Catalogue of Courses & Student Handbook - SUPA

Particle Physics
Lattice QCD (SUPALAT)
Lecturer: Christine Davies
Institution: Glasgow
Hours Equivalent Credit: 6
Assessment: Project
Theory Core
Course Description
The course will provide an introduction into the methods of lattice QCD.
In particular, we will discuss gluon actions, algorithms, quarks on the
lattice, algorithms for that, how to do a lattice calculation, systematic
errors and recent results.
Modern Quantum Field Theory (SUPAMQF)
Lecturer: Einan Gardi
Institution: Edinburgh
Hours Equivalent Credit: 22
Assessment: Take-home exam OR project and presentation
Theory Core Joint Master’s and PhD course delivered at the University
of Edinburgh
Course Description
The course introduces path integral methods in Quantum Field Theory.
This modern approach (as opposed to canonical quantisation) allows the
relatively simple quantisation of gauge theories and forms an essential
tool for the understanding and development of the Standard Model of
particle physics. Topics include the path integral formalism, Feynman
rules, the LSZ formalism, loop diagrams and divergencies, regularisation
and renormalisation, gauge theories and the running coupling constant.
Upon successful completion of this course it is intended that a student will
be able to: understand the notion of a path integral in quantum mechanics
and field theory, be familiar with Grassmann numbers and their use for
fermions in path integrals, understand the connection between the path
integral formalism and the operator (scattering) formalism, understand
perturbation theory and appreciate Feynmann rules, and diagrams from
the path integral viewpoint, be familiar with the problem of divergencies
in quantum field theories and the renormalisation method, appreciate
the fundamental result of asymptotic freedom of the running coupling
constant in nonabelian gauge theories leading to a theory of strong
interactions - QCD, to be able to apply what has been learnt in the
course to solving simple problems in quantum field theory.
The Standard Model (SUPASMO)
Lecturer: Peter Boyle
Institution: Edinburgh
Hours Equivalent Credit: 22
Assessment: Take home exam
Common Core Joint Master’s and PhD course delivered at the University
of Edinburgh
Course Description
The methods developed in Relativistic Quantum Field Theory are applied
to construct and analyse the physics of the electroweak Standard Model
and Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) after having derived the Feynman
rules. The necessary group theoretical knowledge will be introduced
during the course and used to introduce the quark model and the concept
of spontaneously broken gauge theories. A central role in the electroweak
theory will be played by the Higgs mechanism and Flavour Physics.
For QCD the concept of a running coupling and the beta function will be
motivated. The phenomenology of the Standard Model will be discussed
for electron-positron colliders, deep inelastic scattering and hadronic
collisions. Special emphasis is put on Higgs physics at present and
future collider experiments.
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