Cosmology
Full course description
This course will cover the basic topics in theoretical and observational cosmology. A background in (General) Relativity and Astronomy is useful but not strictly mandatory, but a solid understanding of calculus and basic algebra is assumed.
We will begin with a brief introduction to the mathematics of spacetime and General Relativity, and apply it to homogeneous, isotropic (FLRW) cosmological models. We will then study light propagation in an expanding Universe, discuss the cosmic distance ladder and the basics of observational cosmology. After that, we will outline the cosmological expansion history and investigate in some depth the various epochs, their observational status and the underlying physical laws: the Big Bang, inflation and the generation of primordial fluctuations; the thermodynamics of the early Universe and Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN); recombination and the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB); structure formation and Dark Matter; the late-time cosmic acceleration and Dark Energy.
At the end of the course, you should be able to outline the basic theoretical motivation and observational support in favour of the ΛCDM model, the concordance cosmological model.
Course objectives
- Explain light propagation in an expanding homogeneous and isotropic Universe, redshift, horizons and the cosmic distance ladder and apply these tools to cosmological observables
- Remember the Friedmann equations and use them to derive the cosmological expansion history given the nature and amount of energy/matter in the Universe
- Outline the main epochs and topics in the cosmological history, including inflation, Big Bang Nucleosynthesis, recombination, structure formation, late-time cosmic acceleration
- List the main theoretical and observational evidence for the ΛCDM model and in particular for the existence of Dark Matter and Dark Energy
- Research recent literature, and present your findings to an audience of peers and experts
Prerequisites
- MAT2006
-
PHY2001
Recommended
- PHY3002
-
At least one Astronomy course (PHY2008/PHY2009/PHY2010)
Co-requisites
- None
Recommended reading
All necessary study material will be provided and/or indicated during the course. For more advanced reading, the interested student is referred to excellent books on the subject, for instance:
- [1] S. Dodelson, Modern Cosmology, Academic Press (2003)
- [2] E.W. Kolb, M.S. Turner, The Early Universe, Avalon Publishing (1994)
- [3] A. Liddle, An Introduction to Modern Cosmology, Wiley (2003)
- [4] P.J.E. Peebles, Principles of Physical Cosmology, Princeton University Press (1993)