Learning Outcomes
After taking this course, students should be able to
- Explain what is meant by "dark matter"
- Discuss the empirical evidence for dark matter
- Describe the major candidates for dark matter
- Quantiatively compute dynamical mass estimates and compare with observed masses
- Read and comprehend papers on dark matter in the scientific literature
- Pose relevant questions in scientific discussions of dark matter (e.g., colloquia)
- Critically evaluate hypothesized dark matter candidates
- Distinguish between empirical evidence and theory
- Distinguish between dark matter candidates and modified gravity theories