AST9220 – Cosmology I
Course description
Course content
Relativistic cosmology: basics of GR, Friedmann's equations, FRW- and de Sitter universes. The early universe: inflation, Big Bang nucleosynthesis, the formation of the cosmic microwave background radiation. Structure formation: evolution of cosmological density perturbations, formation of large-scale structure in the Universe, and fluctuations in the cosmic microwave background radiation.
Learning outcome
You will develop an understanding of modern physical cosmology and methods for solving cosmological problems. The course will give you the necessary background for choosing a topic for a master degree thesis in cosmology.
Admission
PhD candidates from the University of Oslo should apply for classes and register for examinations through Studentweb.
If a course has limited intake capacity, priority will be given to PhD candidates who follow an individual education plan where this particular course is included. Some national researchers’ schools may have specific rules for ranking applicants for courses with limited intake capacity.
PhD candidates who have been admitted to another higher education institution must apply for a position as a visiting student within a given deadline.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Bachelor degree of the Fysikk, astronomi og meteorologi (bachelor) (continued) programme or comparable.
Recommended previous knowledge
Bachelor degree of the Fysikk, astronomi og meteorologi (bachelor) (continued) programme or comparable. AST4210 – Stråling I (discontinued) should be studied simultaneously.
Overlapping courses
10 credits overlap with AST4220 – Cosmology I (discontinued)
Teaching
2 hours of lectures and 2 hours of tutorials, each week.
Examination
A final written examination will constitute 60% of the final grade. Two mid-term tests (home or in classroom) will each constitute 20% of the final grade. Pass/fail. A number of compulsory home exercises without grading may also be given.