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.

Skills Acquired

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

Lecture notes

     •      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