  The ultraviolet luminosity evolution of star-forming galaxies is explored
from the theoretical point of view, especially focusing on the theory of UV
energetics in simple and composite stellar populations and its relationship to
the star formation rate and other main evolutionary parameters.
  Galaxy emission below 3000 Angstroms directly correlates with actual star
formation, not depending on the total mass of the system. A straightforward
calibration is obtained, in this sense, from the theoretical models at 1600,
2000 and 2800 Angstroms, and a full comparison is carried out with IUE data and
other balloon-borne observations for local galaxies.
  The claimed role of late-type systems as prevailing contributors to the
cosmic UV background is reinforced by our results; at 2000 Angstroms Im
irregulars are found in fact nearly four orders of magnitude brighter than
ellipticals, per unit luminous mass.
  The role of dust absorption in the observation of high-redshift galaxies is
assessed, comparing model output and observed spectral energy distribution of
local galaxy samples. Similar to what we observe in our own galaxy, a quick
evolution in the dust environment might be envisaged in primeval galaxies, with
an increasing fraction of luminous matter that would escape the regions of
harder and "clumpy" dust absorption on a timescale of some 10^7 yr, comparable
with the lifetime of stars of 5-10 solar masses.
