Module Title: Introduction
to Cosmology
Module Code: AA1053 Module Level: 1
Module Tutor: Roger Clowes/Ian Butchart
Module Size: Standard Contact Hours per week 0
Pre-requisites: (study time: 2 hours per week)
Co-requisites: Lecture: 0
Tutorial: phone/electronic
This module is a distance learning unit for the University Certificate in Cosmology and is a core module for the Cert HE in Astronomy. It provides a broad introduction to modern cosmology.
It
will provide students with:
1.
educational
material to allow them to logically assimilate information about ideas and
concepts in modern cosmology.
2.
the
background to current developments in the subject area and an awareness of why
it is important to continue with future research.
3.
an
awareness of how cosmology (through astronomical observations) can be used to
probe and test the extremes and uncertainties of physics.
4.
information
that will stimulate further their interest in cosmology and astrophysics.
· the hot big bang
model - the “standard model”
· expansion -->
cooling
· hot particles and
radiation
· what happened to
antimatter
· protons and
neutrons form
· atomic nuclei
form
· atoms form -
recombination
· decoupling -
cosmic background radiation
· inflation
· theory +
speculation
· why the big bang
was hot
· why the universe
expands
· total energy =
zero ?
· solving the
horizon and flatness problems
· cosmology
<--> particle physics
· steady expansion,
astrophysics
· the meaning of
expansion
· distance becomes
harder to define
· Einstein’s
equations
· redshift
· horizons
· the Cosmic
Background Radiation (CBR)
· observational
evidence for expansion
· Hubble
· Tolman test
(1991)
· CBR hotter in the
past
· absorption lines
· Hubble’s constant
· galaxy formation
· epoch of
formation
· dark matter
· Hubble Space
Telescope images, Keck results.
· open or closed
· exciting research
topics
Students will learn via self-study, supported by
detailed distance learning material supplied by the Department according to a
Course Schedule. Each student will receive Course Notes and a Workbook.
The Course Notes, which are closely linked to a
course textbook, will be based on how we use observations, coupled to basic
physical principles, to understand the phenomena of the Universe. The Workbook
contains the assessed coursework and self-test exercises. Additional material will be
available via the Course Website to supplement the examples given in the Workbook.
The website will contain topical information on popular articles related the
material in the course and some of the assignments will contain questions to
encourage students to broaden their awareness of different sources of
information including traditional libraries and the internet.
Tutorial support will provided
by e-mail, electronic discussion groups and telephone.
Students will be able to demonstrate:
· a broad understanding of the subject of cosmology which may form a basis for further studies in astronomy, astrophysics and related sciences
· elementary problem solving skills
· the ability to summarise scientific information and concepts
· the ability to research a scientific topic.
The module assessment is by coursework only and there is no examination.
There are three equally weighted items of coursework normally consisting of two question sheets and one essay of about 1000 - 1500 words. There is no requirement to pass each of the assessment individually provided that the essay is attempted and the overall module mark is 40% or more.
AA1053 Cosmology Lecture Notes: Distance Learning Notes and Web Site.
(http://www.uclan.ac.uk/pasm-dlearning)
John F. Hawley and Katherine A. Holcomb, Foundations of Modern Cosmology, Oxford University Press, (1998), ISBN 0195104978
Last
updated: 13
September 2000