COSMOLOGY AND GALAXY FORMATION - 2023/4

Module Overview

In this module, students will learn about the observational evidence and theoretical framework of our standard model of cosmology. Using this framework, they will go on to learn about the growth of structure in the Universe and the formation and evolution of galaxies.

 

Module provider

Mathematics & Physics

Module Leader

COLLINS Michelle (Maths & Phys)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

The module will assume prior knowledge equivalent to the following modules. If you have not taken these modules you should consult the module descriptors: PHY2071 Introduction to Astronomy (or BSc Physics Year 2 equivalent)

Module content

- General overview and introduction -

Historical background, observational cosmology and extragalactic astronomy, Big Bang and the early Universe, the cosmic microwave background, contents of the Universe: baryons, radiation, dark matter and dark energy. The cosmological principle, isotropy and homogeneity, standard candles and cosmic distances, the distance ladder, Hubble's law.

- Cosmological models -

The Friedmann equations, cosmological parameters, observational tests of the Friedman model, redshift and various distance measures in cosmology, matter and radiation dominated expansion, the flatness and the horizon problem, inflation, the thermal history of the Universe, recombination, the surface of last scattering, synthesis of the light elements. Observational constraints of our cosmological models (CMB, clustering, Lyman alpha alpha forest, reionisation of H and He).

- Formation of structure -

Growth of perturbations: gravitational instabilities in an expanding space-time, formation of large scale structure, the cosmic web, statistical properties of cosmological density fields: correlation functions and power spectra from theory and observations, Press-Schecter theory,  Non-linear collapse, virialisation and the formation of dark matter haloes, the dark matter halo mass function, the halo model, halo bias.

- Galaxy Formation -

Dissipative collapse, cooling and heating processes, origin of angular momentum: tidal torque theory, disk formation, the role of galaxy mergers, modes of accretion: hot vs. cold inflow, the inter-galactic medium, the galaxy luminosity function, the galaxy-dark matter halo connection.

- Galaxy Evolution -

Galactic scaling relations: the Tully-Fisher and Faber-Jackson relation and the fundamental plane. The Hubble sequence and the blue and red sequence of galaxies. The high redshift Universe: the cosmic star formation history, gas rich high redshift galaxies, results from numerical simulations. Star formation and feedback processes. Puzzles in galaxy formation theory: the missing satellite problem, missing baryon problem, overcooling.

 

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

NA

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate core competencies in astrophysics materials, through examination, essay writing, and short online questions.

The summative assessment for this module consists of:

- a written examination of 2-hour duration with a section of short compulsory questions, and a section of longer questions with a choice of 2 out of 3.

- a midterm essay question.

- a series of biweekly graded questions on SurreyLearn.

 

Formative assessment and feedback

Formative assessment is provided by verbal feedback in problem solving tutorials and lecture classes. An example formative SurreyLearn quiz is also available.

Module aims

• To provide the students with a coherent picture of our cosmological world view and the formation and evolution of galaxies and large scale structures. The module will provide the necessary theoretical framework to describe the evolution of the Universe and the principles structure formation.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to increase students’ critical understanding of physics and astrophysics, and through this module to provide students with the opportunity to explore both the theoretical and experimental concepts of Cosmology and Galaxy Formation.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• lectures (2hrs per week x 11 weeks) ‘


• tutorials (1hr per week x 11 weeks)


• independent study

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: PHY3055

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2023/4 academic year.