PHYS6011 Particle Physics

Module Overview

The course will take an in depth look at our experimental and theoretical understanding of the interactions of fundamental particles. Relativistic wave equations with their predictions of anti-particles and fermion spin will be explored. The fundamental role of gauge symmetries in current theories of force will lead to the study of the standard model of particle physics including the symmetry breaking higgs mechanism. The importance of the most recent collider experiments such as LEP, the Tevatron and the upcoming LHC will be addressed through 6 guest lectures by Dr Fergus Wilson from RAL. Finally theories of particle physics beyond the standard model will be briefly investigated concentrating on their motivations and testable consequences.