PH431 Half Unit
Physics and the City: From Quantum Jumps to Stock Market Crashes
This information is for the 2019/20 session.
Teacher responsible
Balazs Gyenis LAK 5.03
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in Economics and Philosophy, MSc in Philosophy and Public Policy, MSc in Philosophy of Science and MSc in Philosophy of the Social Sciences. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
Pre-requisites
There are no prerequisites for this course; it is accessible to students of all backgrounds.
Course content
One of the most surprising discoveries of the 20th century is that many things can be described by tiny atoms moving randomly about. Thinking about the physical world in this way led to the invention of modern particle physics. Thinking about the financial world in this way led to modern financial modeling. This course is about some of the philosophical issues underlying the relationship between physics and finance.
Students in this course will explore some of the most important conceptual and philosophical questions underlying physics and finance, like: How are assumptions about randomness compatible with observed forms of determinism? What does it mean to be an atom? How does the quantum world differ from the everyday world? What explains why physical models have unexpected applications in finance? To what extent do such applications help to underpin how the prices of financial instruments are set?
The course will proceed at a conceptual level that is suitable for students of all backgrounds.
Teaching
10 hours of lectures and 15 hours of seminars in the LT.
Formative coursework
Students will be expected to produce 1 essay in the LT.
In addition to the formative essay due mid-term, students must complete 2-4 short weekly reading questions to prepare for discussion in class.
Indicative reading
Weekly essential readings will be provided on Moodle, selected individually from various book chapters and journal articles. Some indicative readings include:
- Malkin, Burton G. A random walk down Wallstreet, excerpts.
- Norton, John D. Einstein for Everyone, Chapters 34-37 on Brownian motion and the origins of quantum theory.
- Weatherall, James O. The Physics of Wallstreet.
- Derman, E. My Life as a Quant. Excerpts.
Assessment
Essay (50%, 1500 words) in the LT.
Essay (50%, 1500 words) in the ST.
Student performance results
(2015/16 - 2017/18 combined)
| Classification | % of students |
|---|---|
| Distinction | 40.5 |
| Merit | 50 |
| Pass | 7.1 |
| Fail | 2.4 |
Key facts
Department: Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method
Total students 2018/19: 21
Average class size 2018/19: 22
Controlled access 2018/19: No
Value: Half Unit
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication
- Application of numeracy skills
- Specialist skills
