We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Take this course

Astrophysics

Cosmology

Brian Schmidt and Paul Francis

5.0

Based on 10 ratings

, see reviews

Brian Schmidt and Paul Francis

This course covers cosmology – the study of our entire universe. Where did the universe come from? How will it end? What is the nature of space and time? For the first time in human history, we can give precise, reliable answers to many cosmological questions, thanks to a spectacular series of recent breakthroughs. But many of the most fundamental mysteries remain unsolved. In this course we will cover the latest advances and the unsolved mysteries. We will explain the recent observations, and with the help of guest speakers Lawrence Krauss and Brian Cox, we will explore the theories behind modern cosmology.

This course is designed for people who would like to get a deeper understanding of astronomy than that offered by popular science articles and shows. You will need reasonable high-school level Maths and Physics to get the most out of this course.

This is one of four ANUx courses which together make up the Australian National University's first year astrophysics program. You can take these four courses in any order. These courses compromise the Astrophysics XSeries. Learn more about the XSeries program and register for all the courses in the series today!

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

An understanding of modern cosmology
How astrophysicists investigate the origin, nature and fate of our universe

An appreciation of the limits of our current knowledge

An understanding of modern cosmology
How astrophysicists investigate the origin, nature and fate of our universe
An appreciation of the limits of our current knowledge

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Contains up-to-date information about the field, including recent breakthroughs and discoveries

Taught by Brian Schmidt, who won the Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on the accelerating expansion of the universe

Features guest speakers Lawrence Krauss and Brian Cox, who are recognized for their expertise in cosmology

Provides a comprehensive overview of modern cosmology

Includes interactive materials and resources to enhance understanding

Requires a high school level of math and physics knowledge

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.

Save

Reviews summary

In-depth cosmology for science enthusiasts

According to learners, Astrophysics: Cosmology provides a rigorous and fascinating exploration of the universe's origins and fate. Students with a strong foundation in high-school level physics and math found the course highly rewarding and appreciated the clear explanations of complex topics. While some noted the challenging pace or the need for significant prior knowledge, the course is widely praised for its cutting-edge content and the inclusion of insightful guest lectures. Many found it an excellent stepping stone for further study or a way to gain a deeper understanding beyond popular science.

Needs solid high-school physics and math background.

"As stated, you need decent high school math and physics to get the most out of it. Without it, you might struggle with some concepts and derivations."

"Be warned, this is NOT a course for absolute beginners with no science background. The math and physics are essential."

"Coming into this with just a casual interest was difficult. The prerequisites mentioned are definitely necessary to follow along effectively."

"The course material builds heavily on physics principles. Make sure your foundation is strong."

Demanding but provides significant learning.

"This course is challenging, no doubt, but the knowledge gained is incredibly rewarding."

"Expect to put in significant effort, especially if you're not fresh out of physics classes, but it's worth it."

"It pushed my understanding, but I feel I learned so much more than I expected."

"Definitely not an easy ride, but the sense of accomplishment and understanding at the end is great."

Features valuable contributions from experts.

"Having Lawrence Krauss and Brian Cox as guest speakers was a fantastic addition!"

"The guest lectures provided unique perspectives and added significant value to the course."

"It was inspiring to hear from such renowned figures in the field."

"The parts with the guest speakers were particularly engaging and informative."

Covers the latest theories and discoveries.

"It's amazing to learn about the most recent breakthroughs and unsolved mysteries directly from experts."

"I loved that the course wasn't just historical but covered current research and theories."

"Discussing dark matter, dark energy, and recent observational evidence made the course feel very relevant."

"The focus on modern cosmology rather than just foundational astronomy was exactly what I was looking for."

Instructors clarify complex ideas effectively.

"The explanations are generally very clear, even for difficult concepts like spacetime curvature or cosmic inflation."

"I appreciated how the instructors broke down the complex physics and math involved in cosmology."

"Despite the challenging subject matter, the lectures made the core ideas surprisingly understandable."

"The instructors did a great job of explaining complex theories without oversimplifying them completely."

Offers a thorough look at cosmology's big questions.

"This course gives a rigorous introduction into cosmology, covering the most important concepts... definitely recommend for anyone with sufficient background."

"An excellent introduction to cosmology... it covers a lot of ground and delves into some quite complicated topics in a relatively accessible way."

"A really comprehensive course that goes into a lot of detail about modern cosmological theories and observations. Much deeper than pop science."

"I wanted something beyond popular science books and shows, and this course absolutely delivered. It's challenging but provides immense depth."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Astrophysics: Cosmology with these activities:

Review 'An Introduction to Modern Cosmology'

Show steps

This text provides a structured and convenient way to brush up and strengthen your background knowledge of cosmology.

View Cosmological Inflation and Large-Scale Structure on Amazon

Show steps

Acquire a copy of the book 'An Introduction to Modern Cosmology'
Read and take notes on the first three chapters
Complete the chapter exercises
Review your notes and compare them with the provided solutions

Organize and review your course notes and materials

Show steps

This activity helps improve your organization, synthesize your learning, and identify areas for further reinforcement.

Show steps

Gather all your notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams
Organize them into logical categories or folders
Review the materials regularly to reinforce your understanding

Show all two activities

Career center

Learners who complete Astrophysics: Cosmology will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Theoretical Astrophysicist

Theoretical Astrophysicists develop and test theories about the universe's origins, evolution, and composition. They use mathematical models and computer simulations to study the behavior of stars, galaxies, and other cosmic phenomena. A background in cosmology is a must-have for Theoretical Astrophysicists, as their work is largely focused on studying the universe as a whole.

See salaries and explore the career path for Theoretical Astrophysicist

Astrophysicist

Astrophysicists leverage principles of physics to model the universe's behavior, evolution, and composition. They study celestial objects, including those outside of our solar system, such as distant planets, stars, and galaxies. They also study the universe as a whole, including its origins and ultimate fate as well as the fundamental laws that govern it. Cosmology, which is the focus of this course, is a subfield of astrophysics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Astrophysicist

Observational Astronomer

Observational Astronomers observe celestial objects and collect data using a variety of telescopes, instruments, and space probes. They work closely with Theoretical Astronomers to help them refine and improve their theories and models. Cosmology relies heavily on observational data, so this career is closely related to the subject.

See salaries and explore the career path for Observational Astronomer

Astronomer

Astronomers lead the study of all objects in the universe and use the information to build a better understanding of it. They research galaxies, planets, space dust, nebulae, black holes, and dark matter. Among other types of data, they analyze electromagnetic radiation in a variety of frequencies. A background in cosmology can help Astronomers separate background radiation from actual cosmic phenomena.

See salaries and explore the career path for Astronomer

Research Scientist

Research Scientists conduct scientific research in a variety of fields, including astrophysics and cosmology. They develop and test hypotheses, design and conduct experiments, and analyze data. A background in cosmology is a must-have for Research Scientists working in that sub-field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Scientist

Science Teacher

Science Teachers teach science courses at the K-12 level. They develop and implement lesson plans, grade assignments, and provide feedback to students. They must stay abreast of the latest developments in their field, and a background in cosmology could be especially relevant for teachers teaching earth science or astronomy courses.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Teacher

Physicist

Physicists study matter and energy, and they contribute to the development of new theories and technologies. They work in a variety of fields, from theoretical physics to applied physics to experimental physics. Cosmology has a strong theoretical basis, making it a sub-discipline of physics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Physicist

Software Architect

Software Engineers design, develop, and implement software systems. They work with a variety of programming languages and technologies to create software that meets the needs of users. While not all Software Engineers work in the field of astrophysics or cosmology, those who do can develop the software tools and systems that scientists use to collect and analyze data, simulate the evolution of the universe, and visualize complex astrophysical phenomena.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Architect

Statistician

Statisticians collect, analyze, interpret, and present data. They develop and implement statistical methods to solve problems in a variety of fields. Statisticians may work with Astrophysicists to design and analyze surveys, or to develop new methods for analyzing astronomical data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Statistician

Technical Writer

Technical Writers create and edit technical documents, such as instruction manuals, white papers, and marketing materials. They must be able to clearly and concisely explain complex technical concepts to a variety of audiences. A background in cosmology may be helpful for Technical Writers who work in the field of astrophysics or astronomy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Data Scientist

Data Scientists create and develop analytical tools that bring insights from data. They use techniques such as statistical modeling and data mining. As data becomes increasingly available from advanced telescopes and space probes, Data Scientists can use their expertise to help Astrophysicists interpret this data and test hypotheses about the universe's origins and evolution.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Writer

Writers create and edit written content, such as articles, books, and scripts. They may work in a variety of fields, including journalism, marketing, and academia. A background in cosmology may be helpful for Writers who work in the field of science writing or who write about astronomy or space exploration.

See salaries and explore the career path for Writer

Mathematician

Mathematicians devise theories and study mathematical structures, creating new mathematical knowledge. They may also explore how mathematical concepts can be applied to help solve complex problems in physics, astronomy, or other fields. Cosmology is a very mathematical discipline, so having a strong foundation in math can help Mathematicians working in theoretical cosmology to develop theories about the universe's origins and evolution.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mathematician

Engineer

Engineers work with complex systems, from rockets to satellites to telescopes, and they may work to bring new technologies to the field of astrophysics or make existing systems more efficient. Modern cosmology relies heavily on new technologies to make groundbreaking discoveries. Engineers play a critical role in this.

See salaries and explore the career path for Engineer

Project Manager

Project Managers lead and manage the work of a team to achieve specific goals within a defined timeframe and budget. They ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and according to specifications. A deep understanding of the field of cosmology may be helpful for Project Managers working on space exploration or related projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Reading list

We've selected 23 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Astrophysics: Cosmology.

Principles of Physical Cosmology

Save

This advanced textbook provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of cosmology and astrophysics. It valuable reference for researchers and graduate students in the field.

Principles of Physical Cosmology

Paperback

Modern Cosmology

Save

This comprehensive textbook provides an in-depth overview of modern cosmology, covering topics such as the Big Bang, dark matter, dark energy, and the cosmic microwave background. It valuable reference for students and researchers in the field.

Modern Cosmology

Paperback

$$$

Astrophysics

Cosmology

What's inside

Learning objectives

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

In-depth cosmology for science enthusiasts

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses