Teaching

Philosophy of Physics Lecture Courses

There are three dedicated lecture courses in philosophy of physics, intended primarily for students taking the undergraduate degree in physics and philosophy.

The Leibniz-Clarke Correspondence is an introductory course in the philosophy of space and time; it is usually taken in the first year of the Masters degree course, and also serves as part of an introduction to philosophy.

Intermediate Philosophy of Physics falls into two parts: the first is focused primarily on the foundations of special relativity, although it also includes elements of Newtonian spacetime theory and some small fragments of general relativity; it is usually taken in the Hilary (spring) term of the second year. The second part is a systematic introduction to the philosphy of quantum mechanics. It is assumed that students will already have taken an introductory course in quantum mechanics. That is certainly true of M.Physphil degree candidates, who normally take this course in the Michaelmas (autumn) term of their third year.

Advanced Philosophy of Physics is taught in Michaelmas and Hilary terms. Topics are selected in statistical mechanics, quantum mechanics, and general relativity, with particular attention to the role of symmetries in physical theories. This course is restricted to final year candidates in the degree course, to candidates in the M.St in Philosophy of Physics, and to B.Phil candidates.