Modern Cosmology (101-0-1)

Instructors

Michael F Smutko
847/491-4568
Dearborn Observatory (2131 Tech Drive), Room 9A, Evanston

Meeting Info

Tech Institute Lecture Room 2: Mon, Wed, Fri 10:00AM - 10:50AM

Overview of class

The modern Big Bang perspective on the origin, structure, evolution, and fate of the universe. Topics to be discussed include the extragalactic distance scale, the Hubble expansion, the large-scale clustering of galaxies, cosmic inflation and the early universe, Big Bang nucleosynthesis, the cosmic microwave background radiation, dark matter, dark energy, and the recent evidence for acceleration in the expansion of the universe. This WCAS Area I distribution course is designed for non-science majors, particularly those who wish to follow Astron 120 with a more detailed course (but Astron 120 is not a prerequisite).

Registration Requirements

Natural Sciences Distro Area
None

Evaluation Method

Three quizzes
Two midterm exams and a cumulative final exam

Class Materials (Required)

1) Singh, "Big Bang" 4th Estate/Harper Collins
2004, ISBN 0-00-716220-0

2) Fraknoi, Morrison, & Wolff, "Astronomy"
OpenStax Astronomy 2e
https://openstax.org/details/books/astronomy-2e (FREE!)
ISBN-13: 978-1-951693-50-3

Class Attributes

Natural Sciences Foundational Discipline
Natural Sciences Distro Area