Updated: 6 March 2011
AY5: Introductory Astronomy−
The Formation and Evolution of the Universe
Kathy Cooksey,
Instructor
June 23−July 25, 2008, Summer Session
I, UCSC
MWF 10:00 AM−12:45
PM, Nat. Sci. Annex 102
Course Description
"The universe explained. Fundamental concepts of modern cosmology (Big
Bang, dark matter, curved space, black holes, star and galaxy
formation), the basic physics underlying them, and their scientific
development. Intended for non-science majors. Courses 3, 4, and 5 are
independent and may be taken separately." (UCSC Astronomy & Astrophysics Department
Undergraduate
Course Descriptions)
General Course Material
- Syllabus (PDF)
- Constants, Equations, Conversion
Factors (as given for math quiz, PDF)
- Constants, Equations, Conversion
Factors, Terms (PDF)
- Glossary of Terms (PDF)
- Introductory Survey (PDF)
Lectures
- Overview of Cosmology (PDF)
- Post-Inquiry Random Walk (PDF)
- Light: Properties and Information (PDF)
- Early History of the Universe (Part
I) (PDF ERRATUM)
- Early History of the Universe (Part
II) (PDF)
- Objects in the Universe: Stars (Part
I) (PDF)
- Objects in the Universe: Stars (Part
II) (PDF)
- Objects in the Universe: Galaxies
(Part I) (Discussion)
- Objects in the Universe: Galaxies
(Part II) (PDF)
- Future of the Universe (Part I)
(PDF)
- Future of the Universe (Part II) (DNE)
Readings
- "The Secret to Raising Smart
Kids," Scientific
American, C. S. Dwek, 11-28-2007 (PDF;
Online)
- Optional: "The Threat of
Stereotypes," J. Aronson, Educational Leadership,
63:14−19, 2004 (PDF
Online)
- "Misconceptions about the Big
Bang," C. H. Lineweaver and T. M. Davis, Scientific American, 02-21-2005
(PDF;
Online,
including some figures not in the PDF, though try this PDF.)
- "The Lives of Stars: From Birth to
Death and Beyond (Part I)," I. Iben, Jr. and A. V. Tutukov,
Sky &
Telescope, Dec. 1997(PDF; Online PDF)
- Optional: "The Lives of Stars: From
Birth to Death and Beyond (Part II)," I. Iben, Jr. and A. V. Tutukov,
Sky &
Telescope, Jan. 1998 (PDF; Online
PDF)
- "The Life Cicle of Galaxies"
G. Kauffmann, F. van den Bosch,
Scientific American,
Jun. 2002 (PDF)
- "Dark Energy & the Preposterous
Universe," S. Carroll, Sky &
Telescope, Mar. 2005 (PDF;
Online
PDF)
- Optional: "Dark Energy & the
Preposterous Universe," S. Carroll, astro-ph, Jul
2001− the technical version (Online PDF; Website)
Assignments & Solutions
- Scale Models in Astronomy (PDF; Solution PDF)
- Quiz #1: "Misconceptions" reading+ (PDF; Solution PDF)
- (Energy) History of the Universe
(PDF; Solution PDF)
- Quiz #2: "Stars" reading+ (PDF; Solution PDF)
- Quiz #3: Math #1 (PDF; Solution PDF)
- THIS IS NOW AN EXTRA CREDIT PROBLEM SET
- Measuring the Universe
(PDF; Solution PDF))
- Quiz #4a: Student Presentations 1 (PDF; Solution PDF)
- Quiz #4b: Math #2 (PDF; Solution PDF)
- Quiz #5a: Student Presentations 2
(PDF; Solution PDF)
- Quiz #5b: Math #3
(PDF; Solution PDF)
Web Resources