65353 - COSMOLOGY

Conoscenze e abilità da conseguire

At the end of the course, the student will have the basic knowledge of the modern cosmology, based on the General Relativity and on the Hot Big Bang model. In particular the student knows in critical way: the assumptions underlying the Big Bang model and their consequences; the thermal history of universe and the corresponding epochs; the model of inflation; the theory of formation of cosmic structures. Finally the student will be able to present and discuss in critical way the constraints coming from observational data.

Contenuti

• First principles of cosmological models.
• The Friedmann models.
• Thermal history of the Hot Big Bang model.
• The very early universe.
• Phase transitions and Inflation.
• The lepton and the plasma eras.
• Jeans theory in expanding universes.
• Gravitational instability for baryonic and non-baryonic matter.
• Dark Matter.
• Statistics of perturbations.
• Cosmology with galaxy clusters.
• Cosmic background radiation.

Testi/Bibliografia

Fundamental books:

• Lecture slides and notes (available on the Virtuale platform, https://virtuale.unibo.it)
• P. Coles, F. Lucchin: Cosmology - The origin and evolution of Cosmic Structure, Wiley [Chapters 1-2, 4-15, 16-18];
• V. Mukhanov: Physical Foundations of Cosmology, Cambridge (Chapter 5);

Other useful additional readings:

• D. Baumann: Cosmology, Cambridge University Press
• N. Vittorio, Cosmology, CRC Press
• D. Huterer: A course in Cosmology, Cambridge University Press
• E.W. Kolb, M.S. Turner: The early universe, Addison-Wesley
• P.J.E. Peebles: Principles of physical cosmology, Princeton University
• J.A. Peacock: Cosmological Physics, Cambridge University Press
• T. Padmanabhan: Structure formation in the universe, Cambridge University Press
• B. Ryden: Introduction to Cosmology, Cambridge University Press

Metodi didattici

The course is delivered as a single module, worth 8 CFU (corresponding to 64 hours) of in-person lectures.

Lectures will include the critical discussion and resolution of selected problems, as well as the illustration of various applications of the results achieved.

Modalità di verifica e valutazione dell'apprendimento

The exam is an oral exam. The aim of the interview is to verify that the student has the basic knowledge of modern cosmology and that he/she can discuss in a critical way the properties of the various cosmological models and their comparison with present observational data.

The exam starts from a topic chosen by the student, this will be followed by some more detailed discussion on the same topic and by questions on other different topics covered in the course.

The overall assessment (expressed as a mark out of thirty) will be graded as follows:

• Knowledge limited to a very small number of topics covered in the course, with analytical skills emerging only with the lecturer’s guidance; generally correct language use → 18–19;
• Knowledge of a limited number of topics addressed during the course, with autonomous analytical skills evident only in routine or procedural matters; correct use of language → 20–24;
• Broad knowledge of the topics covered in the course, ability to make independent critical analyses, and confident use of subject-specific terminology → 25–28;
• Comprehensive knowledge of the course content, demonstrated ability to make independent critical analyses and connections, full command of subject-specific terminology, and strong argumentative and self-reflective skills → 29–30L.

As decided by the Degree Programme Board, a mark may be declined no more than twice.

Students with learning disabilities or temporary or permanent disabilities: please contact the relevant University office promptly (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it ). The office will advise students of possible adjustments, that will be submitted to the professor for approval 15 days in advance. He/she will evaluate their suitability also in relation to the academic objectives of the course.

Strumenti a supporto della didattica

Lectures will be delivered using the blackboard and, when necessary, supplemented with slides projected in the classroom.

Orario di ricevimento

Consulta il sito web di Lauro Moscardini