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Overview
What you will study
The reason why the universe of the young Copernicus was still essentially that of the ancient Greeks was not because of ‘medieval superstition’, but a shortage of fresh data. The Cosmology Across Five Centuries - Copernicus to the Big Bang course offered by University of Oxford will discuss what changed after c. 1570, and especially with the telescope after 1609, was a floodtide of new information, obtained with new types of instruments.
And this Renaissance connection between technology and discovery has accelerated down to today, with spectroscopy, modern physics, radio astronomy, space probes, and a host of other innovations. It is a history populated by fascinating characters, such as Galileo, whose original discoveries were applauded by the Church, the reclusive Sir Isaac Newton, the immigrant organist William Herschel and his mathematical sister Caroline, wealthy, scientifically-minded Victorian brewers, engineers and manufacturers, and American millionaires. For discovery is also about ingenious men and women and historical circumstances, and these we will examine, from the moving earth to the ‘Big Bang’.
Programme Structure
The program focuses on:
- Copernicus, Tycho Brahe and Kepler
- Accurate measurement, not controversy, proves the Earth’s movement
- The impact of the telescope
- Thomas Harriot of Oxford, Galileo the Italian ‘bruiser’, moon men and the possibility of cosmological infinity after 1620
- How infinite is infinite?
- Theology, gravity and Bishop John Wilkins of Oxford’s ‘Flying Chariot’ for space travel.
- The exploration of deep space with giant telescopes
- The achievement of Sir William Herschel, his sister Caroline, and his son Sir John
- The 'Grand Amateurs'
- How independent, self-funded researchers pioneer planetary exploration, solar physics, spectroscopy, and astronomical photography
- Father Georges Lemaître
- Was his ‘Primal Atom’ just a ‘Big Bang’ (Fred Hoyle), or was the universe really expanding to infinity?
- Henrietta Leavitt, Edwin Hubble, Sir Bernard Lovell and the pioneers of optical and radio ‘deep-space’ astronomy
Key information
Duration
- Full-time
- 2 months
- Part-time
- 2 months
Start dates & application deadlines
- Starting
- Apply before
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Language
English
Delivered
On Campus, Online
Disciplines
History View 89 other Short Courses in History in United KingdomAcademic requirements
We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.
English requirements
We are not aware of any English requirements for this programme.
Student insurance
Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:
- Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
- Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
- Liability
- Home contents and baggage
- Accidents
- Legal aid
We partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.
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Other requirements
General requirements
- No requirements needed.
Technological requirements
- We will be using Zoom for the livestreaming of this lecture series.
Tuition Fee
To always see correct tuition fees
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International
155 GBP/fullTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 155 GBP for the full programme during 2 months. -
National
155 GBP/fullTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 155 GBP for the full programme during 2 months.
- Course Fee - in-person attendance (includes tea/coffee) - £155.00
- Course Fee - virtual attendance - £140.00
Living costs for Oxford
939 - 1530 GBP /month
Living costs
The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.
Funding
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