Semi-analytic galaxy formation: understanding the high redshift universe

Abstract

There is now compelling evidence in favour of the hierarchical structure formation paradigm. Semi-analytic modelling is a powerful tool which allows the formation and evolution of galaxies to be followed in a hierarchical framework. We review some of the latest developments in this area before discussing how such models can help us to interpret observations of the high redshift Universe.

10 pages. Invited review to appear in the proceedings of the workshop on "QSO hosts and their environments", IAA, Granada, 10-12 Jan 2001