Author Archives: kiwinerd

Preparation for Feb 6

Posted on 2013/01/30 by kiwinerd

Hi everybody, Next week we will have a fun group discussion about the testability of string theory. To help get ready for our conversation, please think over your own opinions on testability of string theory and your reasons for holding … Continue reading →

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Spring Orals presentation topics

Posted on 2013/01/30 by kiwinerd

As in Fall semester, in Week 8 of this semester we will not be having a regular seminar class. Instead, on March 6th, the entire student class will give presentations on topics of their choice. Each student will be allocated … Continue reading →

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Essay 5

Posted on 2013/01/30 by kiwinerd

INSTRUCTIONS It’s time for Essay 5 – on Cosmology, as promised. Essay 5 is worth 5% of your final grade and will be due in two weeks, i.e., by 2:10pm on Wednesday February 13th. Please write 5 pages of content, not including pictures. Your essay should be … Continue reading →

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Notes for Jan 30

Posted on 2013/01/23 by kiwinerd

Hi everyone, I hope you had as much fun as I did hearing students teach most of today’s class. The sense I got from students was that the discussion was productive and helpful. Please don’t hesitate to give me feedback … Continue reading →

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A great Neil Tyson quote

Posted on 2013/01/18 by kiwinerd

Hi everyone, I saw this quotation online today and thought it would be worth sharing with you. Cheers, Prof. P

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Notes for Jan 23

Posted on 2013/01/16 by kiwinerd

Hi everyone, Here are my notes on Big Bang Cosmology, Part 1 of 2. I suspect that you will enjoy learning this stuff a lot. You may also enjoy perusing at your leisure the following cosmology sources which I will … Continue reading →

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Essay 4

Posted on 2013/01/15 by kiwinerd

This essay is worth 5% of your final grade and is due in two weeks, i.e. by 2:10PM on Wednesday January 30th. Please write about 4-4.5 pages (single-spaced) counting references. QUESTION: What is String duality? What is M Theory? INSTRUCTIONS:- Watch … Continue reading →

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Notes for Jan 16

Posted on 2013/01/15 by kiwinerd

Hi everyone, As indicated in the Syllabus available on this here web site, this week we are talking about SYMMETRY. Here are my notes for this week’s class. Sorry they were not available earlier; I had my weekend and Monday … Continue reading →

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Happy 2013!

Posted on 2013/01/08 by kiwinerd

Hi everyone, I hope you had a good break with some relaxation, whether you were strolling on a South Pacific island beach or dogsledding in Nunavut. I’m really looking forward to seeing you tomorrow in class so we can resume our … Continue reading →

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Note about “current class rank”

Posted on 2012/12/11 by kiwinerd

Hi. Some of you have emailed me confused about what “current class rank” means. It means exactly what it says. “Current” means now. “Class” means our PMU199Y class. “Rank” means how well you are doing compared to other students in … Continue reading →

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