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Outline:

This module provides an introduction to basic cosmological principles and a summary of selected topics in extragalactic astronomy. The module will summarise the essential physics describing the evolution and thermal history of our Universe and its consequences, explain the formation of structure in our Universe, discuss the properties of galaxies relevant for their use in cosmology and review the range of observational techniques for constraining the cosmological model.

Aims:

1. Summarise the essential physics describing the evolution of the Universe
2. Summarise the thermal history of our Universe and its consequences
3. Explain the structure formation in our Universe
4. Discuss the properties of galaxies relevant for their use in cosmology
5. Review the range of observational techniques used to constrain the cosmological model.

Intended Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the module, a student will have learnt to:

1. Quantitatively describe the expansion of the Universe using Friedmann-Robertson-Walker models.
2. Quantitatively follow the thermal evolution of different components of the Universe.
3. Quantitatively describe the growth of structure in the early Universe and the resulting power spectrum of matter.
4. Qualitatively describe the properties of baryons after the era of recombination.
5. Summarise the basic properties of galaxies in the Universe and how these properties are relevant for cosmology.
6. Give an overview of a number of different observational probes and techniques that are used to constrain the properties of our Universe.

Teaching and Learning Methodology:

This module is delivered via weekly lectures supplemented by problem-solving tutorials.

In addition to timetabled lecture hours, it is expected that students engage in self-study in order to master the material. This can take the form, for example, of reading forthcoming lecture notes, practising example questions and further reading in textbooks and online.

Indicative Topics:

1. The dynamics of the expanding Universe
2. The Big Bang and the theory of inflation
3. The thermal history of radiation and matter
4. The linear growth of structure and the power spectrum of matter
5. The properties of baryons during the dark ages and reionisation of the Universe
6. The properties of galaxies and their use as cosmological probes
7. Observational methods for constraining the cosmological model including summaries of the cosmic microwave background, Type Ia supernovae, gravitational waves, gravitational lensing and galaxy clustering.