Short course
The Life and Times of Black Holes
Course status:
Applications being accepted
Dates and time:
19/01/2027 - 23/03/202714:00 - 16:00
Study format:
In-person weekly
Fees:
£315.00
This course offers a comprehensive journey through the fascinating science of black holes, exploring their formation from stellar collapse, their unique properties, and their role in shaping galaxies and the cosmos.
Beginning with the classical foundations of gravity, the course progresses through Einstein's revolutionary ideas of spacetime, providing students with insights into general relativity and the dramatic physics of singularities. We delve into quantum phenomena, such as Hawking radiation and holographic gravity, and examine current theoretical puzzles, including the black hole information paradox.
The course covers diverse classes of black holes, including rotating and charged ones, exploring the internal geometry behind the event horizon. Sessions are taught through a mix of clear theoretical discussions, illustrative thought experiments, and engaging explorations of recent scientific breakthroughs.
Book this course
Book your place online using the button below.
Course starts Tuesday 19 January 2027
This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings in Oxford on Tuesdays, 2.00-4.00pm.
Week 1: Newtonian Gravity and Dark Stars.
Week 2: Special Relativity and Spacetime.
Week 3: Gravity as Geometry.
Week 4: Stellar Evolution and Black Hole Formation.
Week 5: Schwarzschild Black Holes.
Week 6: Exotic Black Holes.
Week 7: Black Hole thermodynamics.
Week 8: Hawking Radiation.
Week 9: The Blakc Hole Information Paradox.
Week 10: Black Holes in Quantum Gravity Theories.
Course aims
To introduce students to the fundamental physics of black holes, from classical gravity to modern theoretical and observational developments.
Course Objectives:
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To explain clearly and conceptually the underlying principles of Newtonian gravity, special and general relativity, in the context of black hole physics.
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To provide an understanding of the life cycle of stars, mechanisms of black hole formation, and the physical nature of singularities and horizons.
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To critically discuss modern observational evidence and contemporary theoretical challenges in black hole research, including Hawking radiation, the information paradox, and cosmological implications.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be expected to:
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Demonstrate a clear understanding of the physical principles underlying black holes, including gravitational collapse, spacetime singularities, and quantum effects such as Hawking radiation.
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Be familiar with the overall concepts of theoretical frameworks related to black holes, including general relativity, quantum field theory in curved spacetime, and current models that address the information paradox.
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Develop independent critical thinking skills when approaching open questions in physics, enhancing personal confidence and learning autonomy in understanding complex scientific topics.
Level and demands
The Department’s Weekly Classes are taught at FHEQ Level 4, i.e. first year undergraduate level, and you will be expected to engage in a significant amount of private study in preparation for the classes. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class. A levels or equivalent in maths and/or physics are recommended.
Teaching methods
The course will be delivered through a combination of structured lectures, interactive discussions, and guided problem-solving exercises. Students will be encouraged to ask questions throughout and contribute their own ideas during guided discussions, especially when exploring conceptual paradoxes and contemporary debates.
Short thought experiments, case studies of real astronomical discoveries, and analysis of current research findings will foster critical engagement.
Supplementary reading materials and optional online resources (articles, videos, simulations) will be provided each week to deepen understanding. No fieldwork is required.
Assessment methods
Only those students who have registered for assessment and accreditation, in advance of the course start date, can submit coursework/assignments for assessment.
Assessment
You will be set various pieces of work for the course. The first is a formative piece due two weeks after the start of the course. This does not count towards your final outcome but preparing for it, and the feedback you are given, will help you prepare for a set of assessed questions and problems due at the end of the course. The assessed work is marked pass or fail.
Dr Andrea Russo
Andrea completed his PhD at University College London, where he studied aspects of classical–quantum gravity and quantum information theory under the supervision of Prof. Jonathan Oppenheim. His work includes studying stochastic effects in hybrid classical–quantum theories of matter coupled to spacetime, reformulating quantum field theory without explicit reference to time, and investigating connections between quantum complexity and spacetime geometry.
More recently, he has explored consistent couplings of quantum fields to classical gravity, with the aim of addressing the quantum gravity problem without requiring a full quantisation of spacetime. Andrea previously studied mathematical physics at the University of Nottingham and obtained his Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics from the University of Cambridge.
Academic credit
Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme (CATS Points)
Please note, students who do not register for assessment and accreditation during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun. If you wish to gain credit from completing this course you must register to do so before the course starts.
Only those who have registered for assessment and accreditation will be awarded CATS points for completing work to the required standard. Please note that assignments are not graded but are marked either pass or fail.
Learn more about the Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme.
If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education at the Department you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee for assessment and accreditation.
Digital certificate of completion
Students who are registered for assessment and accreditation and pass their final assignment will also be eligible for a digital Certificate of Completion. Information on how to access the digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course attended. You will be able to download the certificate and share it on social media if you choose to do so.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Course fee (with no assessment) | £315.00 |
| Assessment and Accreditation fee | £60.00 |
Funding
If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, or are a care-leaver in the UK, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:
Concessionary fees for short courses
Recommended reading
Recommended reading is optional and you are not required to purchase these books to study this course.
Library facilities
All weekly class students may become borrowing members of the Rewley House Library, part of the Bodleian Libraries, for the duration of their course. Prospective students whose courses have not yet started are also welcome to use the Library for reference.
- More information about the Library can be found on the Bodleian Libraries website.
- This guide for Weekly Class students also provides further information.
Preparatory reading
- Black Holes: A Very Short Introduction / Blundell, Katherine
- Astrophysics for People in a Hurry / Tyson, Neil deGrasse
Module code: O26P597PYW
How to enrol
Please use the ‘Book now’ button on this page.
How to register for accreditation and assessment
To be able to submit coursework and to earn credit (CATS points) for this course, if you wish to do so, you will need to register and pay an additional £60 fee. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.
Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun.
If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education at the Department you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.