Syllabus for Elementary Particle Physics

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• classify elementary particles and their reactions in terms of quantum numbers and draw simple reaction diagrams (Feynman diagrams)
• describe the basic ingredients of the Standard Model of particle physics
• explain how experimental results are interpreted in terms of fundamental properties of quarks, leptons and force mediators
• master relativistic kinematics for computations of the outcome of various reactions and decay processes
• use the concept "invariant mass" to compute particle production
• describe the technological requirements of particle physics and discuss technology transfer to society
• independently identify key aspects of a topic relevant to particle physics and present them to his/her peers, and comment and give constructive criticism on other presentations (opposition)

Content

The course provides an overview of modern particle physics stressing fundamental concepts and processes:

An introduction to the Standard Model of particle physics. . Antiparticles. Symmetries and conservation laws and their significance in particle physics. Hadron-hadron interactions. The quark model including spectroscopy. Quantum Chromo-Dynamics (QCD). Electromagnetic interactions - form factors. The parton model and deep inelastic scattering - structure functions. Weak interactions including beta decay and Cabbibo- Kobayashi-Maskawa mixing. The unified electroweak interaction, W, Z and the Higgs boson. Beyond the Standard Model: the unification of strong and electroweak interaction, supersymmetry, neutrino oscillations and more.

Techniques for particle acceleration and particle detection will be presented. Discussion about innovation, collaboration with industry, technology transfer and aspects of work within large international teams.

Instruction

Lectures, lessons, seminar, student presentations of mini-projects about a particle physics topic.

Assessment

Oral student project presentation including constructive feedback to other presentations ("opposition") (1 credit). Written examination at the end of the course and seminar participation (4 credits), and non-compulsory hand-in problems. Passed hand-in problems will give the student a bonus which is valid at the final examination at the end of the course and at the first two scheduled re-examinations.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.