Harmony and Balance
Frank Wilczek
About the Course
We think science uncovers the truth about the world, no matter how ugly it might be. But from the elegance of Einstein’s Theory of Relativity to the harmony of Supersymmetry, beauty has always been one of science’s most faithful guides.
Nobel Prize winning physicist Frank Wilczek is widely considered one of the world’s most eminent scientists. In his four-part masterclass, Frank Wilczek demonstrates how physics uncovers the beauty of reality, introducing some of the biggest ideas in science today.
In the course, you will learn about:
- Plato’s theory of ‘ideal forms’ and how it endures in contemporary physics.
- Quantum theories of Space-Time.
- The Higgs Boson and the Hadron Collider.
- The theory of Supersymmetry.
About the Instructor
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Frank Wilczek
Frank Wilczek is one of the world’s most eminent physicists working today. A Nobel Laureate, mathematician and scientist, he is the Herman Feshbach Professor of Physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is also the author of numerous award-winning books, including A Beautiful Question: Finding Nature’s Deep Design (2016), The Lightness of Being (2010) and Longing for Harmonies (1988).
Course Syllabus
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Part 1: A Beautiful QuestionHow has beauty guided science from Plato to the present day? Frank Wilczek introduces the course before outlining its influence on contemporary physics.
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Part 2: Colours of the Universe
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Part 3: A Platonic VisionWhat beauty can be found in Quantum Theory? Frank Wilczek introduces the main ideas.
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Part 4: The Future of ParticlesWhere is beauty leading physics today? Frank Wilczek introduces the Higgs boson, The Hadron Collider and the theory of Supersymmetry.
Requirements
This course is designed for anyone interested in physics, cosmology and science and requires no prior knowledge. Whether you’re a sixth form or university student, a scientist or you just want to learn more, we welcome you to join Harmony and Balance.
