MPhys Physics with Study in Europe

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Frontiers of Particle Physics II

Course unit fact file
Unit code PHYS40722
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 4
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Offered by Department of Physics & Astronomy
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

Frontiers of Particle Physics 2

Pre/co-requisites

Unit title Unit code Requirement type Description
Frontiers of Particle Physics I PHYS40521 Pre-Requisite Compulsory

Aims

1. To provide a thorough and in depth knowledge of modern experimental particle physics including recent results.
2. To provide an essential basis for students who will undertake research in this subject.

Learning outcomes

On completion successful students will be able to:

1. judge the significance of specific experimental observations in the broader context of fundamental particle physics questions
2. identify the key unanswered questions in quark flavour, neutrino and dark matter physics, and propose how physicists can answer these questions experimentally
3. explain the main theoretical concepts underpinning quark flavour, neutrino and dark matter physics, and apply them to calculations
4. describe the experimental techniques used in the field, in particular the particle detection mechanisms and the methods of suppressing background
5. analyse data (e.g. in the form of oscillation or CP violation measurements) to derive key results in particle physics

Syllabus

1.   Quark flavour physics
CKM matrix
CP violation
LHCb experiment and recent results

 

2.   Neutrino physics and other rare processes
Neutrino masses and oscillations
PMNS matrix
Majorana and Dirac neutrinos
Charged lepton flavour violation
Dark matter

 

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Written exam 100%

Feedback methods

Feedback will be available on students’ individual written solutions to examples sheets and model answers will be issued.

Recommended reading

Martin, B. & Shaw, G. Particle Physics, (Wiley)
Perkins, D.H. Introduction to High Energy Physics (CVP)

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Assessment written exam 1.5
Lectures 24
Independent study hours
Independent study 74.5

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Roxanne Guenette Unit coordinator
Marco Gersabeck Unit coordinator

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