PHYS 362 Cosmology

At the turn of the century a series of discoveries transformed the ancient study of cosmology into a rigorous and well-tested theory of the universe. After a brief introduction to general relativity the equations governing the evolution of the universe will be developed and explored. Evidence in support of this standard model of cosmology and consequences will then be presented including supernovae standard candles the cosmic microwave background big bang nucleosynthesis dark matter and early-universe physics. The course will conclude with a presentation of recent topical subjects in this exciting field of study.