Constraining the last 7 billion years of galaxy evolution in
  semi-analytic models
  We investigate the ability of the Croton et al. (2006) semi-analytic model to
reproduce the evolution of observed galaxies across the final 7 billion years
of cosmic history. Using Monte-Carlo Markov Chain techniques we explore the
available parameter space to produce a model which attempts to achieve a
statistically accurate fit to the observed stellar mass function at z=0 and
z~0.8, as well as the local black hole-bulge relation. We find that in order to
be successful we are required to push supernova feedback efficiencies to
extreme limits which are, in some cases, unjustified by current observations.
This leads us to the conclusion that the current model may be incomplete. Using
the posterior probability distributions provided by our fitting, as well as the
qualitative details of our produced stellar mass functions, we suggest that any
future model improvements must act to preferentially bolster star formation
efficiency in the most massive halos at high redshift.
