AST4320 – Cosmology and Extragalactic Astronomy
Course content
This course provides an overview of extragalactic astronomy with an emphasis on the development of large-scale structures and galaxy formation. The first part of the course deals with the development of large structures from small perturbations and links the statistical properties of the cosmic density perturbations to the observed statistical properties of galaxies. The second part of this course focuses on the formation and evolution of galaxies as well as the link between the evolution of galaxies and supermassive black holes. This section addresses many topics that are currently being actively researched, such as the small-scale problems of the model of cold dark matter, star formation throughout the history of the universe, the formation of supermassive black holes, supernovae, and active galaxy nuclei.?
Learning outcome
After completing?this?course, you will be able to:?
- apply Newtonian perturbation theory and understand linear structure formation as well as the statistical methods used to describe it.
- assess the spherical collapse model in structure formation, both qualitatively and quantitatively.
- discuss and understand the distribution and clustering of galaxies and how they depend on the cosmic density field.
- discuss the role of the baryons in galaxy formation and how baryonic feedback processes impact galaxy evolution.
- convey and analyze the role of baryons in structure formation simulations.?
Admission to the course
Students admitted at UiO must apply for courses in Studentweb. Students enrolled in other Master's Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.
The course has a max capacity of 25 students. Based on experience, there is generally room for everyone who applies for admission to the course within the deadline.
Recommended previous knowledge
Bachelor’s Degree from the programme Fysikk og astronomi (bachelor) or comparable.
Teaching
Teaching extends over one semester. There are 4 hours of lectures and 2 hours of group sessions/tutorial exercises each week.
Examination
- One compulsory assignment, which will be assessed with a pass/fail grade, and only the ones with a pass grade can attend the final exam. The grade of the compulsory assignment does not count towards the final grade. Read more about reuse of compulsory assignments.
- One numerical project on cosmic structure formation, which counts 30 % towards the final grade.?
- Oral presentation (20-25 minutes) on a chosen topic related to the course content (a list of topics will be handed out). The presentation counts 20 % towards the final grade.
- Final written exam, which counts 50 % towards the final grade.
The final grade is determined after an overall assessment of all the parts.?
Examination support material
You can use resources including lecture notes, textbooks, papers in the literature, and online resources for the assignment. Communication between classmates is also allowed. However, you must finish the work by yourself, and copying of others' work or previous years' assignments and solutions will be considered plagiarism.?
You can use a calculator that meets the standard requirement by UiO and the formula book by Rottmann.?
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system .
Resit an examination
Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a postponed examination at the beginning of the next semester.
Re-scheduled examinations are not offered to students who withdraw during, or did not pass the original examination.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.