Cosmology is the scientific study of the origin, evolution, and destiny of the universe.
In its modern form, it involves the description of the structure, extent, geometry, and evolution of the expanding universe. The origin of galaxies, stars, radiation, and chemical elements are all parts of this astronomical science, which ultimately lays the physical basis for the formation of planets and life. I will begin this course with an overview of astronomical concepts necessary to understand stars, galaxies, and the Hubble expansion of the universe. Most of the later lectures will follow major topics in the Silk textbook A Short History of the Universe . At the end of the term, we will read Stephen Hawking's book A Brief History of Time .