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Lecturer(s)
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Richterek Lukáš, Mgr. Ph.D.
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Course content
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1. Observed Properties and Structure of the Universe: historical cosmological concepts, Olbers' paradox, Mach's principle, the cosmological principle, galaxies, radio sources, observations across various regions of the spectrum, homogeneity, isotropy, and the expansion of the universe. 2. Friedmann's models of the universe: fundamental equations of relativistic cosmology, Friedmann-Robertson-Walker models, cosmological redshift, Hubble's law. 3. Observational parameters of cosmological models: the Hubble constant, the deceleration parameter, the density parameter, the cosmological constant, the age and density of the universe, the dark matter problem, alternative cosmological models, and the anthropic principle. 4. The early universe: recombination, cosmic microwave background radiation, nucleosynthesis of light elements, unification of interactions, spontaneous symmetry breaking, the Higgs mechanism, singularity, topological defects. 5. Inflationary models: problems with the standard model, inflationary scenarios, quantization of Friedmann universes, selected ideas in string cosmology. 6. Structure formation in the universe: gravitational instabilities, cosmological perturbations, scenarios for the formation of galaxies and large-scale structures. 7. Fundamentals of stellar astrophysics: luminosity, stellar sizes, the H-R diagram, mechanical and thermodynamic equilibrium, thermonuclear reactions, energy balance, and energy transfer. 8. Selected astrophysical problems: gravitational lensing, binary pulsars, accretion disks around rotating massive objects, and active galactic nuclei.
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training), Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Work with Text (with Book, Textbook)
- Attendace
- 13 hours per semester
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Learning outcomes
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The aim of this course is to provide students with an overview of the basic concepts, principles, and models of relativistic cosmology and selected areas of astrophysics. Emphasis is placed on a qualitative understanding of the physical picture of the universe, on the relationship between theoretical models and observations, and on the ability to critically interpret current knowledge about the structure, evolution, and early stages of the universe. The lecture is supplemented with examples of current observational data, images of astronomical objects, animations, and an analysis of recent findings.
A course focused on acquiring knowledge. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to: - describe the main types of Friedmann-Robertson-Walker models and their physical interpretation; - explain the significance of the cosmological redshift, Hubble's law, and the basic observational parameters of cosmological models; - characterize the main stages of the early universe's evolution, including recombination, cosmic microwave background radiation, nucleosynthesis, and inflation; - explain the fundamental mechanisms of structure formation in the universe; - describe the basic physical properties of stars and the principles governing their equilibrium and evolution; - interpret selected current results of cosmological and astrophysical observations; - critically evaluate a scholarly or popular science source related to contemporary cosmology or astrophysics; - present a selected topic from relativistic cosmology or astrophysics concisely and clearly.
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Prerequisites
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There are no formal prerequisites; a basic understanding of college-level physics, equivalent to an introductory college physics course, is assumed. Recommended for students in the upper years of a bachelor's or master's program (the course should also be accessible to high school students with a deeper interest in physics). The derivations make use of the fundamentals of differential and integral calculus.
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Student performance
Assessment of learning outcomes takes place on an ongoing basis and during the final exam. Students will fulfil the course requirements based on: 1. active participation in at least 50% of classes and discussions, particularly during the analysis of current findings in cosmology and astrophysics; 2. the preparation and presentation of a short paper on a selected current topic in relativistic cosmology, observational cosmology, or astrophysics; 3. the submission of a short annotated portfolio; 4. a colloquium discussion in which the student demonstrates familiarity with the basic concepts, models, and arguments covered in the course. The annotated portfolio includes 3 short entries prepared during the semester, each of which will be approximately 1-2 A4 pages in length or an equivalent structured format. The portfolio may include: - a commentary on a current observational result, for example, in the field of measurements of the Hubble constant, cosmic microwave background radiation, dark matter, dark energy, gravitational waves, exoplanets, or galaxies; - a qualitative analysis of one cosmological or astrophysical concept, such as redshift, the cosmological horizon, inflation, nucleosynthesis, or the H-R diagram; - a simple calculation or estimate, accompanied by a commentary on the physical significance of the result; - a critical comparison of a popular and a more specialized source on the same topic; - a short summary of a specialized or popular science text, including an assessment of the source's credibility. The final exam will be based on the portfolio and the presented paper.
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Recommended literature
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Guidry M. (2019). Modern General Relativity: Black Holes, Gravitational Waves, and Cosmology.
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Hartle, J.B. (2003). Gravity: An introduction to Einstein's general relativity. San Francisco.
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Horský J., Novotný J., Štefaník M. (2001). Mechanika ve fyzice. Praha.
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Horský J., Novotný J., Štefaník M. (2004). Úvod do fyzikální kosmologie. Praha.
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Liddle A. (1999). An introduction to modern cosmology. Chichester.
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Narlikar J.V. (1993). Introduction to cosmology.
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Peacock J.A. (1999). Cosmological physics.
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Richterek, L. (2013). Teorie relativity a astronomie. Olomouc.
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Ryden B. (2003). Introduction to Cosmology. San Francisco.
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Ryden B. (2016). Introduction to Cosmology.
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Weinberg S. (1972). Gravitation and Cosmology. New York.
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