Dissertation topics suggested by the teacher.
Available thesis projects for the First Cycle Degrees in Astronomy or Physics
1) Comparing alternative estimators of the two-point and three-point correlation functions
Goal: implement and validate alternative statistical estimators of second-order and third-order clustering statistics
Prospects:
- learn how to use standard codes for cosmological analyses
- contribute to the CosmoBolognaLib implementation
- acquire numerical knowledges, in particular in C++ and Python, useful for both scientific and many other non-scientific activities
Requirements:
- scientific skills: low
- computing skills: medium (C++/Python)
2) A graphic web interface for the CosmoBolognaLib
Goal: expand the web interface of the CosmoBolognaLib to include further cosmological probe statistics
Prospects:
- learn how to implement graphic web interfaces
- build new cosmological tools for general usage
- familiarize with Python, one of the most popular programming languages
Requirements:
- scientific skills: low
- computing skills: medium (Python)
3) Emulating cosmological observable
Goal: train deep neaural networks to emulate cosmological probe observables
Prospects:
- become expert in deep learning techniques
- acquire high-level cosmological knowledges, useful for the Master Thesis
- contribute to the optimization of the CosmoBolognaLib
- acquire high-level skills in C++ and Python, useful for both scientific and many other non-scientific activities
Requirements:
- scientific skills: medium
- computing skills: medium (C++/Python)
Available thesis projects for the Second Cycle Degree in Astrophysics and Cosmology
1) Validating the Euclid clustering codes on the Flagship Simulation
Goal: test the new Euclid clustering pipeline on galaxy and cluster mock Euclid catalogues
Prospects:
- contribute to the preparation of the ESA Euclid mission
- become a C++ expert
- learn how to exploit the latest numerical tools to do cosmology with next generation galaxy surveys
- contribute to write internal Euclid reports
Requirements:
- scientific skills: medium
- computing skills: medium/high (C++)
2) Cosmological constraints from cluster number counts and clustering in Euclid
Goal: participate to the Euclid Cluster Cosmology Challenge, aimed at implementing the Euclid likelihood modules to model cluster statistics
Prospects:
- contribute to the preparation of the ESA Euclid mission
- become a C++/Python expert
- learn how to exploit the latest numerical tools to do cosmology with next generation cluster surveys
- contribute to implement new Euclid modules for cosmological analyses
- contribute to write internal Euclid reports
Requirements:
- scientific skills: medium
- computing skills: high (C++/Python)
3) Halo Occupation Distribution model to extract cosmological constraints from small-scale clustering
Goal: implement the Halo Occupation Distribution model in the CosmoBolognaLib, and exploit it on real data
Prospects:
- become one of the CosmoBolognaLib main builders
- become a C++/Python expert
- derive new cosmological constraints from galaxy clustering at small scales (possible applications to VIPERS and BOSS surveys)
- contribute to write one or more scientific publications
Requirements:
- scientific skills: medium
- computing skills: high (C++/Python)
4) Combining high and low redshift cosmological probes
Goal: collect a large dataset of cosmological data from different probes, and implement the numerical tools to combine them
Prospects:
- acquire high-level cosmological knowledges on different probes
- acquire high-level statistical skills
- become a C++/Python expert
- familiarize with the latest data analysis techniques, useful for both scientific and many other non-scientific activities
- contribute to write one or more scientific publications
Requirements:
- scientific skills: high
- computing skills: medium/high (C++/Python)
5) Bayesian deep neural networks to learn the properties of the Cosmic Web
Goal: exploit the latest machine learning techniques to do cosmology bypassing standard statistics
Prospects:
- become an expert on deep learning techniques
- develop new methods, never tested before, for cosmological analyses
- become one of the first builders of the CosmoBolognaNet
- start a long-term project, to be hopefully continued during the Ph.D.
Requirements:
- scientific skills: high
- computing skills: high (Python)
Recent dissertations supervised by the teacher.
First cycle degree programmes dissertations
- Analisi cosmologica della funzione di massa degli ammassi di galassie
- Sviluppo ed ottimizzazione delle librerie C++ e Python CosmoBolognaLib
Second cycle degree programmes dissertations
- A revisited Correction to the Halo Mass Function for local-type Primordial non-Gaussianity
- Inspecting signatures of parity violation with angular redshift fluctuations
- Testing a specific implementation of the Alcock-Paczyński test on the Magneticum simulations
- Validation of galaxy clustering and weak lensing analysis pipelines for spectroscopic and photometric surveys
PhD programmes thesis
- Galaxy cluster cosmology in KiDS, Planck, and Euclid surveys