Cosmology

An introduction to modern theories of the structure of matter and energy in the universe, and its evolution from the Big Bang to the present. The course presents an overview of current cosmological theories, the observational evidence relevant to current theories, and emphasizes recent data and observational techniques. The topics covered include a brief history of cosmological ideas, the electromagnetic spectrum, thermal radiation, elementary particles and interactions, the theory of general relativity and evidence supporting it, modern observational techniques, observational evidence for the expansion of the universe, the cosmic microwave background radiation and nucleosynthesis in the early universe.