Cosmology

The observed universe
- Cosmological principle and kinematics
- Dynamics of Friedmann-Lemaître space-time
   * Cosmological parameters and dark energy
- Thermal history of the universe
   * Kinetic theory in curved space-time
   * Freeze-out of interactions and relics
- Big-Bang-Nucleosynthesis
   * Abundance of light elements
   * Dark matter

These lectures will introduce the students to the cosmological
observations and theoretical models at the root of modern physical
cosmology. In particular, we will show how the expansion of the
universe and the relative abundances of the light nuclei can be
predicted from the laws of Physics. While the agreements between these
predictions and their actual measurements have validated the Big-Bang
model of Friedmann and Lemaître, they now suggest the existence of new
forms of matter and energy, referred to as "dark".

The contribution of this Teaching Unit to the development and command of the skills and learning outcomes of the programme(s) can be accessed at the end of this sheet, in the section entitled “Programmes/courses offering this Teaching Unit”.