Physics 221A (Fall 2008): Introduction to Particle Physics I
Course information
Lecture Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2:00-3:45 PM
Lecture Place: ISB, Room 126
Instructor: Prof. Stefano Profumo
Office hours: Tuesdays 4:00-5:00 PM (or by appointment)
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 in beyond the Standard Model and astro-particle physics.
Syllabus
Click here to download the Syllabus
Course outline
- Symmetries and Quarks
- Weak Interactions
- Introduction to the Electroweak Theory, Symmetry Breaking and Higgs Physics
- Topics beyond the Standard Model (Grand Unification, Neutrino Masses)
- Topics in astro-particle physics (a cosmology primer, thermal relics, cosmic rays)
The detailed schedule includes the proposed topics for each lecture.
Textbooks
Reference Textbooks:
- Particle Physics: A Comprehensive Introduction by Abraham Seiden (on reserve)
- Quarks & Leptons by Francis Halzen and Alan D. Martin (on reserve)
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 are available at the McHenry Science & Engineering Library):
- Introduction to High Energy Physics by Donald H. Perkins
- Introduction to Elementary Particle Physics by Alessandro Bettini
- The Higgs Hunter's Guide by John F. Gunion, Howard H. Haber, Gordon Kane and Sally Dwason
- Particle Astrophysics by Donald H. Perkins
- Cosmology and Particle Astrophysics by Lars Bergstrom and Ariel Goobar
- Very High Energy Cosmic Gamma Radiation by Felix A. Aharonian
- The Early Universe by Edward W. Kolb and Michael S. Turner
Grading policy
Grading will be based on 5 homework exercises (20% each). The first 4 homeworks will be problem sets, while the last one will be a 25 minutes seminar on one of a few topics suggested by the Instructor. The homeworks will be posted during the quarter.
Homework exercises
| Set number |
Topics |
Due Date |
Solutions |
| 1 (pdf) |
- Symmetries and Quarks - |
- Tuesday, October 14 - |
- HW1 Solutions |
| 1 (pdf) |
- Weak Interactions - |
- Tuesday, November 4 - |
- HW2
Solutions |
| 1 (pdf) |
- Weak Decays, Mixing and Neutrino physics - |
- Thursday, November 13 - |
- HW3
Solutions |
| 1 (pdf) |
- Electroweak sector - |
- Tuesday, November 25 - |
- |
| 1 (pdf) |
- Final Exam (Seminar) - |
- Thursday Dec 4 and Wednesday, December 10 - |
- |
Schedule for Finals (to be held in ISB 310)
| Speaker |
Topic |
Day |
Time |
| Furniss |
1. |
Thu, Dec 4 |
4.30PM |
| Cambier |
2. |
Thu, Dec 4 |
5.00PM |
| Damiani |
5. |
Thu, Dec 4 |
5.30PM |
| Lindgren |
9. |
Thu, Dec 4 |
6.00PM |
| Manning |
3. |
Wed, Dec 10 |
2.00PM |
| Wendav |
6. |
Wed, Dec 10 |
2.30PM |
| Pack |
4. |
Wed, Dec 10 |
3.00PM |
| Kozaczuk |
13. |
Wed, Dec 10 |
3.30PM |
Last reviewed 11/18/2008 by Stefano Profumo.
