FY809: Quantum Field Theory

Study Board of Science

Teaching language: Danish or English depending on the teacher, but English if international students are enrolled
EKA: N510035102
Assessment: Second examiner: Internal
Grading: 7-point grading scale
Offered in: Odense
Offered in: Spring
Level: Master

STADS ID (UVA): N510035101
ECTS value: 10

Date of Approval: 13-10-2021


Duration: 1 semester

Version: Archive

Comment

If there are fewer than 12 students enrolled, the course may be held with another teaching form.

Entry requirements

A Bachelor’s degree in physics or mathematics. 

Academic preconditions

Students taking the course are expected to:
  • Have knowledge of the courses of a Bachelor's degree programme in physics or mathematics, in particular classical mechanics, electrodynamics, special relativity and quantum physics (corresponding to the course FY803: Quantum physics).

Course introduction

The aim of the course is to enable the student to understand the basic principles of quantum field theory and of the Standard Model of particles physics which is important in regard to the latest developments in high energy physics and the interplay of physics and advanced mathematics.

The course builds on the knowledge acquired in the courses of a Bachelor's degree programme in physics or mathematics and FY803 (Quantum physics), and gives an academic basis for studying topics in high energy physics and the interplay of physics and advanced mathematics, which are part of the degree.

In relation to the competence profile of the degree it is the explicit focus of the course to:
  • Give the skills to use advanced techniques in quantum field theory.
  • Give competence to critically interpret the results of the experiments at the European Center for Nuclear Research (CERN) Geneva.
  • Give knowledge and understanding of elements of quantum field theory, in particular quantum electrodynamics, quantum chromodynamics and weak interactions, which constitute the interactions of the Standard Model of particle physics.

Expected learning outcome

The learning objective of the course is that the student demonstrates the ability to:

Knowledge

  • Know advanced techniques in quantum field theory.

Skills

  • Use advanced techniques, in quantum field theory, in particular, to:
    1. Derive the Feynman rules for bosons and fermions.
    2. Compute tree-level and radiative corrections for, e.g. e+ e- in μ+ μ-.
    3. Compute the renormalization of the electromagnetic, weak and strong charge.

Competences

  • Analyze theories beyond the Standard Model of particle physics.
  • Critically interpret the results of the experiments at the European Center for Nuclear Research (CERN) Geneva.

Content

The following main topics are contained in the course:
  • The Klein Gordon and Dirac Fields.
  • Feynman Diagrams. 
  • The Gauge Principle. 
  • Quantum Electrodynamics and associated elementary processes. 
  • Path integral and renormalization.

Literature

  • M.E. Peskin and D.V. Schroeder: An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory, Addison-Wesley Advanced Book Program (now Perseus Book). 
  • F. Mandl and G. Shaw: Quantum Field Theory, Wiley. 
  • Michele Maggiore: A Modern Introduction to Quantum Field Theory, Oxford Univ. Press, USA. 
  • Mark Srednicki: Quantum Field Theory, Cambridge Univ. Press. 
  • Schwartz, Quantum Field Theory and the Standard Model, Cambridge Univ. Press.

See itslearning for syllabus lists and additional literature references.

Examination regulations

Exam element a)

Timing

June

Tests

Oral exam

EKA

N510035102

Assessment

Second examiner: Internal

Grading

7-point grading scale

Identification

Student Identification Card

Language

Normally, the same as teaching language

Duration

20 minutes

Examination aids

To be announced during the course

ECTS value

10

Indicative number of lessons

84 hours per semester

Teaching Method

At the faculty of science, teaching is organized after the three-phase model, ie. intro, training and study phase. These teaching activities are reflected in an estimated allocation of the workload of an average student as follows:

  • Intro phase (lectures, class lessons) - 56 hours
  • Training phase: 28 hours, including 28 hours tutorials

Main principles and techniques are presented in the lectures. In spring 2022, the lectures will be mostly online with the possibility to have them taped so that they can be watched later as well.

Problem sheets and final projects train the understanding of the principles and the application of the techniques. This will be discussed in the tutorials.

If there are less than 12 students enrolled, the course will be taught as study group with unchanged pensum and 46 scheduled hours. 

Study phase activities:

  • Read the relevant parts in the course book, solve problem sheets, and work on final projects
  • Course
    book: M.E. Peskin and D.V. Schroeder: An Introduction to Quantum Field
    Theory, Addison-Wesley Advanced Book Program (now Perseus Book).
  • Additional
    Literature: F. Mandl and G. Shaw, Quantum Field Theory, Wiley. Michele
    Maggiore, A Modern Introduction to Quantum Field Theory, Oxford Univ.
    Press, USA
. Mark Srednicki, Quantum Field Theory, Cambridge Univ.
    Press. Schwartz, Quantum Field Theory and the Standard Model, Cambridge
    Univ. Press.

Teacher responsible

Name E-mail Department
Francesco Sannino sannino@cp3.sdu.dk CP³-Origins

Timetable

Administrative Unit

Fysik, kemi og Farmaci

Team at Educational Law & Registration

NAT

Offered in

Odense

Recommended course of study

Profile Education Semester Offer period

Transition rules

Transitional arrangements describe how a course replaces another course when changes are made to the course of study. 
If a transitional arrangement has been made for a course, it will be stated in the list. 
See transitional arrangements for all courses at the Faculty of Science.