Qualitative analysis and characterization of two cosmologies including scalar fields

Abstract: The problem of dark energy can be roughly stated as the proposition and validation of a cosmological model that can explain the phenomenon of the accelerated expansion of the Universe. This problem is an open discussion topic in modern physics. One of the most common approaches is that of the "Dark Energy" (DE), a matter component still unknown, with repulsive character (to explain the accelerated expansion), which fills about 2/3 of the total content of the Universe. In this thesis are investigated two cosmological models, a non-minimally coupled quintessence field, based on a Scalar-Tensor Theory of gravity, formulated in the Einstein's frame, and a quintom dark energy model, based on General Relativity. A normalization and parametrization procedure is introduced for each model, in order to investigate the flow properties of an associated autonomous system of ordinary differential equations. In our study are combined topological, analytical and numerical techniques. We are mainly interested in the past dynamics. However, some results concerning the intermediate and future dynamics are discussed. The mathematical results obtained have an immediate interpretation in the cosmological context.