Master - Fakultät für Physik und Astronomie

Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg 30
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Code: MVAstro4
Course Title: Cosmology
Programme: Master of Science (Physics)
Type: Lecture with exercises, seminar
Credit Points: 6
Workload: 180 h
Teaching Hours:
5/week
Mode:
WPM
Term:
WS
Module Parts:
• Lecture on “Cosmology” (2 hours/week)
• Exercise (1 hour/week)
• Seminar on Special Topic in “Cosmology” (2 hours/week)
Module Contents:
Module Part 1: Lecture “Cosmology” (4 LP)
• Homogeneous and isotropic cosmology (4): Friedmann-Lemaître models, geometry,
redshift and dynamics; parameters, distance measures and ages; thermal evolution,
freezing out of reactions; primordial nucleo-synthesis and recombination
• Inhomogeneities in the universe (5): Evolution of density and velocity perturbations; power
spectra, Zel’dovich approximation and nonlinear evolution; spherical collapse model and
extended Press-Schechter formalism
• Early universe (3): Structures in the Cosmic Microwave Background, simplified theory,
power spectrum and interpretation; basics of cosmic inflation; accelerated expansion, dark
energy and possible cosmological effects
• Late universe (3): Structures in the evolved universe; large scale gas and galaxy
distribution, power spectrum and interpretation; gravitational lenses, cosmic shearing and
amplification; evolution of the galaxy cluster population
Module Part 2: Seminar (2LP)
• Presentations and discussions on actual topics in cosmology
Objective: Detailed presentation of the cosmological standard model, the cosmological
evolution and structure formation for students with special interest in astronomy and
astrophysics, in particle astrophysics and in theoretical physics
Necessary/useful Knowledge: Content of WPAstro, MKTP2
Recommended Literature: To be announced by lecturer
Specialties: Exercises with homework
Form of Testing and Examination: defined by lecturer before beginning of course
2012.1/v2