| ASTRO/PHYS 5580: Extra-Galactic Astronomy & Cosmology |
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Course Description: This course provides the student with a background in modern cosmology and extragalactic astronomy. It discusses, at a fairly introductory level, the structure and formation of galaxies, clusters and large scale structure in an expanding Universe dominated by dark matter and dark energy. After an overview of the observed properties of galaxies, clusters, and the large scale structure of the Universe, the course presents a physical description of our current understanding of structure formation in an expanding Universe. Topics include the Robertson-Walker metric, the Friedmann equations, the cosmic microwave background, Newtonian perturbation theory, the spherical collapse model, formation and structure of dark matter haloes (including Press-Schechter theory), collisionless dynamics (collisionless Boltzmann equation & Jeans equations), and an expose of current topics in galaxy formation & evolution. Syllabus: click here for download Lecture Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays: 9.10 - 10.30am in INSCC 465 (NOTE CHANGE OF CLASS ROOM) Office Hours: Wednesdays & Fridays: 2.00 - 3.00pm (Office: INSCC 460)
Main Textbook: Galaxy Formation & Evolution by H. Mo, F. van den Bosch & S. White This course will closely follow this upper-level textbook which presents an in-depth discussion on all topics of relevance for the formation and evolution of galaxies. Since the textbook will not yet be available at the time of the lecture series, hand-outs will be distributed during class. (Cambridge University Press, 2010; ISBN 978-0-521-85793-2, hardcover) Other Recommended Textbooks: Galaxies in the Universe: An Introduction (2nd Edition) by L. Sparke & J. Gallagher Good textbook at introductory level (Cambridge University Press, 2007; ISBN 978-0-521-67186-6, paperback). Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology: An Introduction by P. Schneider A good second reference for this course. The book contains a good and up-to-date description of all key concepts in extragalactic astronomy and cosmology, but does not delve too deeply into mathematical formalisms and proofs. The book is very well illustrated (Springer 2006; ISBN 978-3-540-33174-2, hardcover). Galactic Dynamics (2nd Edition) by J. Binney & S. Tremaine An excellent textbook for topics related to the collisionless dynamics of galaxies, galaxy clusters, globular clusters and dark matter haloes (Princeton University Press, 2008; ISBN 978-0-691-13027-9, paperback). Galactic Astronomy by J. Binney & M. Merrifield This textbook focusses mostly on observational aspects of galaxies (Princeton University Press, 2008; ISBN 978-0-691-02565-7, paperback). The Structure and Evolution of Galaxies by S. Phillipps Excellent textbook at the introductory level (John Wiley & Sons,Ltd, 2005; ISBN 978-0-470-85507-X, paperback).
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