Astronomy: How did we get here?

Course Description

Astronomy is the study of the universe and all the matter and energy in it. It gives us a perspective on what it means to be here on Earth. It can help us locate ourselves in space and time. Once we realize how vast our universe is, it may seem humbling at first, but we can be proud of how much humans have understood in such a short time. Astronomy places us in the physical processes that govern the universe. Gravity and atoms work together to make stars, light the universe, generate energy, and create the chemical elements in our bodies. By learning astronomy, we can see how we fit into that cosmic process.

Although we are very small and human beings have existed in the universe for only a short time, we are an important part of something very large and very beautiful. We will look at how the various structures of the universe came to be. How did life on the Earth begin? Is there a likelihood of life elsewhere?  All of these ideas will be considered from the point of view of the latest scientific developments.

Biography of Instructor

Vesna Milosevic-Zdjelar, former astrophysicist from the National Observatory in Belgrade, Serbia, joined The University of Winnipeg’s Physics Department in 2000. In Canada, she obtained a degree in science education, and has made important contributions teaching science courses to non-science and life sciences students, and creating community awareness by initiating science outreach programs. Together with two colleagues, she created a course “Concepts in Science” which became the preferred science course choice for education and arts students at the University of Winnipeg, with enrolment increasing tenfold. Vesna’s passion for science education has led to numerous presentations at conferences and symposia for university instructors and science teachers. She teaches a broad range of courses including Astronomy, Cosmology, Concepts in Science, Physics for Life Sciences and Physics of Music.

Dates and time                                                                   Location

Winter 2025 Term 1                                                                Axworthy Health and RecPlex

Wed Jan 8                               1:30 to 3:30 pm                      Multipurpose Room

Wed Jan 15                             1:30 to 3:30 pm                      Multipurpose Room

Wed Jan 22                             1:30 to 3:30 pm                      Multipurpose Room

Wed Jan 29                             1:30 to 3:30 pm                      Multipurpose Room

Wed Feb 5                               1:30 to 3:30 pm                      Multipurpose Room

Wed Feb 12                             1:30 to 3:30 pm                      Multipurpose Room

If you are experiencing difficulty with the online registration process, please call (204) 988-7650 to register by phone.

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If you have any questions about this course, or would like to be added to a waitlist, please email b.doran@uwinnipeg.ca.