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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2014/2015
- ARCHIVE as at 1 September 2014

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Physics and Astronomy : Undergraduate (School of Physics and Astronomy)

Undergraduate Course: Modern Quantum Field Theory (PHYS11047)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Physics and Astronomy CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Course typeStandard AvailabilityAvailable to all students
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Year 4 Undergraduate) Credits10
Home subject areaUndergraduate (School of Physics and Astronomy) Other subject areaNone
Course website http://www2.ph.ed.ac.uk/~egardi/MQFT/ Taught in Gaelic?No
Course descriptionThe 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: Path integral formalism, Feynman rules, LSZ formalism, loop diagrams and divergencies, regularisation and renormalisation, gauge theories, running coupling constant.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Students MUST have passed: Relativistic Quantum Field Theory (PHYS11021)
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus?No
Course Delivery Information
Delivery period: 2014/15 Semester 2, Available to all students (SV1) Learn enabled:  Yes Quota:  None
Web Timetable Web Timetable
Course Start Date 12/01/2015
Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 100 ( Lecture Hours 22, Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 11, Summative Assessment Hours 2, Revision Session Hours 2, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 61 )
Additional Notes
Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) Written Exam 80 %, Coursework 20 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours & Minutes
Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May)Modern Quantum Field Theory2:00
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course it is intended that a student will be able to:
1) understand the notion of a path integral in quantum mechanics and field theory;
2) be familar with Grassmann numbers and their use for fermions in path integrals;
3) understand the connection between the path integral formalism and the operator (scattering) formalism;
4) understand perturbation theory and appreciate Feynmann rules and diagrams from the path integral viewpoint;
5) be familar with the problem of divergencies in quantum field theories and the renormalisation method;
6) appreciate the beauty of asymptotic freedom of the running coupling constant in non-abelian gauge theories leading to a theory of strong interactions - QCD;
7) to be able to apply what has been learnt in the course to solving simple problems in quantum field theory.
Assessment Information
80% Degree Examination
20% Coursework
Special Arrangements
None
Additional Information
Academic description Not entered
Syllabus - Path Integrals for quantum mechanics and quantum field theory, Green's functions and generating functionals for free scalar fields
- Interacting scalar fields, Feynman rules/diagrams, connected and one-particle-irreducible Green's functions
- Path integrals for fermions, Grassmann variables, Yukawa interactions
- Spectral functions, in/out states, reduction formulae (LSZ formalism), S-matrix
- One loop Feynman diagrams for scalar theories, divergencies, dimensional regularisation, renormalisation, renormalisation group, beta- and gamma- functions, Landau poles, infra red and ultra-violet fixed points
- Path integrals for gauge theories, gauge fixing, Faddeev-Popov factors, Feynman rules, renormalisation, renormalisation group, beta-function and asymptotic freedom (running coupling constant)
Transferable skills Not entered
Reading list Not entered
Study Abroad Not entered
Study Pattern Not entered
KeywordsMQFT
Contacts
Course organiserDr Einan Gardi
Tel: (0131 6)50 6469
Email: Einan.Gardi@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Rosie Edwards
Tel:
Email: Rosie.Edwards@ed.ac.uk
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