Elementary Particle Physics

Elementary Particle Physics (EPP | SPA6306)

Please consult QMPlus for the authoritative information on this module.

Year: 3 | Semester: A | Level: 6 | Credits: 15

Prerequisites: PHY-215 or equivalent introductory course in quantum physics
Lectures: 30 | Lec: 109 209 210 Ex: 114 115 (notation)
Exam: 2.5 hour written paper (80%), coursework (20%)
Practical work: none | Ancillary teaching: exercises

Course organiser: Prof Francesca Di Lodovico | Course deputy: Dr Marcella Bona

Synopsis:
An introduction to the standard model of particle physics - the strong and electroweak interactions between the basic constituents of the world, quarks and leptons, via the exchange of gluons, photons and W and Z particles. Recent results on CP violation and neutrino mixing. The search for the Higgs particle. Beyond the standard model - Grand unified theories and supersymmetry.
Aims:
The main aim of the Elementary Particle Physics course is to teach the fundamentals of the Standard Model of Particle Physics.
Outcomes:
By the end of the course, the successful student is expected to: be able to describe the basic constituents of the Standard Model, the quarks and leptons and the interactions between them and to be able to use Feynman diagrams to classify and illustrate these interactions; demonstrate the conservation rules, quantum numbers and basic quark parton model upon which the Standard Model is built; be able to describe the basics of electroweak interactions, the Higgs mechanism and CP violation; describe the experimental observation of neutrino mixing and explain its implications for neutrino masses; appreciate the limitations of the Standard Model and describe how some of these limitations are overcome in other models.

Recommended books:

Alessandro Bettini
Introduction to Elementary Particle Physics
Cambridge (2008)
ISBN 978-0-521-88021-3

Martin, B.R. & Shaw, G.
Particle Physics
Wiley (1997)
ISBN 0-471-97285-1

Juno Champion

The school holds Juno Champion status, the highest award of this IoP scheme to recognise and reward departments that can demonstrate they have taken action to address the under-representation of women in university physics and to encourage better practice for both women and men.