waynehu
Professor,
Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics
University of Chicago
Introduction to Cosmology
Astro 243
TTh 2:00-3:20 KPTC 309
Office Hours: Th 3:20-4:20
Grader: Rostom Mbarek
The textbook for this course is Ryden: Introduction to Cosmology 2nd Edition,
Cambridge University Press 2017.
Grades will be based on problem sets
(50%), in class midterm (20%)
and final (30%).
Syllabus
Expansion of the Universe, Ch 2
Cosmic geometry, Ch 3,6
Cosmic dynamics and composition, Ch 4,5
Dark matter and energy, Ch 5,7
Midterm Tuesday 5/1
Hot big bang and origin of species, Ch 9
Inflation, Ch 10
Cosmic microwave background, Ch 8
Gravitational instability and structure formation, Ch 11,12
Final: canonical hours Monday, June 4, 6:30-8:30pm, KPTC 309; seniors Thurs, May 31,
2:30-4:30, KPTC 309
Problem Sets
Problem sets will be posted here as the class progresses. Solution sets will be handed out in class.
PS 1: Due 4/5
PS 2: Due 4/12
PS 3: Due 4/19
PS 4: Due 4/26
PS 5: Due 5/10
PS 6: Due 5/17
PS 7: Due 5/24
Lecture Notes
Lecture notes to supplement the textbook (work in progress, finalized after each lecture)
Set 1: Expansion of the Universe
Set 2: Cosmic Geometry
Set 3: Cosmic Dynamics
Set 4: Dark Matter and Energy
Set 5: Hot Big Bang and Origin of Species
Set 6: Inflation
Set 7: CMB and Large Scale Structure
Set 8: Nonlinear Structure
Supplemental Material
Provided for background knowledge and/or advanced students (you are not responsible for this material)
Set 1: Statistical Mechanics
Set 2: Inflationary Perturbations