Physical Cosmology

This subject is not offered in 2014.

120 hours

This subject will assume a general familiarity with Physics at third year level.

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It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study and reasonable steps will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their participation are encouraged to discuss this with the subject coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

This subject provides an advanced introduction to physical cosmology. Specific topics may include the isotropic homogeneous Universe, the Robertson Walker metric, the Friedmann equations, baryogenesis, inflation, big-bang nucleosynthesis, the recombination era, density fluctuations as the origin of galaxies, the cosmic microwave background, linear and non-linear growth of structure, the Press-Schechter mass function, reionization of the IGM and gravitational lensing. Examples are drawn from past and current cosmological observations.

The objectives of this subject are:

• to challenge the students to develop knowledge of fundamental physical principles governing the formation and evolution of structure in the Universe;
• to understand the connection between the microscopic properties of particles and the macroscopic evolution of the Universe;
• to introduce students to the problems facing contemporary research in cosmology;
• to appreciate the distinction between the evolution of baryonic and non-baryonic matter;
• to develop the skills required to interpret cosmological data.

Three assignments totalling up to 36 pages (20%), spaced equally throughout the semester, plus one end-of-semester oral examination lasting up to an hour or one end-of-semester written examination lasting up to four hours (80%).

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This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

At the completion of this subject, students should have gained skills in:

• analysing how to solve a problem by applying simple fundamental laws to more complicated situations;
• applying abstract concepts to real-world situations;
• solving relatively complicated problems using approximations;
• participating as an effective member of a group in discussions and collaborative assignments;
• managing time effectively in order to be prepared for group discussions and undertake the assignments and exam.