PHY 4140 Cosmology
Cosmology is the study of the evolution of the Universe. Topics include inflation, Big Bang nucleosynthesis, the cosmic microwave background, the Friedmann equation, dark matter, dark energy, and large-scale structure.
Course Types
Science; Advanced Studies
Course Outcomes
- Introduce principles of cosmology at the advanced mathematical level to prepare for graduate studies – Very few ideas that underpin modern cosmology are explored past the conceptual level in introductory courses because of the upper-level mathematics necessary to deeply understand them. Students in this course will explore:
• Metrics of spacetime and non-Euclidean geometry
• The evolution of model Universes using the Friedmann equation
• Physical parameters encoded in the signal of the Cosmic Microwave Background
• Eras of the Universe dominated by radiation, matter, and dark energy
• Cosmological observations that constrain the past and the future of the Universe
• Solving equations numerically with Python - Connect astrophysical phenomena to relevant physics coursework - Students will learn how physical principles introduced in classical mechanics, relativity, quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, and nuclear physics are applied to the evolution of the universe. Specifically, the following concepts will be covered:
• Statistical distributions of particles
• Acoustic oscillations
• Thermonuclear reactions
• Equations of state and thermodynamic processes
• Newtonian and relativistic dynamics