NFYB19002U Cosmology (Astro3)

Volume 2021/2022
Education

BSc Programme in Physics

Content

The course give an introduction to cosmology; the formation, content and evolution of the universe. There will be several inspiraional lectures by recognized scientists.

The course will give the students a sense of how astrophysics and cosmology build upon concepts from nearly all parts of modern physics. Therefore, there will be a basic intruduction to astronomy and the physics necessary for cosmology during the course.

Learning Outcome

Skills

The aim of the course is that the student:

  • can account for the observational basis of cosmology
  • can write up and find simple solutions to the Friedmann equation, the fluid equation and the equation of state
  • can account for what is meant by dark matter adn dark energy as well as account for the evidence for the existence of these components.
  • Can account for the equation of state for matter, radiation and dark energy.
  • can account for how rotation curves of spiral galaxies and the properties of galactic clusters give evidence for the existence of dark matter.
  • can account for and conduct simple calculations based on the basic physics behind recombination.
  • can account for and conduct simple calculations based on the basic physics behind the big bang nucleosynthesis.
  • can read scientific papers and present them to others.

 

Knowledge

It will be emphasized that the student acheives a basic understanding of the Big Bang model including why this is the prevalent theory, an insight into modern cosmological problems such as what is dark matter, what is dark energy, what is the cosmic microwave radiation and how were light elements (particularly hydrogen, deuterium, helium and lithium) formed.

it will also be emphasized that the student can obtain knowledge from the scientific litterature and convey this to other students.

 

Competences

The course gives the student competences for further studies within cosmology and astrophysics, e.g. through projects or advanced corses.

See Absalojn for course material. The following is an example of suggested course litterature:

Barabara Ryden: Introduction to cosmology

It is recommended that the student has followed courses corresponding to the mandatory physics, mathematics and astrophysics of the first two years of the physics B.Sc. with specialisation in astrophysics.
Lectures, exercise classes, inspirational lectures, presentations of litterature studies, discussions.
The course is identical to NFYB16008U Kosmologi.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 32
  • Preparation
  • 142
  • Theory exercises
  • 28
  • Exam
  • 4
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written examination, 4 hours under invigilation
Continuous assessment
The continuous evaluation consists of 5 hand-ins and/or presentations, each counting for 4%.
The final written exam counts for 80%.
Aid
All aids allowed

 

 

Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
several internal examiners
Re-exam

Oral examination, about 25 minutes (counts 80%).

5 written problems (counts 20% - 4% per problem)

Already approves problems can be re-uses up to six months after their approval. The student may choose to hand in one or more new problems until 2 weeks before the re-exam.

Criteria for exam assesment

see learning outcome