Quarks to the Cosmos Course: Ten Great Discoveries in Modern Astronomy and Physics
Astronomy. Reach for the stars.
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Join some of our leading astronomers and physicists in this series of special lectures about ten “big ideas” in modern astronomy and physics.
Exploring topics from subatomic physics to black holes and cosmology, and discussing some of the latest research, this course will bring you up-to-date on recent discoveries in our understanding of the universe. Leading researchers from the University of Sydney’s School of Physics present their recent work in an accessible fashion.
Outcomes
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- describe current open questions in our understanding of the universe
- put recent Nobel Prize awards in the context of this research
- appreciate the nature of research and how astronomers and physicists use observations to construct theories of the universe
- appreciate how new technologies and new ideas are revolutionising modern research.
Content
Week 1: Using stellar oscillations to probe their interiors, Professor Tim Bedding
Week 2: Breakthrough! The detection of gravitational waves from a neutron star merger, Professor Tara Murphy
Week 3: Planets beyond our solar system – how to find them and the search for life, Barnaby Norris (TBA)
Week 4: The 2018 Nobel prize in physics: optical tweezers and ultra-fast lasers, Dr Shelley Wickham
Week 5: Taming quantum mechanics, Dr Arne Grimsmo
Week 6: What do galaxies and shadow puppets have in common?, Jesse van de Sande
Week 7: Black Holes, Professor Joss Bland Hawthorn
Week 8: The Higgs boson, its discovery and what we have learnt since, Professor Kevin Varvell
Week 9: Nonlinear physics: from misbehaving springs to rogue waves, Dr Tristram Alexander
Week 10: The new astronomies, Associate Professor Helen Johnston
Note: This timetable is subject to change pending changes to facilitator availability.
Intended audience
Anyone with an interest in astronomy who would like to know more about our universe.
Prerequisites
A basic knowledge of astronomy is recommended but not essential.
Delivery style
Weekly classes delivered over a period of ten weeks.
Features
- Expert trainers
- Central locations
- Course materials – yours to keep
- CCE Statement of Completion
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