Astroparticle Physics

Course manual 2025/2026

Course content

This course will focus on the exciting and rapidly evolving fields of astroparticle physics and multimessenger astronomy. We will discuss the use of photons, cosmic-rays, neutrinos and gravitational waves as 'messengers' of extreme astrophysical environments. We will start by discussing the theory underlying the acceleration of high-energy photons, cosmic-rays and neutrinos in astrophysics. We will then discuss the particle physics and astrophysical processes affecting the propagation of these particles in the universe, and the observational techniques that allow us to detect them on Earth, in space, and underground. Finally, we will the prospects for constraining/identifying dark matter and dark energy by combining information from a variety of cosmic messengers, including gravitational waves. 

Study materials

Literature

• The lecturer will provide lecture notes and slides. The books "High Energy Astrophysics" by M. Longair (3rd edition, published in 2011), and "Astroparticle Physics" by C. Grupen (2nd edition published in 2020, NOT the 1st edition published in 2005) are recommended for students who want to go deeper, but not compulsory.

   

Other

• Recommended prior knowledge: The BSc courses "Black holes and Compact Stars" and "Standard Model of Elementary Particles" are recommended. The MSc Physics and Astronomy "Particle Physics I", "General Relativity" and especially "Cosmology" are strongly recommended, albeit not compulsory, as they provide very useful background and context. 

Objectives

• Students will be able to do basic calculations related to the acceleration of high-energy photons, cosmic rays and neutrinos in astrophysical environments.
• Students will understand the (astro)particle physics processes affecting the propagation of light and particles over cosmological distances.
• Students will become familiar with a selection of observational and experimental techniques to detect high energy radiation, including gamma-ray telescopes, cosmic-ray detectors, and neutrino telescopes.
• Students will appreciate the prospects for constraining/identifying dark matter and dark energy by combining information from a variety of cosmic messengers.

Teaching methods

• Lecture
• Seminar
• Self-study
• Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis

Lectures and tutorials: provide an overview of the field. The students are also requested to write a short summary/essay on a recent paper in the literature. Two suggestions for papers will be provided. 

Learning activities

Attendance

Assessment

While exam carries 50% of the total grade, homework does 20% and final presentation 30%.

Assignments

There will be homework assessments and group presentation.

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

Contact information

Coordinator

• dr. S. Ando

Staff

• Anna Hurhina MSc
• Youyou Li MSc
• dr. T.R. Pollmann