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Formation and Evolution of Galaxies in CDM
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:19:01
Abstract
The physics of galaxy formation in a Cold Dark Matter framework
Objective
The course describes the physical processes that are relevant to the formation of galaxies in a Cold Dark Matter scenario, starting with the dynamical growth of density perturbations and ending with models of galaxy formation.
Content
(1) Galaxies and their evolution: the z=0 galaxy population and its physical properties, including dark matter and arguments favoring "Cold" Dark Matter (CDM); evolution of galaxy stellar populations, number counts and luminosity functions; high redshift galaxies and their physical properties. (2) Active galaxies: Properties; emission mechanisms; evolution of active galaxies; black holes as central engines; black hole masses and demographics. (3) Principles of galaxy formation in CDM: Hierarchies and the Press-Schechter approach; cooling and the intergalactic medium; biased galaxy formation. (4) The physics of galaxy formation and evolution: gravitational dynamics; non-linear models for gravitational collapse; statistics of hierarchical clustering; internal structure of clumps; models for galaxy formation (cooling and the luminosity and structure of galaxies; galaxy formation through hierarchical clustering).
Resources
Lecture Notes
Scripts will be provided. No textbook necessary.
Literature
The scripts that will be provided in Class are based on the following material: - Cosmological Physics, John A. Peacock, Cambridge University Press - S. White, Lecture Notes given at Les Houches, available on-line at: http://xxx.lanl.gov/abs/astro-ph?papernum=9410043 [IMPORTANT WARNING: If you download these lecture notes, please be careful, as in some parts they are "obsolete". The scripts that will be provided in our class will have been updated].
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DS
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- oral 20 minutes
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture |
Formation and Evolution of Galaxies in CDM
The class will start on March 28, 2007.
|
|
2 h weekly |
| exercise |
Formation and Evolution of Galaxies in CDM
unless otherwise agreed
|
|
1 h weekly |
Offered In
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Mathematics, Computational Science and Engineering (Mathematics, Physics Those who want to register for elective courses in the diploma degree programme im Mathematics, should select these from the range of courses of the Master programme in Mathematics. Those who want to register for core subject and elective courses in the diploma degree programme in Physics, should select these from the range of courses of the Master programme in Physics (Core Courses: Theoretical Physics, Core Courses: Experimental Physics, Electives: Physics and Mathematics). The same holds for seminars and semester projects and papers.)
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