Physics 10 (Cosmology), Winter 2008
Instructor: Prof. Andreas Albrecht
Office Hours for Albrecht: Mon 3-4pm. Tues 2:30-3:30pm (or by individual arrangement). 511 Physics/Geology
Monday March 17 Is a normal schedule and Monday office hours will be held. Watch course email list for office hours during finals week.
Course TA: Brandon Bozek. Office Hours for Bozek: Monday 10-10:50am (or by individual arrangement), 512A Physics/Geology
Physics 10 courses cover different topics depending on the instructor's choice. This course has the special topic of "Cosmology". We will study the big bang, cosmic inflation, the formation of nuclei and galaxies, the "dark energy" and "dark matter" and other cosmological topics. The course is designed to be accessible to non science majors and it has no prerequisites.
Info sheet for Midterm 2 (UPDATED Feb 28 8:35am)
Handout with course information
Link to course pages at MyUCD (includes HW solutions and section info)
Homework 1 Due Jan 15 (10am if returned in class)
Homework 2 Due Jan 24 (9:45 am if returned in class)
Homework 3 Due Jan 29 (9:45 am if returned in class)
Homework 4 DEADLINE EXTENDED Due Feb 7 (9:45 am if returned in class)
Homework 5 DEADLINE EXTENDED Due Feb 12 (9:45 am if returned in class)
Homework 6 Due Feb 19 (9:45 am if returned in class)
Homework 7 Due Feb 26 (9:45 am if returned in class)
Homework 8 Due Mar 6 (9:45 am if returned in class)
Homework 9 Due Mar 11 (9:45 am if returned in class)
All assigned reading for the course: Chapters 1, 2, 5, 20 (especially 20.2 and 20.3), Chapter 4, All chapter 23, Section 19.1,. All Chapter 22
FAQ:
Q: I am not comfortable with math/science. Will I be able to do well in this class?
A: A major goal of this class is to help people who feel uncomfortable with math and science feel a bit better about these subjects. That means we expect many students come in with pretty low comfort levels with these topics. We expect the problems we assign to be accessible to those students and the TA and I also expect to give those students the support they need to do well. In terms of math the most advanced we get is basic algebra. In the past we have seen many students who come in feeling uncomfortable with math and science put in a good effort and end up doing very well. Students who are uncomfortable with the material are strongly urged to make full use of the sections and office hours.
Q: Are there any other texts I can use instead of the one listed below?:
A1: The required text (listed below) is part of larger (and more expensive) text called simply "The Cosmic Perspective" 4th edition (which covers additional topics). If for some reason you prefer to use the larger text you may do so without expecting any technical problems. The numbering and content should match exactly with our text. For this to work you *must* have the 4th edition, however.
A2: Older editions of our text are not recommended. While there are a lot of similarities between editions, there will be differences in the specific of the homework problems, and possible great differences in the numbering of equations and problems. Also, the new editions are updated in ways that are important for parts of this class. If you try and get by with an older edition you will be responsible for resolving any discrepancies. The professor and TA will not be available to assist with that.
A3: I understand the 5th edition of this text might be available by 2008. Please do not buy the 5th edition for this course. (It is probably a great text, but the timing of the release is too tight for me to use it in Winder 2008.)
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Required Text: Stars, Galaxies and Cosmology: The Cosmic Perspective 4th Edition |
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Jeffrey O. Bennett,
University of Colorado, Boulder
ISBN: 0-8053-9209-2 |
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