Duration
20h Th, 10h Pr
Number of credits
| Master in space sciences, research focus | 4 crédits | |||
| Master in space sciences, professional focus | 4 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
English language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
This course introduces the physical principles of gravitational-wave emission and detection. It examines the main astrophysical sources, the interpretation of observations, and the capabilities and limitations of current and next-generation detectors.
The course covers:
- The history of gravitational-wave detections.
- The generation of gravitational waves.
- Detection principles and current-generation detectors.
- Compact binary systems.
- Gravitational-wave bursts.
- Continuous gravitational waves.
- Stochastic gravitational-wave backgrounds.
- Next-generation detectors, including the Einstein Telescope.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
- Explain the physical principles underlying gravitational-wave emission from different astrophysical sources.
- Distinguish the main classes of gravitational-wave signals and relate their properties to their sources.
- Explain gravitational-wave detection principles and discuss the challenges faced by current and next-generation detectors.
- Apply the concepts and relationships introduced in the course to theoretical questions and practical exercises.
- Analyse and discuss scientific papers, identifying their assumptions, supporting evidence and limitations.
- Present a scientific argument clearly, both orally and in written reports.
- Critically assess explanations, mathematical reasoning and physical analogies, including LLM-generated material where used.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Students should have a basic understanding of general relativity.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The course combines theoretical lectures, practical exercises and interactive discussions of scientific papers. Each student will select a paper, analyse it and present their findings to the group. Two guest lectures on specialised topics are planned, with a written report required for each guest lecture. A dedicated session will address the Einstein Telescope and developments in next-generation detectors.
During this academic year, the instructor will pilot the use of large language models (LLMs), with the aim of providing each student with personalised lecture slides and supporting notebooks based on the instructor's course materials. Personalisation will draw on an initial questionnaire and feedback during the course. The approach will be reviewed throughout the year and may be adapted or discontinued in response to student feedback, its educational effectiveness and the availability of technical resources.
Learning activities may also include guided critical review of scientific explanations, mathematical derivations and physical analogies, including LLM-generated material. Students may use LLMs to support these review activities, following guidance and prompts provided by the instructor. Discussions will focus on assessing accuracy, examining assumptions and limitations, and supporting proposed corrections with calculations, scientific reasoning or appropriate references.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Additional information:
Face-to-face if possible, depending on the COVID situation.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- MyULiège
Further information:
Course materials will be made available through MyULiège and will include lecture slides, supporting notes, practical exercises and scientific papers for analysis and discussion. Any required readings will be identified explicitly.
Personalised versions of the lecture slides and supporting notebooks may also be provided as part of the LLM teaching pilot. LLM-adapted materials will be identified as such and may be revised during the course following review and student feedback.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
oral exam
Further information:
Assessment comprises:
- A formal examination with oral components, covering theoretical questions and a practical exercise.
- Written reports on the guest lectures.
- Active participation in discussions of scientific papers.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
The course comprises 20 hours of theoretical teaching and 10 hours of practical work, incorporating exercises, student presentations and discussions of scientific papers.
The main teaching development this academic year is the pilot of personalised learning materials described above. Students will be invited to provide feedback on their clarity, usefulness and accuracy throughout the course. This feedback will inform revisions to the materials and decisions about the scope and continuation of the pilot. Any adjustments will be communicated to students during the course.
Contacts
Maxime Fays
(maxime.fays@uliege.be)
Room 4.43 Bât. B5A
Inter. fondamentales en physique et astrophysique (IFPA)
Quartier Agora allée du six Août 19
4000 Liège
Téléphone de service: +32 4 3663643