Cosmology of the Very Early Universe

Understand

In these lectures I focus on early universe models which can explain the currently observed structure on large scales.

• I begin with a survey of inflationary cosmology, the current paradigm for understanding the origin of the universe as we observe it today.
• I will discuss some progress and problems in inflationary cosmology before moving on to a description of two alternative scenarios - the Matter Bounce and String Gas Cosmology.
• All early universe models connect to observations via the evolution of cosmological perturbations - a topic which will be discussed in detail in these lectures.