THE UNIVERSE - 2025/6

Module Overview

This module introduces many of the fundamental concepts in astronomy, cosmology and relativity theory. It begins with classical (Newtonian) celestial mechanics, properties of stars and galaxies and some of the tools required in observation in Astronomy.

Then it moves on to outline the concepts which underpin Einstein’s Special and General theories of relativity discussing events and physical phenomena from different frames of reference and in different co-ordinate systems, and the way in which mathematics relates these descriptions. Concepts of inertial frames of reference, Lorentz transformations, invariants, and elementary relativity principles and covariance, will be introduced, as well as a discussion of the ideas underpinning the general theory of relativity: principle of equivalence and curvature of space-time.

Big Bang cosmology will be introduced and cover current views of the origins of the universe and its constituent parts (cosmic microwave background, inflation, black holes, dark matter and dark energy). A study of the history of astronomy and the various philosophical and scientific cosmological models throughout history will take place in a series of lectures, entitled The History of Ideas, throughout the semester as part of this module.

 

Module provider

Mathematics & Physics

Module Leader

NICHOL Bob (FEPS)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Indicative content includes:

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  Celestial Mechanics:  Newtonian mechanics; binary stars, stellar masses
  


• 
  Electromagnetic spectrum:  blackbody radiation; Wien’s law; spectral lines,
  


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  Stars and galaxies:  measurements of distance; temperature and luminosity’ Hertzsprung-Russell diagram; star formation and evolution,
  


• 
  Special Relativity: Introductory discussion of events, reference frames, transformations between reference frames and invariant quantities on transformation; Principles of Relativity; constancy of speed of light, the Michelson-Morley experiment, the relativity of simultaneity, time dilation and length contraction; the Lorentz transformation equations; space-time diagrams and light cones, invariance of the space-time interval; relativistic mass and momentum, deriving E=mc2; the relativistic Doppler effect, the twin paradox.
  


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  General relativity: the principle of equivalence; curvature of space-time, experimental tests of GR: Mercury’s perihelion, the gravitational red-shift, the bending of light due to gravity. 
  


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  Big Bang Cosmology: Hubble’s Law; age and size of the Universe.; cosmic microwave background; inflationary models; primeval nucleosynthesis.
  


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  Current ideas in cosmology: Black holes, singularities and the event horizon; gravity waves, gravitational lensing; dark matter, dark energy; fate of the universe.
  


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  History of ideas in cosmology:  Ptolemaic geocentric model; pre-Copernican astronomy; Copernicus, Galileo and the birth of modern astronomy.
  

 

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate

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  recall of subject knowledge
  


• 
  ability to apply individual components of subject knowledge to basic situations
  


• 
  ability to synthesise and apply combined areas of knowledge to physics problems
  


• 
  express scientific ideas in written form
  

 

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• a set of online, bi-weekly tutorial-type questions


• 
  an essay on the history of ideas
  


• a final examination of 2h duration, with a section of short questions in which 4/4 are to be answered, and a section of longer questions of which 2/3 questions are to be answered

Formative assessment and feedback

Verbal feedback will be given in tutorial classes (both whole-class and small group).  The essay assignment will be marked and returned to give feedback before the final assessment. Solutions to online tutorial questions will be provided.

 

Module aims

• give an overview of our present understanding of the nature of the Universe, its origins and the theories and methods we have used to address some of its deepest mysteries
• discuss how physicists make measurement in space and time in the context of frames of reference, how they are established and chosen, and how measurement made by different observers in different frames can be related to each other.
• provide a familiarity with the Lorentz Transformation equations and their applications in Special relativity
• introduce the concepts that lead to Einstein's General theory of Relativity.
• provide an outline of the changing views of the Universe since the dawn of science, and to introduce some of the leading figures in the history of astronomy and cosmology

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• 
  equip students with subject knowledge
  


• 
  develop skills in applying subject knowledge to physical situations
  


• 
  enable students to tackle unseen problems in astronomy, astrophysics and cosmology
  


• 
  develop communication skills
  

 

The learning and teaching methods include:

• 
  Lectures and large group tutorial classes 
  


• 
  small group tutorials
  

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: PHY1037

Other information

The School of Mathematics and Physics is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:

Global and Cultural Capabilities The module includes a first week of lectures on the history of astronomy, highlighting the contributions to the field from other cultures and civilizations throughout history, from the Greeks to the Indians and Egyptians to the medieval Islamic Empire, thus moving away from the Eurocentric picture of the development of science.  This will help increase awareness that scientific knowledge is not owned by any one culture or race, but a global pursuit. Through these lectures, students are encouraged to diversify their knowledge and reflect upon their experiences as a physicist and in education. hey will also be required to write an essay on a subject of their choice relating to the history of astronomy, which gives them an opportunity to focus on a period, culture or person from history that they can relate to. For example, often the female students will pick a female scientist who will likely not have received the recognition she deserves. 

Resourcefulness and Resilience Students are introduced to problem solving both individually in the assessed coursework and as groups in who class tutorial sessions and small-group tutorials. A key aim of the module is to show how the techniques developed here can be applied to a wide range of physics phenomena and real-world examples.

Employability The module introduces first year students to the numerate and logical problem solving skills as well as rational arguments - often to explain and understand counter intuitive and features of the universe that are part of the general training of all scientists and which make physics graduates so sought after in so many careers.

 

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2025/6 academic year.