Galacticus
The Galacticus project, led by Andrew Benson, aims to build a comprehensive model of galaxy formation. Galacticus is designed to solve the physics involved in the formation of galaxies within the current standard cosmological framework. It is of a type of model known as "semi-analytic" in which the numerous complex non-linear physics involved are solved using a combination of analytic approximations and empirical calibrations from more detailed, numerical solutions. Historically, such models were first contemplated by White & Rees (1978; MNRAS; 183; 341) and have since been developed further, notably by White & Frenk (1991; ApJ; 379; 52), Kauffmann et al. (1993; MNRAS; 264; 201), Cole et al. (2000; MNRAS; 319; 168), Somerville et al. (2008; MNRAS; 391; 481). Models of this type aim to begin with the initial state of the Universe (specified shortly after the Big Bang) and apply physical principles to determine the properties of galaxies in the Universe at later times, including the present day. Typical properties computed include the mass of stars and gas in each galaxy, broad structural properties (e.g. radii, rotation speeds, geometrical shape etc.), dark matter and black hole contents, and observable quantities such as luminosities, chemical composition etc.