| TFYA71 |
Cosmology, 6 ECTS credits.
/Kosmologi/
For:
FyN
MFYS
Y
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OBS! |
The course is offered every second year. It will be available during 2017
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Prel. scheduled
hours: 38
Rec. self-study hours: 122
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Area of Education: Science
Main field of studies: Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Applied Physics
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Advancement level
(G1, G2, A): A
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Aim:
This course outlines the development of cosmological models from earliest times to today, with the main emphasis on the 'Big Bang ' model, although other models will also be considered. A discussion of the inadequacies of Newtonian Mechanics and Special Relativity Theory motivates the need for General Relativity Theory and the associated mathematical tools for calculations in curved spacetimes, which enable physical phenomena such as Mercury's orbit, the deflection of light, the expansion of the universe, black holes, the initial Big Bang singularity, and the final fate of the universe to be investigated.
To pass this course students will need to:
- have an overview of the main historical cosmological models and be able to repeat simple historical geometric calculations.
- have an overview of today's cosmological models and make simple calculations on the cosmic distance hierarchy.
- be able to make simple calculations in Newtonian Mechanics and Special Relativity, and understand their inadequacies in cosmology.
- understand the physical basis of general relativity, and carry out calculations in curved spacetime involving metrics and geodesics.
- be able to carry out calculations in curved spacetime near massive objects using the Schwarzschild metric.
- be able to carry out calculations to make comparisons between different cosmological models using the Robertson-Walker metric.
- be able to derive the Friedmann equations and use them to study the history of the universe according to the different models of the universe.
- understand the relevance of the cosmic black-body radiation in the 'Big Bang' theory
- have an overview of some alternative cosmological theories.
- have an overview of the most recent developments and theories.
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Prerequisites: (valid for students admitted to programmes within which the course is offered)
Calculus in several variables, Linear Algebra, Vector Analysis, and basic knowledge of physics including Wave motion, Mechanics, Thermodynamics and familiarity with the special theory of relativity (corresponding e.g. to a course in Modern Physics). The course is suitable for physics, mathematics and engineering students without previous knowledge of the subject, but a basic course in Astronomy can be studied as a background.
Note: Admission requirements for non-programme students usually also include admission requirements for the programme and threshhold requirements for progression within the programme, or corresponding.
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Supplementary courses:
Theory of Relativity, for a more thorough treatment of general relativity.
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Organisation:
Lectures.
The course runs over the entire spring semester.
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Course contents:
An overview of cosmological theories from earliest times to the present day. Cosmography. The difference between Newton's mechanics and the relativity theories. A simple presentation of curved space. Geodesics. Relativistic phenomena close to massive objects. Relativistic cosmology and the Big Bang. Description of the standard model of cosmology, including concepts as accelerating universe, inflation, dark matter, dark energy.
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Course literature:
Berry, M. V: Principles of Cosmology and Gravitation. Institute of Physics Publishing 1989, plus complementary material handed out during the course
Alternative: A. Liddle: An Introduction to Modern Cosmology, 2nd Edition (Wiley, 2003);
B. Ryden: Introduction to Cosmology (Addison Wesley, 2003)
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Examination: |
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Hand-in assignments and presentation
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6 ECTS
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Hand-in assignments may give grades (U,3,4); a written mini-project may increase the grade with at most one step. |
Course language is Swedish/English.
Department offering the course: IFM.
Director of Studies: Magnus Johansson
Examiner: Magnus Johansson
Link to the course homepage at the department
Course Syllabus in Swedish
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