Relativity and cosmology II

Summary

This course is the basic introduction to modern cosmology. It introduces students to the main concepts and formalism of cosmology, the observational status of Hot Big Bang theory and discusses major physical processes in the early Universe.

Content

Keywords

1. Expansion of the Universe
2. Hot Big Bang theory
3. Dark matter
4. Accelerated expansion of the Universe
5. Inflation
6. Cosmic Microwave background radiation

Learning Prerequisites

Required courses

Analytical Mechanics

Classical Electrodynamics

Statistical Physics I

Relativity and Cosmology I

Recommended courses

Quantum Physics III

Relativistic quantum fields I

Nuclear and Particle Physics I, II

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

• Estimate the lifetime of the Universe, knowing the cosmological parameters
• Formulate the main observational evidence for the hot Big Bang theory
• Describe basic cosmological epochs

Transversal skills

• Use a work methodology appropriate to the task.

Teaching methods

Ex cathedra and exercises

Assessment methods

final written exam 100%

Supervision

Resources

Bibliography

1. L. Landau, Lifshitz, "The classical Theory of Fields"
2. V. Rubakov, D. Gorbunov, "Introduction to the Theory of the Early Universe, Hot Big Bang Theory"
3. V. Rubakov, D. Gorbunov, "Introduction to the Theory of the Early Universe, Cosmological Perturbations and Inflationary Theory"

Ressources en bibliothèque

• Gravitation and Cosmology / Weinberg
• The classical Theory of Fields / Landau
• The Early Universe / Kolb

Moodle Link

• https://go.epfl.ch/PHYS-428