-- Understand the latest discoveries about dark matter, inflation and structure formation.
-- The foundations of cosmology -- from Einstein and Hubble to the 21st century.
-- The Standard Model of the expansion of the universe -- and the challenges facing it.
In three decades, cosmology has transformed itself from a data-poor theoretical discipline to the most exciting crossroads of particle physics and astronomy. Learn how cosmology has come this far -- and understand the subject's theoretical and observational foundations. Start with Einstein's classic 1917 paper, Cosmological Considerations -- and what he called his biggest blunder, the cosmological constant. Understand how Hubble's experimental observations -- backed by the oft-neglected contributions of Friedmann and others -- first demonstrated that the universe expands. Take stock of the universe: its size, contents and behavior as we now understand them. Then visit the most exciting frontiers of cosmology, addressing mysteries like: what is the dark matter that makes up most of the universe? How did the universe's recently discovered cosmic structure evolve?
