ASTR 123 Cosmology and the Large-Scale Structure of the Universe

This course provides an in-depth and comprehensive introduction to the science of astronomy. This course is designed to serve non-science majors, but also offer a good introduction for prospective science majors interested in Astrophysics or Space Science. ASTR 123 focuses on the search for understanding of the nature of the Milky Way galaxy, Normal Galaxies, Active Galaxies and Quasars, Life in the Universe, Cosmology including the Big Bang, the geometry of space-time, the cosmic background radiation, and Dark Matter and Dark Energy. Lab included. ASTR 121, 122, and 123 can be taken in any order.

Credits

4

Prerequisite

MTH 60 or above with grade of C- or better OR equivalent placement via the Math Placement Process. OR corequisite CG 123

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Think and communicate based on familiarity with a wide variety of physical phenomena involving galaxies and cosmology and the means by which they are described and explained
2. Think and communicate based on familiarity, in part through direct practice, with observational tools, chains of reasoning and exploration and knowledge of scientific methods that are part of the practice of this area of astronomy
3. Correctly use elementary physics concepts regarding galaxies and cosmology in some simple situations, and think and communicate with a significant basic conceptual understanding of galaxies and the big bang theory
4. Converse and comprehend through communication using elementary descriptions and dynamical laws involved in the evolution of galaxies and the universe
5. Engage this area of astronomy with an active scientific literacy, which includes use of public resources widely available as part of large scale astronomy investigation
6. Think and communicate based on an elementary understanding of observational exploration of the large scale structure and evolution of the universe and the search for extra-terrestrial life, drawing conclusions from experimental data about possible explanations of the current state and evolution of the universe and extra-terrestrial life
7. Formulate questions to move their thinking forward concerning the subject matter of the class
8. Think and communicate with a familiarity with elementary applications of basic Classical Mechanics concepts, as well as an introduction to elementary particle physics and interplay between basic forces, and theories involving General Relativity and the curvature of space-time
9. Reflect and communicate on possible uses and impacts of this physics knowledge regarding cosmology and the large scale structure of the universe
10. Converse and write about the nature of science with increased sophistication and see physics as a science, rather than a body of knowledge
11. Appreciate that the insights provided by Classical Mechanics are valuable and useful even though physics has developed beyond Classical Mechanics and beyond mechanical theories - of which Classical Mechanics is a premier example, and appreciate that astronomical measurement is currently used to test General Relativity and explore Dark Matter and Dark Energy
12. Appreciate current efforts to create new insights in this area of astronomy and have a sense of currently open questions within the astrophysics community