PHYS 326 - Cosmology

Prerequisites, PHYS 101, PHYS 102. Introduction to modern astronomy, astronomical observations including from space observations and associated theory. The course emphasizes astrophysical processes, birth and death of stars, stellar evolution, formation of elements; planetary systems, star clusters, the Milky Way galaxy. The student will learn forefront topics of modern astronomy, including binary stars, compact galactic sources, white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes. High energy observations and theories of accreting sources. Finally, the student will learn topics of modern cosmology, the expansion of the universe, active galaxies and the future of the universe. (Offered fall semester, alternate years.) 3 credits