Astronomy 182
The Origin and Evolution of the Universe
Spring Quarter 2002
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 1:30
- 2:50 in AAC 107
*** CLASS Notes can
be found by clicking the Dates Below ***
Prof. Josh Frieman
Office: AAC-032 (hours by
appointment)
Tel.: 702-7971 (Tu/Th);
(630)840-2226 (MWF)
e-mail:
frieman@oddjob.uchicago.edu
Grader:
David Johnston
email:
davej@oddjob.uchicago.edu
Lecture Schedule and Class Presentations:
(currently Presentations can only be viewed by Internet
Explorer browsers--working on fixing this)
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March 26 - Course Overview
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March 28 - History of Cosmology, Hubble's Law
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April 2 - The Expansion of the Universe & The Cosmological
Principle
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April 4 - Expansion, Olbers' Paradox, & Newtonian Cosmology
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April 9 - Newtonian Cosmology, the Big Bang, Alternative Cosmologies
Essay due on Ferris Chapter 2
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April 11 - Einstein's Theories of Relativity: Special Relativity
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April 16 - General Relativity
Essay due on Greene Chapter 2
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April 18 - The Dark Side of the Universe I: Dark Matter
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April 23 - The Dark Side of the Universe II: Dark Energy
Essay due on Greene Chapter 3
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April 25 - The Hot Big Bang I: the Cosmic Microwave Background
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April 30 - The Hot Big Bang II:
Big Bang Nucleosynthesis
Essay due on Ferris Chapter 5
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May 2 - Relics from the Early Universe: Dark Matter Particles, Baryogenesis
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May 7 - Quantum Mechanics & Particle Physics
Essay due on Ferris Chapter 4
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May 9 - Particle Physics & Broken Symmetries
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May 14 - Inflation I
Essay due on Ferris Chapter 9
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May 16 - Inflation & the Formation of Large-scale Structure (LSS)
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May 21 - Probing Models of LSS: the Cosmic
Microwave Background Anisotropy
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May 23 - Probing Models of LSS: Galaxy Surveys and Gravitational Lensing
Final Project Essay Due
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May 28 - Wrap-up & Final Thoughts: the Origin of the Universe
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May 30 - Final Exam: in-class quiz on lecture and text material
Textbook:
T. Ferris,
The Whole Shebang (primary)
B. Greene, The Elegant Universe (secondary)
Useful References:
A. Guth and A. Lightman, The Inflationary Universe
C. Hogan, The Little Book of the Big Bang
J. Silk, A Short History of the Universe
Essays:
Summarize chapters of Ferris
in 3 pages and write 1 to 2 pages of questions on the
topic you understood the least or related questions you may have.
Final Project:
Choose a theme related to the Origin and Evolution of the Universe from
popular books or an article in the press: New York Times (Tuesdays),
Scientific American, Astronomy
Magazine, Discover, etc. You should discuss the theme with me before
writing a 3-page essay in the style of a newspaper or magazine article
on that theme. Please use your
own words and make a copy of the reference article to be handed in.