Admission requirements
Prerequisites: General Relativity, Origins and Evolution of the Universe.
Recommended: Effective Field Theory
Description
A course on Theoretical Cosmology with focus on Relativistic Perturbation Theory. The course assumes prior knowledge of General Relativity and of the basics of the standard model of Cosmology, expansion and thermal history. Program:
Inflation/Initial Conditions
Linear Relativistic Perturbation theory
Gauge Freedom
Power Spectra and Transfer functions
Quantum fluctuations as seeds of Cosmological Perturbations
Cosmology with Scalar Fields
Cosmic Microwave Background
Course objectives
After successful completion of the course you will have formed an understanding of the physics of the early Universe, how fluctuations are seeded and stretched into classical perturbations, what is their physical meaning and how they evolve to form the structure that we observe today. In particular, you will be able to:
Solve for the dynamics of simple single-field models of inflation
Understand linear cosmological perturbation theory and its link to observables; calculate and solve the corresponding relevant equations
Transform between gauges
Interpret the Cosmic Microwave Background
Schedule
The timetables are available through My Timetable (see the button in the upper right corner).
Teaching method
Lectures
Exercise classes
These will not be recorded, attendance and active participation are highly recommended.
Assesment method
Mid-term exam: written examination with problems to solve halfway through the course; worth a bonus point calculated as 0.1xgrade (e.g, a grade of 7 on the midterm, gives a bonus of 0.7; a grade of 3, a bonus of 0.3). The bonus will be applicable on the grade of the final exam only if the latter is a passing grade.
Final exam: written examination with problems to solve, at the end of the course. 100% of the final grade (with the possible addition of the bonus point from the mid-term, applicable only to passing grades, i.e. only if you achieve a grade higher than 5.5 on the final)
Resit, review & feedback
Examinations are held twice during the academic year for each component offered in that academic year. Midterm tests cannot be retaken. The Board of Examiners determines the manner of resit for practical assignments.
For review and feedback, see Brightspace.
Reading list
Main reference book: Cosmology, D.Baumann, ISBN : 9781108838078;
Additional reference book: A Course in Cosmology from Theory to Practice, D. Huterer;
Additional reading material will be provided through Brightspace.
While consulting these books is highly recommended, and is likely to help you understand and apply the material offered in the course, they also contain much additional material that goes beyond the course and will not be examined.
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap (button in upper right corner) is mandatory. General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer(s) (listed in the right information bar).
Remarks
Software
Starting from the 2024/2025 academic year, the Faculty of Science will use the software distribution platform Academic Software. Through this platform, you can access the software needed for specific courses in your studies. For some software, your laptop must meet certain system requirements, which will be specified with the software. It is important to install the software before the start of the course. More information about the laptop requirements can be found on the student website.