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Concepts of Galaxy Formation
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:29:36
Abstract
The course will develop basic concepts behind the formation of galaxies in the context of Cold Dark Matter.
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) Principles of galaxy formation in CDM: Hierarchies and the Press-Schechter approach; cooling and the intergalactic medium; biased galaxy formation; models for galaxy formation, with emphasis on 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
- MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- oral 20 minutes
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Concepts of Galaxy Formation |
|
2 h weekly |
| exercise | Concepts of Galaxy Formation |
|
1 h weekly |