2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PHYS3011 Cosmology

15 creditsClass Size: 90

Module manager: Dr S. Lumsden
Email: s.l.lumsden@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Pre-requisite qualifications

Physics 1020 "Stars and Galaxies" is recommended as an introduction to the basic astronomy required. An understanding of Physics and Mathematics at first year University level or equivalent in basic calculus, quantum mechanics and thermodynamics is also required.

Pre-requisites

PHYS1020

Stars and Galaxies

This module is mutually exclusive with

MATH3531

Cosmology

Module replaces

PHYS3010 Cosmology

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module introduces students to modern Cosmology. You will see how the geometry of the Universe affects its evolution, how we make measurements of distant objects to help test the geometry, as well as studying the physics of the early Universe, when the seeds of the objects that turned into the Galaxies around us were first created. The course will cover from the first 10^-43 seconds through to the present day.Physics 1020 "Stars and Galaxies" is recommended as an introduction to the basic astronomy required. An understanding of Physics and Mathematics at first year University level or equivalent in basic calculus, mechanics and thermodynamics is required.

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;
- derive how structure forms in the Universe.

Learning outcomes
At the end of the module you will be able to:
- identify the observational evidence for the Big Bang;
- derive and solve the equations for the evolution of our Universe;
- explain how cosmological parameters are measured;
- explain how light atoms form;
- describe how galaxies form;
- explain how the microwave background provides the firmest constraints for the canonical model;
- make effective use of physics skills and knowledge to applications in Astrophysics.

Syllabus

I) Observational Clues for Big Bang Cosmology
II) Cosmological Model Building: Friedmann Equations
III) Measuring the Fundamental Parameters: curvature of the Universe, expansion rate, the Cosmological Constant;
IV) Structure Formation: Jeans Mass, CMBR anisotropies;
V) Neutrino decoupling; nucleosynthesis: the formation of the elements;
VI) Problems with Big Bang and (need for) Inflation: Horizon, Flatness, Vacuum energy, GUTs;
VII) The Very Early Universe: Planck scales.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	2.00	22.00
Tutorial	3	3.00	3.00
Private study hours			125.00
Total Contact hours			25.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

Working through unmarked problem sheets, reading assigned review articles

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Attendance at lectures, tutorials and seminars.

Methods of assessment

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 30 mins	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 16/03/2018

Disclaimer

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