2005/06 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
PHYS2051 Cosmology
10 creditsClass Size: 123
Module manager: Dr R D Oudmaijer
Email: r.d.oudmaijer@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2005/06
Pre-requisites
PHYS1180 (Galaxies and the Universe) recommended but not essential.This module is approved as an Elective
Objectives
On completion of this module you should be able to:- identify the observational evidence for a Big Bang;
- derive and utilize the equations that describe the evolution of the universe;
- explain methods used to measure fundamental cosmological parameters;
- discuss possible problems of the Big Bang Theory;
- outline the ideas behind the formation of structure in the Universe.
Syllabus
I) Observational Clues for Big Bang Cosmology: Hubble Expansion, Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation, Primordial Helium, Dark Matter
II) Cosmological Model Building: Friedmann Equations and their solutions
III) Observational Effort to Measure Fundamental Parameters: Hubble Diagram, Case study on current efforts, Meaning of the Cosmological Constant
IV) The Early Universe: Time dependence, Planck scales
V) Problems with Big Bang and (need for) Inflation: Horizon, Flatness, Vacuum energy, GUTs
VI) Structure Formation: CMBR anisotropies, Jeans mass
Teaching methods
Lectures: 22 x 1 hour;
Tutorials: 3 x 1 hour.
Private study
Examples: 25 hours;Reading: 50 hours.
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
10 weekly problem sheets counting towards 15%.Methods of assessment
1 x 2 hour examination: 85%;
Marked weekly exercises: 15%.
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 19/04/2005
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- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
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- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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