Evolution of galaxy stellar masses and star formation rates in the EAGLE
  simulations
  We investigate the evolution of galaxy masses and star formation rates in the
Evolution and Assembly of Galaxies and their Environment (EAGLE) simulations.
These comprise a suite of hydrodynamical simulations in a $\Lambda$CDM
cosmogony with subgrid models for radiative cooling, star formation, stellar
mass loss, and feedback from stars and accreting black holes. The subgrid
feedback was calibrated to reproduce the observed present-day galaxy stellar
mass function and galaxy sizes. Here we demonstrate that the simulations
reproduce the observed growth of the stellar mass density to within 20 per
cent. The simulation also tracks the observed evolution of the galaxy stellar
mass function out to redshift z = 7, with differences comparable to the
plausible uncertainties in the interpretation of the data. Just as with
observed galaxies, the specific star formation rates of simulated galaxies are
bimodal, with distinct star forming and passive sequences. The specific star
formation rates of star forming galaxies are typically 0.2 to 0.4 dex lower
than observed, but the evolution of the rates track the observations closely.
The unprecedented level of agreement between simulation and data makes EAGLE a
powerful resource to understand the physical processes that govern galaxy
formation.
