Cosmology, 10 hp, Autumn 2018

Literature:

Barbara Ryden, "Introduction To Cosmology",  2^nd edition (2017)

Course Slack Workspace:

cosmo18.slack.com - sign up for course information and discussion.

Contents:

The world models of general relativity, cosmic expansion, thermodynamics and nucleosynthesis in the early Universe, dark matter and dark energy, methods for measuring cosmological parameters, structure formation, the cosmic microwave background radiation, inflation, black holes, parallel universes and alternative cosmologies.

Prerequisites:

Knowledge corresponding to a Bachelor's degree in physics, or similar.

Examination:

Seminars, literature report and hand-in exercises.

Teacher:

Martin Sahlén, martin.sahlen(at)physics.uu.se, phone: 018-471 5971

Time:

September 2017 - October 2017

If you are interested in participating but did not register the formal way, please notify Martin Sahlén as soon as possible!

Date

Time

Room

Lecture/
Exercise session/
Seminar

Topics

To read
(refers to 2nd edition of textbook)

To turn in/prepare

Sept 4

8-10

Å4005

Lecture 1

Course information

Course overview

Cosmic epochs

Chapter 1

Sept 6

15-17

ITC1113

Lecture 2

Cosmological principle

Cosmic expansion

General relativity

Metrics

Chapter 2 + first half of chapter 3

Sept 10

8-10

ITC1146

Lecture 3

Robertson-Walker metric

Proper distance

Cosmic dynamics

Second half of chapter 3 + chapter 4

Sept 12

8-10

ITC1145

Lecture 4

Dynamics with single and multiple components
Concordance cosmology
Fate of the Universe

Chapter 5

Sept 17

10-12

Å4007

Lecture 5

Measuring cosmological parameters

Dark energy

Chapter 6

Sept 18

15-17

Å11167

Lecture 6

Dark matter

Chapter 7

Sept 19

15-17

Å4007

Lecture 7

Cosmic microwave background radiation

Chapter 8

Sept 20

08-10

Å4003

Exercise session I

Study problem/solution batch I

Sept 28

10-12

ITC1245

Seminar I (group A)

Common misconceptions about modern cosmology

See instructions for seminar I

Sept 28

13-15

ITC1245

Seminar I (group B)

Common misconceptions about modern cosmology

See instructions for seminar I

Sept 28

15-17

ITC1245

Seminar I
(group C)

Common misconceptions about modern cosmology

See instructions for seminar I

Oct  5

15-17

Å11167

Lecture 8

Big bang nucleosynthesis

The early Universe
Inflation

Chapter 9-10

Oct 9

8-10

Å80109

Exercise session II

Study problem/solution batch II

Oct 10

15-17

Å2003

Lecture 9

Structure formation

Chapter 11-12

Oct 12

13-13.45

Å73121

Extra surgery

Open surgery

Any questions you want help with

Oct 15

13-16

Å80115

Seminar II

Parallel Universes

See instructions for seminar II

Oct 16

11.30-12.30

Å73121

Extra surgery

Open surgery

Any questions you want help with

Oct 16

13-15

ITC1146

Exercise session III

No preparations necessary

Oct 18

12-13

Å73121

Extra surgery

Open surgery

Any questions you want help with

Oct 19

Written literature report

Oct 19

8-10

Å80109

Seminar III (group A)

Strange Universe

See instructions for seminar III

Oct 19

10-12

Å80109

Seminar III (group B)

Strange Universe

See instructions for seminar III

Oct 19

13-15

Å80115

Seminar III (group C)

Strange Universe

See instructions for seminar III 

Oct 23

8-10

Å4004

Oral reports
(group A)

Oral literature report

Oct 23

10-12

Å4004

Oral reports
(group C)

Oral literature report

Oct 23

13-15

Å4004

Oral reports
(group B)

Oral literature report

Oct 29

Hand-in exercises