The course presents an overview of current cosmological theories, the observational evidence relevant to current theories, and emphasizes recent data and observational techniques. The topics covered include a brief history of cosmological ideas, the electromagnetic spectrum, thermal radiation, elementary particles and interactions, the theory of general relativity and evidence supporting it, modern observational techniques, observational evidence for the expansion of the universe, the cosmic microwave background radiation, and nucleosynthesis in the early universe. The course stresses concepts, and uses no mathematics beyond algebra. Offered Fall 2001 and Fall semester odd years. Beginning with a study of the nature of sound and the vibrating systems which produce sound, the course proceeds to a study of loudspeakers, electronic amplifiers, microphones, tape recorders and the other components which make modern hi-fidelity sound possible.
Laboratory investigation is included.
Offered on demand. 350 Computer Applications in Physics 2 hours Computer techniques and methods to solve physical problems are taught. Computer techniques are applied to the solution of ordinary differential equations to various orders of accuracy. Fortran will be introduced. Special methods are developed to solve various types of partial differential equations of importance.