Understanding the way in which large-scale structures such as galaxies
form remains the most challenging problem in cosmology today. This text
provides an up-to-date and pedagogical introduction to this exciting
area of research. Part 1 deals with the Friedmann model, the thermal
history of the universe, and includes a description of observed
structures in the universe. Part 2 describes the theory of gravitational
instability in both the linear and nonlinear regimes. This part also
includes chapters on the microwave background radiation, Large-scale
velocity fields, quasars, and high redshift objects. Part 3 of the book
covers inflation, cosmic strings, and dark matter. Each chapter is
accompanied by a comprehensive set of exercises to help the reader in
self-study.