Cosmology: a study of the Universe
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- Start Date: 26 Jun 2025End Date: 17 Jul 2025Thu (Evening): 19:00 - 21:00In PersonLocation: Keeley StreetDuration: 4 sessions (over -4 weeks)Course Code: HS004Tutors: Radmila TopalovicFull fee £119.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £77.00
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What is the course about?
This is an introductory course in which you will develop a basic understanding of the birth, evolution and timeline of the Universe, its composition and structure and how we deduce its past and future behaviour. We will look at recent research and computer simulations to aid our understanding of the dynamic nature of the Universe and we will investigate the effects of exotic matter and energy. We will use interactive software and apps to explore our position in the Solar System, the Milky Way and the wider cosmos. We will take a journey through the Milky Way and beyond, we will see the various beautiful morphologies of other galaxies and the overall structure of our vast never-ending universe. We will end with a discussion on the constituents of the Universe and the gaps in our understanding that still need to be filled.
What will we cover?
• The birth of the Universe: energy and matter coming into existence
• The first stars
• The nature of galaxies and growth of large-scale structure in the Universe
• Our place in the universe
• The composition of the Universe including dark matter and dark energy
• The future of the Universe: current theories.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
• describe the early Universe and state the main types of force, matter and energy present
• describe the main features of stars and how they evolve
• compare and contrast types of galaxies and explain their dynamical evolution until the present day
• describe the environment of our solar system on increasing scales
• state the constituents of the Universe and analyse the effects on its expansion
• List the current theories for the future of the Universe and explain their origins based on observational data.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Introductory level. The course is suitable for complete beginners/those with a curiosity about the topic.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Interactive lecture - all information will be supplied via Powerpoint slides which will be made available for download. Be prepared to contribute to class discussions. There will be short online quizzes during the course that can be completed on your mobile phone.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No. Pen and paper or tablet and e-pen if you wish to take notes.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
HS328 Science Friday Lates with Radmila Topalovic: Going back to the Moon: NASA's Artemis mission (27 June 25);
HS313 The Search for Life Beyond Earth (06/07/2025).
Rad heads up Science & Engineering at Kaplan International College in London Bridge, having spent more than seven years at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich developing and delivering world-class education programmes. She holds a degree in Physics with Astrophysics and a PhD in Astrochemistry, and has taught physics, maths and astronomy for almost ten years. Her biggest passions are quantum physics and astrobiology. https://twitter.com/Rad_T
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.