OVERVIEW

So you thought we understood how nature works?  Well, about seven-eighths of the matter around us is simply not understood -- we call it "dark matter".  And don't get me started on "dark energy", which appears to be three-quarters of all energy in the universe.  

We will be structuring our exploration into dark matter and dark energy in the following topics, each covering about 2 hours:

1. What is Science? Kuhn and Shapin
2. First hints: Zwicky's discovery
3. More hints: Rubin's discovery of galactic rotation curves
4. Even more clues: Gravitational lensing
5. Seeing the early universe: The cosmic microwave background radiation
6. Possible explanations: the "WIMP miracle"
7. Searching for direct evidence for Dark Matter
8. Evidence of Dark Matter? Deep underground
9. Evidence of Dark Matter? Recreating the Big Bang
10. Supernovae: standard candles and all that
11. What could Dark Energy be?
12. So what's next?

HOW ARE WE GOING TO TACKLE THIS AGENDA?

We will prepare for each topic having thoroughly read the assigned readings. 

We will typically spend two 2-hour meetings on a topic.  The first meeting will be a seminar discussion based on the readings.  I may occasionally have some slides to present.  We will have a 10-minute break on the hour.

The second meeting will consist of three parts:

1. A 30-minute discussion of the topic.
2. Half the class will give about 10-minute presentations followed by discussion on a topic arising from the readings of the last two weeks.
3. A 10-minute quick quiz based on the material discussed.

We will start this two-week structure the very first week of classes!  All of the course material will be available on Quercus (q.utoronto.ca/courses/56254).

EVALUATION AND GRADING

It is always a good idea to put down agreements in writing; this is as true in academic situations as it is in the rest of the world. A Grading Scheme can be understood as a contract between instructor and students so it warrants a clear statement.  The one I suggest is the following:

Class Discussion                  20%

Presentations                       10%

Essays                                  30%

Quick quizzes                       20%

Final Exam                           20%

TIMES

The class will run for two hours on Thursday in LA 248. We start at 10:10 am SHARP (please make every effort to be on time), and finish at 12:00 noon.  We will have a 10-minute break at 11:00.

OFFICE HOURS

I will be usually available Tuesdays 2-4 PM and Wednesdays 3-5 PM in my McLennan Physics Office MP 814A.  You can arrange to talk to me at other times by just emailing or texting.

COURSE WORK

1. Presentations

The presentations will be done in groups (possibly groups of 2) throughout the year.  Depending on the number of students, that will mean a presentation on every other topic per group throughout the year. 

2. Essays

On the second meetings on a topic when you are not doing a presentation, you will write a short essay on one of the issues identified at the previous meeting.  These should be about 600 words in length and handed in electronically via Quercus or email to me before the start of class. 

3. Quick Quizzes

We will have a quick quizz every other week starting on the second week.  It will consist of six questions drawn from the readings that we are discussing the last two weeks.   

4. Final Exam

We will have a two-hour final exam that will consist of a series of multiple-choice questions and short essays.