A multivariate approach to decode star formation histories from galaxy spectra.

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One of the key aspects of extragalactic astrophysics involves the determination of the past star formation history of galaxies. Thisallows us to backtrack the formation process, to understand how galaxies form in relation to intrinsic properties -- such as mass orsize -- or to the environment where they live. This PhD project focuses on improving over traditional techniques aimed at extractingabsorption line indicators from galaxy spectra, which are dependent on the age and metallicity distribution of the underlying, unresolvedstellar populations. The methodology involves new multi-variate techniques that optimally extract information from a large volume ofdata (typically from thousands of galaxy spectra). This timely extension beyond standard measurements of stellar populations willemphasize on the NUV spectral range, which -- in combination with optical information -- will enable us to disentangle the contributionsfrom different stages of the star formation history. The NUV is especially important as very distant, high redshift galaxies, can onlybe observed in detail in their spectral NUV rest frame.