Cosmology

Aim of the Course

At the end of the section on general metaphysics, the students will be introduced to cosmology as a subsection of metaphysics which aims to understand the cosmos and nature and even man from this metaphysical perspective and its relationship to theology.

Course Content

The Recent Universe; The Radiation Dominated Era 10; The Evolution of the Density Perturbation; The Cosmic Microwave Background Anisotropy; The CDM and MDM Models of Structure Formation; Inflation 40.

Assessment

Assignment or 1 ½ hour written examination

Select Bibliography

Lecture notes from various authors will be provided prior to class commencement.

DOUGHERTY, Kenneth F. Cosmology: An Introduction to the Thomistic Philosophy of Nature. New York: Graymoor Press, 1965.

HAWKINS, Stephen, The Illustrated Brief History of Time, Bantam Books, London, 1988.

The Universe in a Nutshell, Bantam Press, London, 2001.

SPROUL, R. C. Not a Chance: The Myth of Change in Modern Science and Cosmology. Baker Book: Grand Rapids, MI, 1995.

SWIMME, Brian. The Hidden Heart of the Cosmos: Humanity and the New Story. Orbis Book: Maryknoll, New York, 1996.

Lecture Hours

2 hrs per week for 4th Quarter (Open to lay students)

Lecturer

Fr. Stanley Antoni