Ullrich, Paul Aaron2007-08-072007-08-072007-08-072007http://hdl.handle.net/10012/3152In this thesis we first apply the 1+3 covariant description of general relativity to analyze n-fluid Friedmann-Lemaitre (FL) cosmologies; that is, homogeneous and isotropic cosmologies whose matter-energy content consists of n non-interacting fluids. We are motivated to study FL models of this type as observations suggest the physical universe is closely described by a FL model with a matter content consisting of radiation, dust and a cosmological constant. Secondly, we use the 1+3 covariant description to analyse scalar, vector and tensor perturbations of FL cosmologies containing a perfect fluid and a cosmological constant. In particular, we provide a thorough discussion of the behaviour of perturbations in the physically interesting cases of a dust or radiation background.906850 bytesapplication/pdfencosmologygeneral relativityMaster ThesisApplied Mathematics