Connections 20077. The Shape of the Universe
Students taking this connection will be prompted to consider how mathematicians and astronomers approach the question of the shape of the universe. By the end of the connection students will be better equipped to think about the possible geometries of our space and how scientists would go about successfully determining an answer to the question.
In MATH 125 students will explore symmetry, patterns, dimension and geometries of various 2- and 3-manifolds. The main topics of AST 130 are distance, objects in space, the life-cycle of stars and types of galaxies. To truly understand the question of the shape of the universe, one must understand how to study objects in space and the possible geometries in which they reside.