Learning outcomes

Understand the key questions, methods and findings of contemporary scientific cosmology. Critically analyse public discourse on these topics, especially in popular science, in order to distinguish scientifically sound claims from pseudoscience, propaganda and ultracrepidarianism. Identify and refute neo-creationist arguments.

Goals

This course aims to introduce non-specialists to the language, methods, findings and current questions of scientific cosmology.

Table of contents

  • Introduction to the principles of special and general relativity

  • The cosmological principles

  • The earliest static models of the Universe: Einstein and the cosmological constant; de Sitter

  • Dynamic models of the Universe developed by Friedmann, Lemaître and Eddington

  • Hubble, Lemaître and cosmic expansion

  • The steady-state model of Hoyle, Bondi and Gold and the continuous creation hypothesis

  • The standard hot Big Bang model

  • Common misconceptions and conceptual pitfalls surrounding the Big Bang

  • The observational pillars of cosmic expansion: galaxy recession, the cosmic microwave background and primordial nucleosynthesis

  • The cosmological concordance model

  • Current questions in modern cosmology: inflation, dark matter and dark energy, the stochastic gravitational-wave background, primordial black holes, etc.

Teaching methods

This course is offered as part of the continuing education programme “Science and Philosophy of the Universe”. Students wishing to take this module must enrol in the programme.

Please contact the organiser as early as possible (andre.fuzfa@unamur.be) for further information about the schedule for the current academic year.

https://www.unamur.be/fr/formation-continue/certificats/sciences-et-philosophies-de-l-univers

Assessment method

A critical analysis, in essay form, of sources intended for the general public (texts, websites, videos, etc.) dealing with topics covered in the course, or of provocative questions such as “What was there before the Big Bang?”

Materials for analysis may be suggested to the lecturer, who will decide whether or not to use them as the basis for the assessment.

Language of instruction

French
Training Block Credits Mandatory
Bachelor in Philosophy 2 2 No
Bachelor in Philosophy 3 2 No