Cosmology

6 EC

Semester 1, period 2

5214COSM6Y

Owner Master Physics and Astronomy (joint degree)
Coordinator B.W. Freivogel
Part of Master Physics and Astronomy, track Theoretical Physics, Master Physics and Astronomy, track GRAPPA, Master Physics and Astronomy, track Astronomy and Astrophysics, Master Physics and Astronomy (joint degree), track General Physics and Astronomy,

Course manual 2023/2024

Course content

This course is about 13.8 billion years of cosmic evolution, from inflation to the formation of first structures in the Universe.

Chapters:

  1. Geometry and Dynamics
  2. Thermal History
  3. Cosmological Perturbation Theory
  4. Structure Formation
  5. Inflation

Study materials

Literature

  • S.Dodelson, 'Modern Cosmology', Academic Press, 2003 (optional).

Objectives

    Teaching methods

    • Self-study
    • Lecture
    • Seminar

    The main course material will be presented and discussed in the lectures. During the seminars (werkcollege), the teaching assistants will discuss homework problems.

    Learning activities

    Activity

    Number of hours

    Zelfstudie

    80

    Lectures

    30

    Exercise sessions

    30

    Homework

    40

    Attendance

    Requirements concerning attendance (OER-B).

  • In addition to, or instead of, classes in the form of lectures, the elements of the master’s examination programme often include a practical component as defined in article A-1.2 of part A. The course catalogue contains information on the types of classes in each part of the programme. Attendance during practical components is mandatory.

    • Additional requirements for this course:

    The homework and participation in the lecture and werkcolleges is mandatory. Absence needs to be communicated to the course coordinator.

    Assessment

    Item and weight Details

    Final grade

    1 (100%)

    Final Grade

    The final grade with be 90% exam and 10% HW. Same rules apply for the retake exam.

    Inspection of assessed work

    Contact the course coordinator to make an appointment for inspection.

    Assignments

    Homework 1

    Homework 2

    Homework 3

    Fraud and plagiarism

    The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

    Course structure

    Weeknummer Onderwerpen
    1 Introduction, Chapter 1
    2 Chapter 2, due HW1
    3 Chapter 3
    4 Chapter 3, due HW2
    5 Chapter 4
    6 Chapter 4 ,due HW3
    7 Chapter 5
    8 Chapter 5, final exam

    Additional information

    The werkcolleges are split into two groups. Due to the constrained room situation, group A will be significantly larger than group B.  Groups are assigned alphabetically according to the surname (A-M group A, N-Z group B).

    Contact information

    Coordinator

    • B.W. Freivogel

    Teaching Assistants: Ariane Dekker (group A), Carlos Duaso Pueyo (group B)