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Course Description: This course prepares the student for state-of-the-art research in
galaxy formation and evolution. The course focusses on the physical
processes underlying the formation and evolution of galaxies in a LCDM
cosmology. Topics include Newtonian perturbation theory, the spherical
collapse model, formation and structure of dark matter haloes
(including Press-Schechter theory), the virial theorem, dynamical
friction, cooling processes, theory of star formation, feedback
processes, elements of stellar population synthesis, chemical
evolution modeling, AGN, and supermassive black holes. The course also
includes a detailed treatment of statistical tools used to describe
the large scale distribution of galaxies and introduces the student to
the concepts of galaxy bias and halo occupation modeling. During the
final lectures we will discuss a number of outstanding issues in
galaxy formation, and the students will present and discuss their term
paper on a current topic in the field of galaxy formation & evolution.
Syllabus:
Click here for download
Lecture Hours:
| Grading: |
40% Final Exam (Oral) |
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30% Term Paper & Presentation (topic picked in class) |
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30% Problem Sets |
| Lecture Notes: |
Lecture 1 |
Introduction; Galaxy Formation in a Nutshell [Blackboard presentation; no slides] |
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Lecture 2 |
Cosmology (Riemannian geometry, FRW metric) |
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Lecture 3 |
Cosmology (General Relativity, Friedmann equations) |
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Lecture 4 |
Structure Formation in the Non-Linear Regime I: Foreplay |
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Lecture 5 |
Structure Formation in the Non-Linear Regime II: Baryons |
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Lecture 6 |
Structure Formation in the Non-Linear Regime III: Dark Matter |
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Lecture 7 |
Transfer Function & Cosmic Microwave Background |
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Lecture 8 |
Non-Linear Collapse & Relaxation |
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Lecture 9 |
Press-Schechter Theory & Halo Mass Functions |
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Lecture 10 |
Merger Trees & Halo Bias |
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Lecture 11 |
Structure of Dark Matter Haloes |
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Lecture 12 |
Large Scale Structure |
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Lecture 13 |
The Halo Model & Halo Occupation Statistics |
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Lecture 14 |
Cooling & Photo-Ionization Heating |
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Lecture 15 |
Galaxy Interactions & Transformations |
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Lecture 16 |
Star Formation |
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Lecture 17 |
Supernova Feedback |
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Lecture 18 |
Structure & Formation of Disk Galaxies |
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Lecture 19 |
Structure & Formation of Elliptical Galaxies |
Term Paper & Presentation:
Each student will write a term paper (6-12 pages) on a topic related to galaxy formation
that is of current interest (a list with topics and relevant papers will be made available
in class). Durng the final 3/4 classes, the students will present their term paper in
class (20 min) and lead a discussion on their topic.
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. Students are strongly encouraged to
purchase a copy of this textbook, following
(Cambridge University Press, 2010; ISBN 978-0-521-85793-2, hardcover). |
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