Rationale

Cosmology is one of the fastest growing fields of research, with a vast amount of cosmological data available already today, and a veritable avalanche coming in the near future. There is an obvious need for educating current students while reconsidering basic concepts and establishing a roadmap for cosmology. The main objective of the first INPE Advanced Course is to present and discuss the different aspects of current research in cosmology, for both Brazilian and international participants. The lectures will begin by focusing on fundamental issues like special and general relativity, world models, and Friedmannology, establishing the basis for more advanced subjects, like dark energy, CMB anisotropies, lensing, and the thermal history of the universe. The final goal is to yield a complete view of the subject, stimulating the attendee to conduct independent and competitive research in this area. The topics were selected in such a way as to cover a broad spectrum of interests, whether theoretical or observational.