LECTURE: M W F 2:00-2:50 HSSB 1215
LECTURE SCHEDULE
HOMEWORK: Assignments and Solutions
OFFICE HOURS
| Prof. Crystal Martin | W 3-4pm and by appointment | Broida 2015D | 893-8760 | |
| TA: Ms. Amanda Fournier | Tue: 10:30-11:30 and Th: 2-4 | Physics Study Center | n/a |
Prerequisite: Physics 5
Required Text: Introduction to Cosmology by Barbara Ryden
Resources for Reference: Galaxies in the Universe by L. Sparke and J. Gallagher
Announcements: http://www.physics.ucsb.edu/~phys133/s2009/
Course Description: This course will introduce you to cosmology, the
study of the universe as a whole. We study the empirical and theoretical foundations
for the Big Bang, Friedmann models, the Hubble expansion, dark matter, dark
energy, the thermal history of the universe, the origin of the light elements,
the cosmic microwave background, reionization, and structure formation. If time
permits, we will introduce the formation and evolution of galaxies.
Grading:
Homeworks 20%
Class Participation 10%
Midterm Exam I 15%
Midterm Exam II 15%
Cumulative Final Exam 40%
Policies:
Read assigned material before class. Participate in class discussions. Respect
your peers in the classroom. Turn in your own work.
Homework is due at 6pm on Thursdays in the class drop box. You may turn it in
in class the day before (Wednesday) if you prefer. Do not leave papers under my office
door. No late homework will be accepted.
Let me know on the first week of class if
the midterm date or the final exam date presents a problem for you.
Missed exams require a letter and contact phone number from a medical
professional or legal guardian.
Please note that I will use cgs units in the course since that is
the practice in astronomy. You should become familiar with some basic units
such as the solar mass, solar luminosity, parsec, astronomical unit, and magnitudes.
Some Common Units in Astronomy:
1 MSUN = 1.989 x 1033 g
1 LSUN = 3.826 x 1033 erg/s
1 pc = 3.0856 x 1018 cm
1 AU = 1.496 x 10 13 cm
mAB = -2.5 log fn - 48.60
Astro Surf Sites:
History of Cosmology
Cosmology Calculator
Formation of Large-Scale Structure
Black Holes
Black Belts Only! Are Atoms Slightly Affected by the Expansion of the Universe?
UCSB Astrophysics Seminars
Chandra
Space Telescope
Cosmic Web
Summer Internships in Astronomy
Retrograde Motion
