The Early Universe
Course content
The aim of the course is to familiarize students with modern theories of cosmology and particle physics in the early universe and how they explain the formation of matter and the present evolution of our universe. The course will cover the thermal history of the early universe, the theory of inflation, evidence for dark matter and dark energy, and the growth of structure and the formation of galaxies. Students will gain experience in interpreting data and an overview of classic scientific literature. The course will establish a solid foundation for a M.Sc. project in cosmology, astrophysics or particle physics.
Knowledge
To achieve the goals of the course and exam the students should be able to describe:
- The dynamical evolution of the expanding universe in the standard cosmological model and its dependence on the matter and energy content of the universe
- The motivation for inflation and its physical consequences
- The Hot Big Bang and the thermal history of the universe
- The origin and basic interpretation of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB)
- Examples of evidence for Dark Matter and Dark Energy and possible explanations for their origin
- Basic principles of structure formation and galaxy formation
Skills
The student is expected to gain the ability to:
- Perform analytic and numerical calculations of the dynamics of an expanding universe
- Perform numerical calculations of structure formation in a range of cosmological models
- Summarise and critically interpret fundamental scientific articles within the field
Competences:
The course will provide students with an overview of the
connections between modern cosmology, astrophysics and particle
physics. Students will gain the knowledge and skills to be able to
critically evaluate the standard cosmological model, observational
evidence for the model and its limitations, in preparation for MSc
projects.
Lectures and exercises, including computer exercises, student presentations.
See Absalon for final course material. The following is an example of expected course literature:
D. Bauman, “Cosmology”, 2022
J. Peacock, “Cosmological Physics”, 2010
General skills in mathematics and computation, atomic and
nuclear physics are required according to the MSc program in
Physics.
A BSc course on cosmology and an advanced course on particle
physics are recommended for basic knowledge.
Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree are
recommended.
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
-
Continuous assessmentOn-site written exam, 4 hours under invigilation
- Type of assessment details
- The final grade will be based on three components:
(i) 5 homework assignments (each counting 9% of the final grade, total 45%)
(ii) Presentation during course, ~15 minutes individual assessment for each student as part of a group (10% of the final grade)
(iii) 4 hours written exam under invigilation (45% of the final grade)
To pass the exam, students must have participated in all three components.
The presentation (part ii) must be passed separately in order to pass the course.
If the student does not hand in any homework assignments (i) , the exam will be failed.
If the student does not participate in the on-site written exam (iii)), the exam will be failed.
If a student participates in both parts they do not have to be passed separately as the grades will be combined. - Aid
- All aids allowed
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
Several internal examiners
- Re-exam
-
If parts of the exam were passed, these will carry over to the re-exam. Only failed parts should be re-taken.
Like the ordinary exam, the re-exam consists of three components:
(i) 5 homework assignments (45% of the final grade). If these were not passed during the course, new assignments should be handed in no later than the re-exam date.
(ii) Presentation (10% of the final grade). If the group presentation was not passed during the course, a new individual presentation can be held in the re-exam week.
(iii) 4 hours written exam under invigilation (45% of the final grade)
Criteria for exam assessment
The student should convincingly and accurately demonstrate the knowledge, skills and competences described under learning outcome.
Single subject courses (day)
- Category
- Hours
- Lectures
- 42
- Preparation
- 132
- Practical exercises
- 24
- Exam
- 8
- English
- 206
Kursusinformation
- Language
- English
- Course number
- NFYK23006U
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Programme level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
-
1 block
- Placement
- Block 4
- Schedulegroup
-
A
- Capacity
- No limitation – unless you register in the late-registration period (BSc and MSc) or as a credit or single subject student.
- Studyboard
- Study Board of Physics, Chemistry and Nanoscience
Contracting department
- The Niels Bohr Institute
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Science
Course Coordinator
- Charlotte Mason (15-666b64756f727777683170647672714371656c316e7831676e)
Teacher
Charlotte Mason
Oleg Ruchayskiy
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