ASTR 330(S) The Nature of the Universe
A journey through space and time from the first 10-43 seconds to the ultimate
fate of the Universe billions of years in the future. Topics include conditions
during the first three minutes, creation of the elements, stellar and giant black
holes, the Big Bang and its remnant radiation, relativity, galaxies and quasars,
the large scale structure of the Universe, and current ideas about the future of the
Universe and the end of time. In particular, we will explore the exciting new
results on the acceleration of the Universe's expansion, and the precise
determination of its age and fate.
Format: lecture/discussion, three hours per week. Evaluation will be based on
two hour tests, occasional homework, and a final exam.
No prerequisites. Courses in the 330-sequence are meant as general-education
courses for students of all majors. Enrollment limit: 40. Not open to first-year
students and sophomores. Closed to Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Physics
majors. Non-major course.