PHYSICS 133 - Galaxies/Cosmology
Spring 2021
SYLLABUS
LECTURE: MW 2:00-3:15 via Zoom
LECTURE SCHEDULE
HOMEWORK: Assignments and Solutions
OFFICE HOURS
| Prof. Crystal Martin |
M,W 3:15-? and by appointment |
Zoom (see Gaucho Space for link) |
|
cmartin@ucsb.edu
|
| TA: John McCann |
W 11-1, Th 11-1, F 11-12
|
Zoom (see Gaucho Space for link) |
|
mccann@ucsb.edu
|
Prerequisite: Physics 5
Required Text: Introduction to Cosmology by Barbara Ryden (Second Edition)
Optional Additional Reading (more focused on Galaxies): Galaxies in the Universe by L. Sparke and J. Gallagher
Class Web Page: http://web.physics.ucsb.edu/~phys133/s2021/
Course Description: This course will introduce you to cosmology, the
study of the universe as a whole. You will learn about the empirical foundation
for the Big Bang theory: the Hubble expansion, the origin of the light elements,
and the cosmic microwave background. We will derive equations that describe the
dynamics of the universe based on its content, and study the solutions to
understand how observable quantities like redshift, flux, and angular size
determine physical properties of distant objects. You will leave the course
with a basic understanding of the contents of our universe, where it came from,
and where it's headed.
Grading:
Homeworks 25%
Class Participation 15%
Midterm Exam 25%
Cumulative Final Exam 35%
Policies:
Read assigned chapters of the textbook
before class. Class notes will be posted here after each class.
Participate in class quizes; these are graded based on participation (not the correctness of your answer). Respect your peers in the classroom. We will maintain an inclusive and respectful climate, consistent with the
department policy .
Help make class interactive and fun. You are strongly encouraged to turn your camera on during lectures.
Please ask questions: raise your hand and/or type in the chat box.
The instructor will make an effort to record lectures and post them to Gaucho Space -- a reminder to start recording is always appreciated.
Students, however, are prohibited from making recordings.
As you work on the assignments, do reread class notes and the textbook.
Homework assignments and due dates can be found here .
Do discuss the homework problems with your peers; work together to get started and do compare answers.
You must, however, write out the work the paper that you turn in independently.
Homework is due at 5:00 pm PDT on Fridays.
It is your responsibility to submit a single pdf file; we cannot deal with multiple files per student.
You may use LaTex to typeset your paper. Or, if you choose to scan handwritten work, then it must be very easy to read.
Upload the assignment in Gaucho Space. You can resubmit as many times as you want before the deadline. If you are not done, then submit the part you completed. Late homework cannot be accepted because solutions will be posted here after the deadline. If you are not done, it is best to catch up immediately by reading these solutions. Use the weekend to read the material in the textbooke that will be covered the following week.
The exam dates are posted. Let me know during the first week of class if an exam date presents a problem.
Missed exams cannot be made up.
Please come to office hours (see above); the instructor and TA are eager to chat about your specific questions.
Please note that I will use CGS units in the lectures since that is
the practice in astronomy. The textbook uses MKS which is the standard in undergraduate physics.
You can use either one on your homework and exam papers. Often, however, it will make the
most sense to put your answers in units that have obvious meaning such as the mass
of the Sun, the luminosity of the Sun, parsecs, or a fraction of the Hubble time
Some Common Units in Astronomy:
1 MSUN = 1.989 x 1033 g
1 LSUN = 3.826 x 1033 erg/s
1 pc = 3.0856 x 1018 cm
1 AU = 1.496 x 10 13 cm
mAB = -2.5 log fn - 48.60
Astro Surf Sites:
History of Cosmology
Galactic Center Movies
Chandra
Space Telescope
Black Holes
Cosmology Calculator
Formation of Large-Scale Structure
Cosmic Web
Distance Measures in Cosmology
AstroPy Cosmology
Introduction to Galaxy Power Spectrum