Cosmology

6 EC

Semester 1, period 2

5214COSM6Y

Owner Master Physics and Astronomy (joint degree)
Coordinator dr. J.P. van der Schaar
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 2025/2026

Course content

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

Topics treated:

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

Study materials

Literature

  • Cosmology by Daniel Baumann, Cambridge University Press

Syllabus

  • Lecture notes, final draft of Baumann's Cosmology textbook

Objectives

  • History and content of the expanding homogeneous universe
  • Governing dynamics in different phases of the expanding homogeneous universe
  • Primordial origin and initial conditions of the homogeneous and inhomogeneous universe
  • Evolution of the inhomogeneous universe

Teaching methods

  • Self-study
  • Lecture
  • Seminar

The main course material will be presented and discussed in the lectures. During the tutorials (werkcollege), the teaching assistants will discuss exercises and problems, as well as allow for time (45mins) to prepare a hand-in assignment once a week (in the second tutorial of the week). 

Learning activities

Activity

Number of hours

Zelfstudie

80

Lectures

30

Exercise sessions

30

Homework

40

Attendance

  • Some course components require compulsory attendance. If compulsory attendance applies, this will be indicated in the Course Catalogue which can be consulted via the UvA-website. The rationale for and implementation of this compulsory attendance may vary per course and, if applicable, is included in the Course Manual.

    • Additional requirements for this course:

    The participation in the lectures and tutorials is voluntary, but strongly recommended. 

    Assessment

    Item and weight Details

    Final grade

    1 (100%)

    Tentamen

    The final grade is (100-Nx5)% final exam, and (Nx5)% hand-in assignments, where N is the number of handed in assignments on a voluntary basis, which is maximally 6, and only if the hand-in assignments contribute positively to the final grade, otherwise it is 100% final exam. Same rules apply for the retake exam.

    Inspection of assessed work

    The manner of inspection will be communicated via the digitial learning environment.

    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
    3 Chapter 3
    4 Chapter 4 
    5 Chapter 8
    6 Chapter 5,6
    7 Chapter 7
    8 final exam

    Additional information

    The werkcolleges are split into two groups. 

    Contact information

    Coordinator

    • dr. J.P. van der Schaar

    Teaching Assistants: Roy Sanghavi (group A), Claudi Vall Müller (group B)