Astrophysics and the Cosmos: An Advanced Look at the Universe (With Maths)

Are you already familiar with the cosmos, but want to take your understanding further? If you are interested in astronomy and want to understand the cosmos, then this 8-week class can help you advance your understanding of the universe and all of its complexities. We will cover how objects form in the cosmos, the fundamental forces, and the large and small universe. We will look at the foundational ideas we know when we are first introduced to the universe, but this time we will talk about all of the things that don't fit into that picture perfectly. We will also begin to explore mathematics such as (basic/foundational) algebra, powers of 10, logarithms and exponents, rates of change, geometry and trigonometry, and the mathematics of chemistry. 

Students will have the chance to engage throughout each class with any questions and contributions they may have. We may go overtime if the discussion warrants it! I try to make all classes as engaging as possible and utilize visual elements to help learners understand complex concepts. 

Throughout our meetings, we will discuss each topic: 
**NOTE: Because this is the first run of this class, I may alter these topics slightly as I go and alter things to find the most appropriate pathway for learning

Week 1: 
          - The Quantum Realm -- We will begin to look at the rules of the quantum world and how they compare to our macro world in week one
          - The Behaviour of Atoms and Chemical Formulas -- Following from our discussions of the quantum world we will continue by looking at how atoms behave and react with one another, and how to balance and understand chemical formulas and equations

Week 2:
          - Our Solar System's Evolution and Oddities -- Our solar system formed 4.6 billion years ago from a flat disc of rotating gas and dust, and each planet formed where it sits today, right? Not quite! Let's explore our odd solar system and how it's so different from others out there. 
          - Introduction to Trigonometry -- Let's talk spherical bodies. We live in a universe full of different shapes, and we have a handy way to describe them: trigonometry. We will use geometry as we explore concepts like the number pi (π) and how to use them to speak the language of the cosmos. 
           
Week 3:
          - Gravity on Earth and Newtonian Physics -- We will explore how to calculate the gravitational force on a planet (such as our own) using the Law of Gravitation uncovered by Sir Isaac Newton formally in 1687.
          - Exploring the Motion of Gravity -- What can gravity do? Planets and moons and other things orbit because of gravity, but there is more to it than just that. We will look at Sir Isaac Newton's three Laws of Motion along with gravity in this class to understand how objects move in the cosmos (including down here on Earth). 

Week 4: 
          - The Strong Nuclear Interaction -- The strong force is one of our fundamental forces, and is not something we spend a lot of time talking about. This class will cover how the strong force works and what that means for the cosmos.  
          - Nuclear Fusion -- We know that stars are burning nuclear fuel that causes them to shine (and stay alive), but what exactly is going on in there? In this class we will learn about the process of building atoms inside of stars using the strong force. 

Week 5:
          - The Light Spectrum and the Doppler Effect -- Light is more than just the rainbow, but what do the different kinds of light tell us? Let's explore frequencies, amplitudes and more as we use mathematics to uncover the world of light and energy and what it can tell us about the universe. 
          - Electromagnetism -- Electricity and magnetism are two sides of the same coin. We will explore how they are linked and how they work together in the cosmos to deepen our understanding of light and energy. 

Week 6: 

          - The Formation and Evolution of Galaxies -- Galaxies are all around us in all directions, and they have many complexities. Let's dive into these massive structures and use our understanding of light to explore how they help us unlock a crucial part of the cosmos -- the expansion of space. 
          - The Big Bang and the Age of the Universe -- You can figure out the age of the universe just by observing galaxies, and in this class we will find out how to do that. We'll also explore the expansion of spacetime and what that could mean in the future. 

Week 7: 

          - The Weak Nuclear Interaction -- What is the weak force for? It helps push atoms apart, but how does it work? We will explore the mechanisms behind the weak force by exploring the world of quarks and their flavours in this class. 
          - Black holes and Neutron Stars -- The extreme physics of black holes and neutron stars may hold some keys to unlocking some mysteries of the cosmos. We will explore these objects and what might be happening inside of them by using our understanding of the four forces of the universe and what we find inside it. 

Week 8:
          - Parallax -- Does the moon look like it's following you while the stars stand still? You've encountered parallax. We will use trigonometry to make sense of this idea and learn how to measure the distances to stars using this phenomenon. 
          - Intelligent Life in the Cosmos -- Let's dive into the Drake equation and start to explore what the chances of intelligent life on other worlds is in our galaxy using mathematics.

These classes will include mathematics. This course is best suited to those who have already gained a fundamental understanding of the universe, have some basic exposure to chemistry, and who are keen to dive into the world of mathematics and how they can help us describe the universe. 

If your learner is interested in the universe but has limited exposure to the topic, then they may be interested in my introductory 8 week course: https://outschool.com/classes/astrophysics-and-the-cosmos-an-introduction-to-the-universe-xr2iPh0d#usiDzYQofH

I recommend your learner has taken the following classes, or has equivalent knowledge, before embarking on this course, as well as having been introduced to chemistry and the periodic table of elements:
- Introduction to the Solar System: https://outschool.com/classes/our-stellar-neighborhood-an-introduction-to-our-solar-system-LZbsFrRy#usiDzYQofH
- Evolution of the Solar System: https://outschool.com/classes/through-time-and-space-the-evolution-of-our-solar-system-188ClJTW#usiDzYQofH
- The Big Bang: https://outschool.com/classes/through-time-and-space-the-big-bang-and-the-evolution-of-our-universe-BgG4ynV5#usiDzYQofH
- Stars and Their Lifecycles: https://outschool.com/classes/stars-and-their-lifecycles-the-birth-life-death-and-afterlife-of-stars-TEyYMwfZ#usiDzYQofH 
- Atoms: https://outschool.com/classes/quantum-physics-atoms-everywhere-yiVGo8Wr#usiDzYQofH

Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions!