From the Big Bang to Dark Energy Course offered by the University of Tokyo from Coursera

The “From the Big Bang to Dark Energy” course offered by the University of Tokyo on Coursera is an engaging educational experience that covers a wide range of topics in cosmology and astrophysics. Here’s an overview of what you can expect from the course:
Course Overview

  1. Introduction to Cosmology
    • The origins of the universe
    • Key concepts of the Big Bang theory
  2. Fundamental Forces and Particles
    • Overview of the four fundamental forces
    • Introduction to elementary particles and their interactions
  3. Formation of the Universe
    • The early universe and cosmic inflation
    • Nucleosynthesis and the formation of the first elements
  4. Galaxies and Large-Scale Structure
    • Formation and evolution of galaxies
    • Distribution of matter in the universe
  5. Dark Matter and Dark Energy
    • Evidence for dark matter and dark energy
    • The role of dark matter in the formation of structures
    • The accelerating expansion of the universe
  6. Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation
    • Discovery and significance of the cosmic microwave background (CMB)
    • What the CMB tells us about the early universe
  7. Observational Cosmology
    • Tools and techniques used in observing the universe
    • Key observations that have shaped our understanding of cosmology.

Skills you will gain

By the end of this course, students will:

  • Have a comprehensive understanding of the evolution of the universe over the past 13.8 billion years.
  • Understand the nature and role of dark matter in the universe.
  • Learn about the Higgs boson and its significance in the context of the early universe.
  • Explore the mystery of matter-antimatter asymmetry.
  • Gain insights into dark energy and its effects on the universe’s expansion.
  • Be familiar with the latest research and potential future discoveries in cosmology.

Additional Course Features

  • Language: The course is offered in English.
  • Evidence and Research: The course presents evidence behind key discoveries in cosmology and discusses what we may learn in the near future.
  • Interactive Learning: Includes video lectures, quizzes, discussions, and possibly a capstone project.

What you will learn

What You’ll Learn

  1. Understanding the Universe Through Daily Life Experiences
    • Analogies and Simple Concepts: The course will use everyday experiences to explain complex ideas about the universe, making it easier to grasp the fundamental concepts of cosmology and modern physics.
  2. Techniques and Findings in Modern Physics
    • Observation and Experimentation: Learn about the techniques used by physicists to study the universe, including observational methods and experimental findings that have shaped our current understanding.
    • Key Discoveries: Discoveries such as the cosmic microwave background radiation, redshift of galaxies, and more.
  3. Birth of Elements and Higgs Boson
    • Nucleosynthesis: Understanding how the first elements were formed in the early universe through nuclear reactions.
    • Higgs Boson: Learn about the Higgs boson, its discovery, and its significance in the Standard Model of particle physics.
  4. Dark Matter and Antimatter
    • Dark Matter: Study the evidence for dark matter, its role in the universe, and ongoing research to understand its nature.
    • Antimatter: Explore what antimatter is, how it differs from regular matter, and its implications for the universe.
  5. Dark Energy, Inflation, and the Possible Fates of Our Universe
    • Dark Energy: Understand what dark energy is, its discovery, and how it affects the expansion of the universe.
    • Inflation: Learn about the theory of cosmic inflation and how it explains the uniformity and structure of the universe.
    • Future Scenarios: Explore different theories about the ultimate fate of the universe, including the Big Crunch, Heat Death, and Big Rip scenarios.