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401-3961-00L 10 Credits BSC , MSC D-MATH

Physical Cosmology (University of Zurich)

No enrolment to this course at ETH Zurich. Book the corresponding module directly at UZH as an incoming student. UZH Module Code: AST513 Mind the enrolment deadlines at UZH:

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Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:14:42

Abstract

We study the history of our universe on large scales. We first discuss key cosmological observations that led to our standard model of cosmology, and we study in detail the origin and the evolution of the Universe such as inflation, big bang nucleosynthesis, and cosmic microwave background anisotropies. In the second part we learn (relativistic) perturbation theory ...

Content

In this course (formerly known as theoretical cosmology), we study the history of our universe on large scales. We first discuss key cosmological observations that led to our standard model of cosmology, and we study in detail the origin and the evolution of the Universe such as inflation, big bang nucleosynthesis, and cosmic microwave background anisotropies. In the second part we learn (relativistic) perturbation theory and apply it to initial conditions, large-scale structure and weak gravitational lensing.

Resources

Literature

Sugestted textbooks: H. Mo, F. Van den Bosch, S. White: Galaxy Formation and Evolution S. Carroll: Space-Time and Geometry: An Introduction to General Relativitv S. Dodelson: Modern Cosmoloay Secondary textbooks: S. Weinberg: Gravitation and Cosmology V. Mukhanov: Phvsical Foundations of Cosmology E. W. Kolb and M. S. Turner: The Early Universe N. Straumann: General relativity with applications to astrophysics A. Liddle and D. Lvth: Cosmological Inflation and Large Scale Structure

General Information

Language: English
Levels: BSC , MSC
Frequency: Yearly recurring

Examination

Type: graded semester performance

Registration and exam modalities, date and venue of this performance assessment are specified solely by UZH.

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
lecture	Physical Cosmology (University of Zurich) together with University of Zurich	No time listed	4 h weekly
exercise	Physical Cosmology (University of Zurich) together with University of Zurich	No time listed	2 h weekly