How long is a string theory course?

[boomerang]

Main Question or Discussion Point

What is the length of a typical course on string theory?

 

[Danger]

I'm guessing that it'll be a lifetime, since the issue has not come close to resolution.

 

[boomerang]

Yea, I guess it's like asking how long is a piece of string.

 

[robertm]

Yea, I guess it's like asking how long is a piece of string.

Priceless.

 

[cristo]

What is the length of a typical course on string theory?

If you want a serious answer: string theory courses, like most other courses nowadays, tend to be a semester long.

 

[Defennder]

I didn't know there were courses held for areas of physics which are as yet unresolved.

 

[robphy]

Yea, I guess it's like asking how long is a piece of string.

Priceless.

The subject is pointless.:rofl:

But seriously...
http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Physics/8-251Spring-2007/CourseHome/index.htm [Broken]

 

[RocketSurgery]

I didn't know there were courses held for areas of physics which are as yet unresolved.

Yea at first I thought it was pretty funny. But now that I think of it it's a pretty good idea to give people a grounding in the theory if they're curious even if it isn't done yet. It makes life easier then trying to read all the papers published and having to figure out which are important and then learning all the different prereq math.

But with the structured course you get a taste of what the theory is about and because it's a university course the Professor will know what grounding in math everyone has because of the prereqs assigned to the course.

 

[DavidWhitbeck]

At the undergrad level a string theory course would be one semester long, and at the grad level it's usually a two semester course.

As for the matter of only offering courses on charted territory-- many advanced grad level courses merge right with current research. And frankly there needs to be more courses like that, so that the transition becomes a little less awkward than jumping from pre-WWII physics with simple toy problems for homework to working on current research for a thesis!

 

[RocketSurgery]

I can't wait to take a string theory course. I might just buy the book though once I know all the required math.

 

[epenguin]

I think it is extremely short once you get into the fifth dimension.

 

[robphy]

I think it is extremely short once you get into the fifth dimension.

Short, but probably repetitive. :rofl:

 

[RocketSurgery]

I think it is extremely short once you get into the fifth dimension.

Is this a curled dimension joke? :rofl:

 

[mathwonk]

how long is a string theory? that reminds me of a question my wife asked in italy once:

"what is spaghetti al ragu?"

and the waiter said; "spaghetti is a long thin pasta".