COURSE OUTLINE AND SUGGESTED READING SCHEDULE

Given the nature of the subject matter, the ongoing revolutionary progress in our thinking, and the fact that this course is specifically aimed at non-science students, I will only attempt to convey a broad-brush sweep of the mind-boggling ideas that present-day cosmologists and early-Universe physicists discuss and carry around in their heads. To this end, I will try to avoid unnecessary mathematics; I am more interested in conveying a conceptual understanding.

Additionally, it is important that all the students (and especially the non-science students) in the class have a good conceptual grasp of Newtonian physics. I will spend a bit of time on Newtonian mechanics since I use it as a foundation when I discuss Einstein's Theory of Relativity.

Student specializing in mathematics or engineering or other technical specializations should make particular note of the above two items. Those interested in detailed and/or technical discussions should consult the Physics and Astronomy calendar for alternate courses.

Moreover, recent rapid developments necessitates a constant review of the course content and the manner in which the material is presented. I use a variety of resources, ranging from standard overheads and powerpoint presentations, to formal documentaries and interesting, illustrative videos. The approach is, by its very nature, fluid and even experimental. My aim is to convey what are often conceptually challenging ideas using as many different approaches as possible.

Finally, it should be apparent from the above that no single textbook covers the material to be presented. Classroom discussions, therefore, should be regarded as very very important. I encourage students to ask questions and participate in animated exchanges. It is my sincerest hope that animated classroom discussions will not only help assimilate the concepts to be discussed, but also weave the various ideas into a coherent whole.  
 

The following is the recommended reading schedule:  

 

WEEK OF
RECOMMENDED READINGS
1:         Sept 4th
 

BH & TW: Prologue
Webcontent for Weeks 1-2 on Course Website

2:         Sept 11th
Elegant Universe: Chp 1       BH & TW: Chp 1
3:         Sept 18th
Elegant Universe: Chp 2       BH & TW: Chp 2
RECOMMENDED: Webcontent for Weeks 3

4:         Sept 25th



BH & TW: Chp 3 & 6 & Pages 281-286 of Chp 7
RECOMMENDED: First SIX links of Webcontent for Week 4
OPTIONAL: BH & TW: Chps 4 & 5 & 7
5:         Oct 2nd


Elegant Universe Chp 3       BH & TW: Chp 10
RECOMMENDED: Last SIX links of Webcontent for Week 4
OPTIONAL: BH & TW: Chps 8 & 9 (Discovery of Black Holes)
6:         Oct 9th
Elegant Universe: Chp 4       BH & TW: Chps. 11
RECOMMENDED: Last Six links of Webcontent for Weeks 5-6
OPTIONAL: First Five links of Webcontent for Weeks 5-6

7:         Oct 16th

 
BH & TW: Chp 12 & 13
RECOMMENDED: First Four links of Webcontent for Weeks 7-8

MIDTERM EXAM:
WILL COVER ALL MATERIAL


WEDNESDAY OCT 18TH
TO END OF PREVIOUS CLASS

8:         Oct 23rd

Elegant Universe: Chps 5       BH & TW: Chp 14

9:         Oct 30th


Elegant Universe: Chps 6 & 7
RECOMMENDED: Webcontent for Weeks 9-10

10:       Nov 6th


Elegant Universe: Chps 8 & 9
RECOMMENDED: Webcontent for Weeks 11-12

11:       Nov 13th

 
READING BREAK (NOV 13-15, INCUSIVE)
 
12:       Nov 20th

Elegant Universe: Chps 10 & 11
RECOMMENDED: Finish Webcontent for Weeks 11-12

13:       Nov 27th


Elegant Universe: Chp 12
OPTIONAL: Elegant Universe: Chp 13

 
 

Artwork displayed on these pages are by artists S. Wojtowick , Joe Tucciarone and Cecil Herring . Images displayed on these pages are mostly from the Hubble Space Telescope Picture Gallery