Instructor

• J. C. Evans
• Office: Room 313, Science & Technology I
• Office Hours: TR 10:30-11:45 AM, W 1:00-2:30 PM, or by appointment
• Office Telephone: 703-993-1285, voice mail
• E-mail: jevans@gmu.edu
• Mailbox: Physics and Astronomy Department
• Department of Physics and Astronomy
• Office: Room 303, Science & Technology I
• Office Telephone: 703-993-1280

Lecture Information

• TR, 12:00 to 1:15 PM, Science & Technology I, Room 310, GMU Campus
• Prereguisite - None
• Textbook: Hawley, John F., and Katherine A. Holcomb. Foundations of Modern Cosmology, 2nd Edition. Oxford University Press, 2005, ISBN: 019853096X.

Course Description

Examines the scientific, historical, and philosophical foundations and development of cosmological thought from antiquity to the present. Emphasis will be on a qualitative understanding of the development of cosmology concluding with the present concepts of the origin and evolution of the Universe. No advanced background in mathematics or the natural sciences is required. Either ASTR 103 or ASTR 111 and 113 recommended.

Course Objectives

The objectives of this course are:

1. to familiarize students with the historical, philosophical, and scientific background of cosmological thought as it pertains to the modern science of cosmology;
2. to familiarize students with the physical concepts and terms used in modern physics, mathematics, astronomy, and cosmology, so as to contribute to a student's understanding of the physical nature of human existence in the Universe;
3. to expose students to the practices, methodology, and the conceptual basis of a modern physical science, such as cosmology; and,
4. to provide an exposure to one of the important areas in the history and philosophy of science.

These objectives will be pursued in basically a non-mathematical way. However, a qualitative understanding of the physical basis of modern cosmology will be used in the presentation of the material. Although examinations do not involve problem solving, lectures will use quantitative material.

World Wide Web

In addition to this web site for Astronomy 228, the web site for the Physics and Astronomy Department is: http://www.physics.gmu.edu/. The Astronomy 228 site is in a state of continuous update, so that you should consult it regularly throughout the semester. The site contains materials that supplement the textbook material most of which will be of importance to your study of cosmology. In addition to supplemental course materials, there are links to interesting astronomy and cosmology sites as well as sites containing course materials for equivalent courses taught at other universities.

Participation in In-Class Activities

The in-class activities will be a discussion of the major topics in each of the assigned chapters from the textbook, but it will not necessarily cover every point discussed by the author. You are requested to bring the textbook with you to class so that you can participate with other members of the class in considering and discussing specific topics in the textbook. You are responsible for the material in the assigned chapters and any additional topics discussed in class. Please read ahead so that you are prepared to ask questions and contribute to the discussion in class. The in-class discussion activities will involve either individual or project-group discussion and response. Questions for this discussion will be posed to the class by the instructor and members of the class.

Team Project

A second major component of the class activities is to participate with other members of the class as a team to write a dialog for presentation during the last week of the semester. The dialog is a round-table discussion of some important question in cosmological thought, to be given to each team by the instructor, by several prominent people in cosmology from different historical periods. For example, one team consisting of students playing the parts of Alexander Friedmann, Albert Einstein, Andre Linde, and Stephen Hawking might discuss the question of the nature of space and time. The project is to develop a written dialog to both be acted out in class and handed into the instructor. Therefore it is necessary for the team members to know what were Friedmann's and Einstein’s thoughts regarding the nature of spacetime and how he would attempt to defend his position in a discussion with Linde and Hawking. Some time will be devoted in class to preparation of the project. For more details follow the link to the Project.

Examination Policy

The two semester exams are closed book and closed note examinations. These exams will consist of:

1. 40 one-point, matching questions,
2. 40 one-point, multiple-choice questions, and
3. 20 one-point, questions based on two short essays.

The total points on each exam is 100. The midterm exam is approximately 75 minutes in length.

The final exam will have the same format as the two semester exams with:

1. 60 one-point, matching questions,
2. 60 one-point, multiple-choice questions, and
3. 30 one-point, questions based on two short essays.

The total points on the final exam is 150 and it is also a closed book and closed note examination. The final exam is approximately 150 minutes in length, and it will cover all the material considered in the course with emphasis on the later chapters.

Midterm Exam Make-Up Policy

Because only three examinations are scheduled for the course, there will be no make-up examinations and no rescheduling of the examinations. Therefore, please do not ask for a make-up examination or to take the final examination early.

Course Grade

The composition of the letter grade for this course is given in the table below. The percentage of the grade for each component is given along with the number of points possible for that component. No letter grade will be assigned for individual components, but will be assigned at the end of the course on the basis of the total point accumulation.

Component	Scheduled Date	Day of Week	Percentage	Points Awarded
First Exam	Oct. 5	Thursday	20%	100
Second Exam	Nov. 16	Thursday	20%	100
Project	Dec. 7	Thursday	20%	100
Participation	Every class		10%	50
Final Exam	Dec. 12	Tuesday	30%	150
		Total	100%	500