PHY 598PPC: The Particle Physics of the Early Universe, Fall 2020

About

This course provides an introduction to the thermal history of our universe.  Topics to be covered include

• Friedmann-Robertson-Walker spacetimes, kinematics, and dynamics
• thermodynamics in an expanding universe
• early evolution of the Standard Model
  • Big Bang nucleosynthesis
  • recombination
• the existence of dark matter, and various mechanisms to produce it
• criteria for baryogenesis, and various mechanisms to implement it
• with further topics as time permits.

Prerequisites are PHY 427 and 482 or equivalent.  

The recommended text is "The Early Universe", by Kolb and Turner.  This and other references (and their advantages and disadvantages) are listed on the Texts and Further Readings page.

This course is currently full.

If you are interested in either auditing the course or attending the first few weeks in the hopes that a spot may open up, please email Prof. Shelton to get access to the Zoom link.

Please fill out this form prior to the first lecture.

General Information

PHYS598 PPC will be entirely online this semester. Lectures are held over Zoom on MW, 10:00-11:20 am; synchronous attendance is highly encouraged.

Course staff and contact information:

Instructor: Jessie Shelton, sheltonj@illinois.edu, virtual office hours Mon 3-4 pm (email for Zoom)

TA: Pranjal Ralegankar, pranjal6@illinois.edu, virtual office hours Tues 3:30-4:30 pm (email for Zoom)

Discussion and questions can always be brought to the course Piazza page

Detailed Information and Schedule

The course schedule, with readings and lecture notes, is here.

Problem sets and solutions will be posted here.

For course policies and grading information, check here.