Student Guide: Before and During the Master’s Thesis (TFM)

Everything you need to know to prepare, carry out, and present your MSc Thesis.

Step 1: Thesis Supervision & TFM Selection

All faculty members of the Theory Department at UAM, as well as researchers at the IFT UAM/CSIC, are available to supervise MSc theses. Each thesis is worth 12 ECTS credits (approximately 300 hours, or about eight weeks of work).

Regular Defence Periods

Regular Defence Periods

• Ordinary call: late June / early July
• Extraordinary call: early September

Step 2: Master’s Thesis Topics 2025/2026

If you already know your choice and have spoken with your tutor/supervisor, please register here:

Step 3: TFM Presentation & Submission

Required documents (before your defence)

Complete and sign Annex 3 (Supervision Report), Annex 6 (Rights Assignment), Annex 7 (Confidentiality), and the External Supervision Annex (if applicable). You will receive all annexes with step-by-step instructions as the defence dates approach.

Thesis format

Submit your thesis as a single PDF following the official formatting guidelines shared at the start of the year. Note that each track has its own format requirements, so please follow the specific instructions we will send you.

Evaluation

The final grade is awarded on a 0–10 scale. Only one Matrícula de Honor can be granted per call (Ordinary or Extraordinary).

Submission & logistics

All signed documents must be delivered to the tribunal secretary before the day of your defence. Double-check that every form is correctly filled in, signed, and submitted on time.

• PDF of your thesis (correct format)
• Annex 3 signed
• Annex 6 signed
• Annex 7 signed
• External Supervision Annex (if applicable) signed
• Everything delivered to the tribunal secretary before your defence day

Remember

You’re not alone. The Master’s Coordination Team is here to support you at every step. If anything isn’t clear, reach out early: small questions now prevent big issues later.

Academic Team

Course Content

Type: Compulsory– PEC&AC Track – 2nd Trimester

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to modern cosmology, covering the theoretical framework, observational evidence, and open questions about the origin, evolution, and large-scale structure of the Universe.

Main Topics

• Cosmological principles and the Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker models.
• Thermal history of the Universe: from the hot Big Bang to the matter and radiation eras.
• Inflation and the generation of cosmic perturbations.
• Baryogenesis and Big Bang nucleosynthesis.
• Cosmic microwave background and large-scale structure formation.
• Formation of the first stars and galaxies.
• Observational cosmology: distance measurements, standard candles, and large surveys.
• Gravitational waves in cosmology.
• Computational methods for simulating cosmic evolution.
• Open problems: dark matter, dark energy, and alternatives to the standard model.

• Interpret and apply theoretical models of cosmic evolution.
• Relate observational data to cosmological parameters.
• Analyze the interplay between theory, simulations, and astronomical observations.

• Introduction
• History & Principles
• Friedmann-Robertson-Walker Models
• The Thermal History of the Universe
• Big Bang Nucleosynthesis
• Inflation
• Gauge Invariant Perturbations + Baryogenesis
• Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation:
  • Observations
  • Theory
• The Large-Scale Structure of the Universe
• Cosmic Dawn: The First Stars & Galaxies
• Observational Cosmology:
  • The distance ladder
  • CMB & surveys
• Gravitational Waves
• Computational Cosmology
• Open Problems in Cosmology:
  • The CDM crisis
  • Alternative gravity
• Supplementary notes on Inflation, GIP and Baryogenesis by Juan Garcia-Bellido
• Annotated notes created by MSc students from the year 2020/21 can be found under Links

Note: All the course information is available on its website.

Course Outline

Course Schedule

Academic Team

Course Content

Type: Compulsory– PEC&AC Track – 1stTrimester

This course offers an in-depth study of gravity as described by Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity. Students will explore gravity as a geometric property of spacetime, learn to derive and interpret exact solutions to Einstein’s equations, and understand their cosmological and astrophysical relevance.

Main Topics

• Foundations of General Relativity: equivalence principles, covariance, and differential geometry.
• Einstein’s field equations: vacuum and matter solutions, weak field limits, and exact metrics like Schwarzschild, Reissner-Nordström, and Kerr.
• Experimental tests of General Relativity and classical Solar System tests.
• Introduction to black hole physics, including singularities, event horizons, and black hole mechanics.
• Gravitational waves: theory, emission, and modern detection methods.
• Astrophysical applications: black hole mergers and supermassive black holes in galaxies.

• Understand gravity as a geometric effect on spacetime structure.
• Derive and analyze key exact solutions of Einstein’s equations.
• Relate theory with experimental and observational tests.
• Gain insight into current research topics like gravitational waves and black hole astrophysics.

Reading List

• Lecture Notes on General Relativity by Daniel Baumann (all sections except Section 7 on Cosmology).

• Sean M. Carroll, Spacetime and Geometry
• James Hartle, Gravity
• Bernard Schutz, A First Course in Relativity
• Ray d’Inverno, Introducing Einstein’s Relativity
• M. P. Hobson et al., General Relativity
• Anthony Zee, Einstein Gravity in a Nutshell
• Robert M. Wald, General Relativity
• Steven Weinberg, Gravitation and Cosmology
• P. A. M. Dirac, General Theory of Relativity
• Misner, Thorne & Wheeler, Gravitation
• Eric Poisson & Clifford Will, Gravity
• Yvonne Choquey-Bruhat, Introduction to General Relativity

Course Outline

• Special Relativity: Lorentz transformations, spacetime, relativistic kinematics and dynamics
• Gravity as Geometry: equivalence principle, curved spacetime
• Differential Geometry basics: manifolds, tensors, metric
• Geodesics: equations, Newtonian limit, applications (Mercury precession, light bending)
• Spacetime Curvature: covariant derivatives, Riemann tensor, geodesic deviation
• Einstein Equations: field equations, matter, cosmological constant, vacuum solutions
• Gravitational Waves: linearized gravity, wave creation
• Black Holes: Schwarzschild, charged, rotating

Course Outline

Course Schedule