The author – a leading theoretical cosmologist – expands on his widely acclaimed lecture notes in this self-contained textbook, suitable for the advanced undergraduate or starting graduate level. Presenting the key theoretical foundations of cosmology and describing the observations that have turned the subject into a precision science, the author keeps the student in mind on every page by explaining concepts step-by-step, in an approachable manner. After describing the dynamics of the homogeneous universe, the book traces the evolution of small density fluctuations, which were created quantum-mechanically during inflation and are today observed in the cosmic microwave background and the large-scale structure of the universe. The book is ideally suited as a course companion or for self-study. With all necessary background material covered, students have everything they need to establish an unrivalled understanding of the subject. Complete with many worked examples, figures, and homework problems, this textbook is a definitive resource for advanced students in physics, astronomy and applied mathematics.

Table of Contents

1 Introduction

Part I The Homogeneous Universe

2 The Expanding Universe

3 The Hot Big Bang

4 Cosmological Inflation

Part II The Inhomogeneous Universe

5 Structure Formation

6 Relativistic Perturbation Theory

7 Cosmic Microwave Background

8 Quantum Initial Conditions

9 Outlook

About the Author

Daniel Baumann is a world-leading theoretical cosmologist. He obtained his doctorate from Princeton University in 2008, after which he was a postdoctoral researcher at Harvard University and the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. Since 2011, he has been a faculty member at Cambridge University, until he was appointed Professor of Theoretical Cosmology at the University of Amsterdam in 2015. Baumann has received numerous awards, including an ERC Starting Grant, an NWO VIDI Grant and a Jade Mountain Visiting Professorship at National Taiwan University. His cosmology lecture notes are used worldwide. He is the author of the book Inflation and String Theory (with Liam McAllister).