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AS5004 Cosmology

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Limited to students enrolled in any MPhys programme at the School of Physics and Astronomy, or in the MSc in Astrophysics programme.

Planned timetable

To be confirmed

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module Staff

Dr Rita Tojeiro

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module covers the evolution of the Universe, from Inflation to the present day, in 5 parts: 1) the smooth expanding Universe; 2) the early Universe; 3) the inhomogeneous Universe; 4) observational probes in cosmology; 5) cosmology in society.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

PH3081 OR PH3082 OR WITH PERMISSION OF THE MSC ADVISER

Anti-requisites

AS5003 BUT ONLY IF THAT MODULE WAS TAKEN IN AY 2022-23 OR EARLIER

Assessment pattern

75% Written Examination and 25% Coursework

Re-assessment

100% Oral Examination, capped at grade 7

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

3 lectures or tutorials (x10 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

30

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

120

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Describe the universe and its evolution with time in terms of key cosmological parameters.
  • Motivate inflationary theories of the early universe within the context of the Big Bang model, and track the dynamical evolution of simple inflationary models.
  • Follow the growth of structure, from the early Universe to the formation of galaxies, using key physical equations.
  • Describe key cosmological observables (Cosmic Microwave Background, Large-Scale Structure, Type 1a Supernova) and explain how they can be used to derive cosmological parameters.
  • Demonstrate an awareness of the wider impact of the discipline, in terms of sustainability and inclusion.
  • Engage with current research literature in observational cosmology, and contextualise module material within it.

AS5004 Cosmology

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Limited to students enrolled in any MPhys programme at the School of Physics and Astronomy, or in the MSc in Astrophysics programme.

Planned timetable

To be confirmed

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module Staff

TBC

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module covers the evolution of the Universe, from Inflation to the present day, in 5 parts: 1) the smooth expanding Universe; 2) the early Universe; 3) the inhomogeneous Universe; 4) observational probes in cosmology; 5) cosmology in society.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

PH3081 OR PH3082 OR WITH PERMISSION OF THE MSC ADVISER

Anti-requisites

AS5003 BUT ONLY IF THAT MODULE WAS TAKEN IN AY 2022-23 OR EARLIER

Assessment pattern

75% Written Examination and 25% Coursework

Re-assessment

100% Oral Examination, capped at grade 7

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

3 lectures or tutorials (x10 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

30

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

120

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Describe the universe and its evolution with time in terms of key cosmological parameters.
  • Motivate inflationary theories of the early universe within the context of the Big Bang model, and track the dynamical evolution of simple inflationary models.
  • Follow the growth of structure, from the early Universe to the formation of galaxies, using key physical equations.
  • Describe key cosmological observables (Cosmic Microwave Background, Large-Scale Structure, Type 1a Supernova) and explain how they can be used to derive cosmological parameters.
  • Demonstrate an awareness of the wider impact of the discipline, in terms of sustainability and inclusion.
  • Engage with current research literature in observational cosmology, and contextualise module material within it.

Additional information from school

To be confirmed.