Course Detail
Units:
3.0
Course Components:
Lecture
Enrollment Information
Enrollment Requirement:
Prerequisites: "C-" or better in ((PHYS 2500 OR ASTR 2500) AND PHYS 3740 AND PHYS 3760).
Description
An introductory course which explores modern cosmological concepts. Discusses formation of galaxies, and clusters of galaxies, the expansion and the age of the Universe. Topics include the existence and properties of the cosmic microwave background, the origin of the light elements, cosmological inflation, and the role of dark matter and dark energy in the formation and expansion of the Universe. The course will introduce concepts of statistical mechanics, quantum mechanics, special and general relativity as needed to explore the course topics. Recommended Prerequisites: PHYS 3740, PHYS 3760, and PHYS 4420.