 finals. They are all easy and related to the HW and lecture. He gives extra credit at the end of the class. He is nice, patient, and creative. He sometimes incorporates student questions into the next lecture. Take him.

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PHYS20 . Marolf D M 5 Years Ago

In the fall of 2020, the class was P/F. The exams weren't really all that bad because they cover about the same content (almost exactly at times) as the homework and the notes are all right as well. The part that detracts from the course, however, is that the professor goes on tangents at times and doesn't fully explain ideas, but I'd recommend.

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PHYS20 . Marolf D M 5 Years Ago

Best physics professor ever. He is very passionate about lectures and the lectures are very inspiring - I really enjoy the "fancy math". I have never thought physics is something "interesting" until taking PHYS 20 with him. His HW is reasonable and exams are highly related to HW and his lectures.

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PHY20 . Marolf D M 5 Years Ago

This professor is extreme for a general course. I have no clue what he lectures about because he goes off-topic, and unless you are a genius in physics, this course is the easiest for u. Get ready to spend approximately 6-8 hours on extreme assignments where most of the info wasn't thought well and the Books confusing you. Extreme midterms.

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PHYS4 . Marolf D M 10 Years Ago

The class itself doesn't seem too bad until you take the exams. For both the midterm and final, the formula sheet isn't very clear so you have to memorize what each equation is for before the test.

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