280544 SE Current topics in cosmology and astroparticle physics (2025S)

Cosmology and astroparticle physics are the fields where fundamental physics touches astrophysics with many developments due to new
telescopes and space missions, ground based observatories, underground experiments but also theoretical and computational advances. The aim of this seminar is for MSc and PhD students in astrophysics or physics to get familiar with current topics in the field of physical cosmology and astroparticle physics, as well as train their presentation skills. Beginning MSc students can focus on giving an introductory overview of a topic, while more advanced MSc students and PhD students can present a recent paper on a topic in more detail, but are also welcome to give a topical overview (not directly related to their research project). Each participating student will prepare a presentation including a handout related to current hot topics in cosmology, such as

- the cosmic microwave background
- gravitational waves as a cosmological probe
- weak gravitational lensing
- baryon acoustic oscillations and galaxy clustering
- the H0 tension and the distance ladder
- cosmic inflation and the initial conditions of our Universe
- dark matter models (and how we can constrain them)
- dark energy and modified gravity
- current tensions and challenges to the LCDM standard model
- cosmological simulations
- machine learning or statistical techniques applied to problems in cosmology
- reionization of the Universe and the first galaxies
- non-gravitational signatures of dark matter (direct and indirect detection, self-interactions)
- stars as laboratories for new physics
- 21cm cosmology and new physics interplay
- other topics can be suggested by the participants in the first unit (!)

Literature suggestions will be provided for any of the topics. Exemplary topics will be introduced in the first class after which students can sign up for.

Following each presentation, we will discuss the topic that we learned about together; active participation is a requirement in the course.