PSC 27 - Survey of the Universe

    Recent Professors
    Alessandro Baldi, Mahendra B. Thapa
    Recent Semesters
    Fall 2026, Summer 2026, Spring 2026
    Class Size
    35 students
    Credits
    3
    Fall 2026 Sections
    View Fall 2026 sections of PSC 27
    Transfers To
    UC and CSUCal-GETC Area 5A · IGETC Area 5A · CSU GE Area B1
    Description
    This course is a survey of our current understanding of the physical Universe. Consideration will range in length scales from the sub-atomic to large clusters of galaxies as well as time scales from the earliest universe through today and into the future. Broad topics will include a foundational example of how we construct knowledge of places we cannot currently visit (the cosmic distance ladder), what stars are and how they evolve, the evolution and current structure of our solar system, current thinking on the probability of extraterrestrial life and models for the evolution of matter in the universe and its ultimate fate. Along the way students will explore cosmic phenomena such as neutron stars, black holes, supernovae, dark matter and the mysterious dark energy.
    Usually Held
    Mon Wed 12:30pm–1:45pm, Tue Thu 2:00pm–3:15pm