FYS9560 – Elementary particle physics
Course description
Course content
The standard model for electroweak and strong interactions. Feynman rules. Quantitative comparing of theory and experiments for scattering and disintegration processes. Neutrino physics. CKM mass mixing matrix. Higgs mechanism, supersymmetry and unified theories. Experiments from accelerators and astroparticle physics.
Learning outcome
The students are given an introduction to elementary particle physics that allows them to prepare for a master or PhD degree in this field. Tools are used to calculate and simulate various high energy processes.
After the course, students are expected to know about:
- Feynman rules
- Neutrino physics
- Higgs mechanism
- CKM mass mixing matrix
- Experiments from accelerators and astroparticle physics
- The Standard Model (SM) for Electroweak (EW) and Strong interactions (QCD)
- Beyond the SM theories, such as supersymmetry (SUSY) and Grand unified theories (GUT)
- Quantitative comparison of theory and experiments for scattering and disintegration processes
After the course, students are expected to:
- Compare analytical calculations to predictions of simulation programmes such as CompHEPRead publications in the field of particle physics.
- Calculate, using Feynman techniques, cross sections for various processes, as well as decay widths or lifetimes of particle resonances.
- Interpret experimental results within or beyond the Standard Model.
- Write project reports and prepare and hold short presentations.
Admission
PhD candidates from the University of Oslo should apply for classes and register for examinations through Studentweb.
If a course has limited intake capacity, priority will be given to PhD candidates who follow an individual education plan where this particular course is included. Some national researchers’ schools may have specific rules for ranking applicants for courses with limited intake capacity.
PhD candidates who have been admitted to another higher education institution must apply for a position as a visiting student within a given deadline.
Prerequisites
Recommended previous knowledge
FYS3110 – Quantum Mechanics, FYS3510 – Subatomic physics with applications in astrophysics (discontinued) and FYS4170 – Relativistic Quantum Field Theory.
Overlapping courses
- 4 credits overlap with FYS9555 – Research-Based Particle Physics
- 4 credits overlap with FYS5555 – Research-Based Particle Physics
- 10 credits overlap with 4560
Information about overlapping courses may not be complete. Contact the Department of Physics if you require more information, studieinfo@fys.uio.no.
Teaching
The course extends over a full semester with 4 hours of teaching per week (lectures and colloquia). This course is also given to students at master level. For PhD students, extra questions will be added for each of the obligatory projects, as well as the final project exam. These will require some additional material (extra calculations, reading of scientific publications within the field, interpretation of recent experimental results within current theories).
Examination
2-4 compulsory exercises (approx. 30% weight). 1 project work (approx. 30% weight). Final oral exam (approx. 40% weight).
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
This course offers both postponed and resit of examination. Read more:
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
Evaluation
The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.