Cosmology

Catalog description

Cosmology is the study of the universe, or cosmos, as a whole. This course covers the theoretical foundations and observational pillars that shape our modern understanding of the universe's origin, evolution, and large scale structure. Topics include the expansion of the universe, cosmological distance measures, the Friedmann equations, the hot Big Bang model, thermal history and primordial nucleosynthesis, the cosmic microwave background, the growth of cosmic structure, dark matter, dark energy, and current constraints on cosmological parameters. Students will learn how cosmological data and observations -- ranging from cosmic microwave background anisotropies to galaxy redshift and gravitational lensing surveys -- inform and challenge theoretical models. PHYS B306 (B201) or H213 (or H106)