Phys 250 2009-10

John H. Schwarz

JHS contact information: office - 456 Lauritsen; phone - ext. 6642;
email: - jhs@theory.caltech.edu; available by appointment

Arthur Lipstein, arthur@caltech.edu

TA Office hours: Tuesdays 3:00 - 5:00pm, 449 Lauritsen

String Theory Bibiliography

K. Becker, M. Becker, and J. Schwarz, String Theory and M-Theory: A Modern Introduction, Cambridge University Press, 2007.
BBS errata

1. M. Green, J. Schwarz, and E. Witten, Superstring Theory in 2 volumes, Cambridge University Press, 1987.

2. J. Polchinski, String Theory in 2 volumes, Cambridge University Press, 1998.

3. B. Zwiebach, A First Course in String Theory, Cambridge University Press, 2004 (2nd ed. 2008).

4. E. Kiritsis, String Theory in a Nutshell, Princeton University Press, 2007.

5. M. Dine, Supersymmetry and String Theory, Cambridge University Press, 2007

If you haven't already learned quantum field theory and/or

general relativity you should take PH 205 (QFT) and/or PH 236 (GR).

Homework will be assigned weekly and will be due the following Thursday

(unless otherwise indicated). Generally, the problems will be taken from BBS.

You are welcome to collaborate in figuring out the problem solutions.

Some of them will be quite challenging. In my opinion it is good

experience to learn to work with others, because that is how research

is often done. However, I would like you to work independently in writing

up the solutions.

There will be no exams. The grading is pass -- fail. If you successfully

complete most of the homework and attend the classes you will pass.