Quantum Field Theory

Teaching semester

Spring

Objectives and Content

Objectives:The course is a continuation of PHYS203 and gives an understanding of the Standard Model of particle physics, which describes the elementary particles and their interactions.

Content:The course covers the theories describing the interactions of elementary particles: quantum electrodynamics (QED), quantum chromodynamics (QCD), and electroweak theory. Together, these make up the Standard Model of particle physics. The course gives a basis for calculating and understanding simple cross sections for collisions and particle production. The course also gives a brief introduction to CP violation and neutrino physics.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the course

the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• Is able to explain Feynman rules
• Knows the basics of renormalization
• Understands the quark and gluon fields, the strong nuclear force, and the underlying symmetries
• Understands the symmetries of the electroweak theory, and their breaking via the Brout-Englert-Higgs mechanism
• Can explain CP violation involving K-mesons, and the origin of the CKM matrix
• Can explain neutrino oscillations

Skills

The student

• Masters the calculation of cross sections for simple processes

General competence

The student

• Knows how to model physical systems by using the Lagrange formalism
• Can use simple calculations to estimate the order of magnitude of physical quantities

Required Previous Knowledge

Minimum 60 ECTS in physics and PHYS203

Recommended Previous Knowledge

MAT251

Forms of Assessment

The forms of assessment are:

Oral examination

Grading Scale

The grading scale used is A to F. Grade A is the highest passing grade in the grading scale, grade F is a fail.