Cosmology has been transformed by dramatic progress in high-precision observations and theoretical modelling. This book surveys key developments and open issues for graduate students and researchers. Using a relativistic geometric approach, it focuses on the general concepts and relations that underpin the standard model of the Universe. Part I covers foundations of relativistic cosmology whilst Part II develops the dynamical and observational relations for all models of the Universe based on general relativity. Part III focuses on the standard model of cosmology, including inflation, dark matter, dark energy, perturbation theory, the cosmic microwave background, structure formation and gravitational lensing. It also examines modified gravity and inhomogeneity as possible alternatives to dark energy. Anisotropic and inhomogeneous models are described in Part IV, and Part V reviews deeper issues, such as quantum cosmology, the start of the universe and the multiverse proposal. Colour versions of some figures are available at www.cambridge.org/9780521381154.

Integration of differential equations is a central problem in mathematics and several approaches have been developed by studying analytic, algebraic, and algorithmic aspects of the subject. One of these is Differential Galois Theory, developed by Kolchin and his school, and another originates from the Soliton Theory and Inverse Spectral Transform method, which was born in the works of Kruskal, Zabusky, Gardner, Green and Miura. Many other approaches have also been developed, but there has so far been no intersection between them. This unique introduction to the subject finally brings them together, with the aim of initiating interaction and collaboration between these various mathematical communities. The collection includes a LMS Invited Lecture Course by Michael F. Singer, together with some shorter lecture courses and review articles, all based upon a mini-programme held at the International Centre for Mathematical Sciences (ICMS) in Edinburgh.

Cosmology has been transformed by dramatic progress in high-precision observations and theoretical modelling. This book surveys key developments and open issues for graduate students and researchers. Using a relativistic geometric approach, it focuses on the general concepts and relations that underpin the standard model of the Universe. Part I covers foundations of relativistic cosmology whilst Part II develops the dynamical and observational relations for all models of the Universe based on general relativity. Part III focuses on the standard model of cosmology, including inflation, dark matter, dark energy, perturbation theory, the cosmic microwave background, structure formation and gravitational lensing. It also examines modified gravity and inhomogeneity as possible alternatives to dark energy. Anisotropic and inhomogeneous models are described in Part IV, and Part V reviews deeper issues, such as quantum cosmology, the start of the universe and the multiverse proposal. Colour versions of some figures are available at www.cambridge.org/9780521381154.

Integration of differential equations is a central problem in mathematics and several approaches have been developed by studying analytic, algebraic, and algorithmic aspects of the subject. One of these is Differential Galois Theory, developed by Kolchin and his school, and another originates from the Soliton Theory and Inverse Spectral Transform method, which was born in the works of Kruskal, Zabusky, Gardner, Green and Miura. Many other approaches have also been developed, but there has so far been no intersection between them. This unique introduction to the subject finally brings them together, with the aim of initiating interaction and collaboration between these various mathematical communities. The collection includes a LMS Invited Lecture Course by Michael F. Singer, together with some shorter lecture courses and review articles, all based upon a mini-programme held at the International Centre for Mathematical Sciences (ICMS) in Edinburgh.