Course Number: Astro 4050 and Astro 5050 (dual-listed)
Course Name: Astrophysical Cosmology
Credits: 3 Cr
Instructor: Steven Kawaler sdk@iastate.edu
PreReq: None
Associated courses: Astro 3420, Astro 3440L, and Astro 3460.
Course Description
Introduction to modern cosmology and large-scale structure. Aimed at senior undergraduates and graduate students in all areas of physics. Previous coursework equivalent to ASTRO 3460 (Introduction to Astrophysics) is necessary for success in this course.
Topics covered include:
- Mathematical and observational fundamentals associated with the origin, structure, and evolution of the Universe
- Scale of the Universe
- Hubble's Law
- Cosmic microwave background
- Big Bang nucleosynthesis
- Origin of elements
- Dark energy and the accelerating universe
- Dark matter
