EARLY-UNIVERSE COSMOLOGY

Catalog description

This course is an exploration of the earliest parts of the cosmic timeline, starting from the first instant after the Big Bang and extending until the cosmic microwave background—the oldest light we can directly observe today. The course discusses the most important events in this time period, focusing on concepts and principles and frequently referring to contemporary literature and publications. Topics include the Standard Models of both cosmology and particle physics, the formation of the first atoms, gravitational waves, and high-energy particle accelerators. (4 credits)