The detection of gravitational waves (GWs) with ground-based interferometers opened a revolutionary vista on the Universe, upending our notions about the origin of stellar-mass black holes, and offering a spectacular multimessenger view of a binary neutron-star merger and of the ensuing radiation across the electromagnetic band.

From a fundamental-physics standpoint, GWs provide experimental access to the strong-field regime of general relativity and to precision tests of modified gravity.

This whirlwind tour of GW science is meant to give theoretical physicists and non-GW astrophysicists an appreciation of current topics of GW research, as well as an entry point to connect their work with GW applications or observations.

The five lectures will cover:

1. GW propagation and detection
2. GW generation and waveform models
3. Astrophysical GW sources, with focus on the LIGO-Virgo catalog
4. GW data analysis, with focus on tests of GR
5. Cosmology and cosmography with GWs