Physics 221A (Fall 2007): Introduction to Particle Physics I
Course information
Time: MWF 2:00-3:10 PM
Place: ISB 235
Instructor: Prof. Stefano Profumo
Office hours: MW 3:45-5:00 PM (or stop by ISB 325)
Course description
This course is the first quarter of a 2-quarter graduate-level introduction to modern particle physics. The focus is on (1) hadron phenomenology,
(2) weak interactions, (3) the electro-weak theory and (4) a few selected topics beyond the Standard Model.
Syllabus
Click here to download the Syllabus
Course outline
- Symmetries and Quarks
- Weak Interactions
- Introduction to Electroweak Theory, Symmetry Breaking and Higgs Physics
- Topics beyond the Standard Model (Axions, Grand Unification, Neutrino Masses)
The detailed schedule includes the proposed topics for each lecture.
Textbooks
We will primarily be using the following two textbooks:
- Particle Physics: A Comprehensive Introduction by Abraham Seiden
- Quarks & Leptons by Francis Halzen and Alan D. Martin
Other material will be supplied by the Instructor. In particular, we will make use of a few chapters from the following textbooks (all the books
listed here and the two above are on reserve at the McHenry Science & Engineering Library):
- Gauge Theory of elementary particle physics by Ta-Pei Cheng and Ling-Fong Li
- Dynamics of the Standard Model by John F. Donoghue, Eugene Golowich and Barry R. Holstein
- The Early Universe by Edward W. Kolb and Michael S. Turner
Grading policy
Grading will be based on 5 homework exercises (20% each).
Homework exercises
| Set number |
Topics |
Due Date |
| 1 (pdf) |
Symmetries and Quarks |
Monday, October 15 |
| 2 (pdf) |
Weak Interactions |
Monday, October 29 |
| 3 (pdf) |
Weak Decays, Mixing and Neutrino physics |
Monday, November 5 |
| 4 (pdf) |
Electroweak sector |
Monday, November 19 |
| 5 (topics - pdf, schedule - pdf) |
Final: Seminar on Higgs and Beyond the Standard Model |
M-W, December 10-12 |
Last reviewed 12/3/07 by Stefano Profumo.
