Beyond the Standard Model

6 EC

Semester 2, period 5

5354BESM6Y

Owner Master Physics and Astronomy (joint degree)
Coordinator prof. dr. ir. Paul de Jong
Part of Master Physics and Astronomy, track Theoretical Physics, Master Physics and Astronomy, track GRAPPA, Master Physics and Astronomy (joint degree), track General Physics and Astronomy,

Course manual 2024/2025

Course content

Missing elements of the Standard Model, the Planck scale, new fermions and substructure, neutrino masses, Grand Unification, new gauge forces, the hierarchy problem, large extra dimensions, micro black holes, dark matter, supersymmetry, high precision experiments, astroparticle physics experiments, experiments at the high energy frontier: LHC, future colliders.

Study materials

Other

  • Lecture notes, articles.

Objectives

  • To give an overview of what is missing in the Standard Model of particle physics.
  • To give a tour d'horizon of concepts and ideas of physics beyond the Standard Model.
  • To give an impression of how this new physics can be searched for experimentally.
  • At the end of the course the student is able to describe the most common models of physics beyond the Standard Model, to explain their motivation, and to judge new experimental data in the context of new physics.

Teaching methods

  • Lecture
  • Seminar
  • Presentation/symposium
  • Self-study
  • Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis

The lectures will introduce the material, self-study is needed to internalize it. We will ask students to give seminars on chosen topics to stimulate study of these topics and to be able to explain them and put them into context. Students write a final essay to dive deep into one topic.

Learning activities

Activity

Hours

Hoorcollege

44

Self study

124

Total

168

(6 EC x 28 uur)

Attendance

Requirements concerning attendance (OER-B).

  • In addition to, or instead of, classes in the form of lectures, the elements of the master’s examination programme often include a practical component as defined in article A-1.2 of part A. The course catalogue contains information on the types of classes in each part of the programme. Attendance during practical components is mandatory.

    • Assessment

    Item and weight Details

    Final grade

    Assessment is though a written essay and two presentations.

    Assignments

    The students will make 2 presentations in small groups.

    Fraud and plagiarism

    The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

    Course structure

    Weeknummer Onderwerpen Studiestof
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8

    Additional information

    Recommended prior knowledge: Particle Physics I, and preferably also Particle Physics II.

    Contact information

    Coordinator

    • prof. dr. ir. Paul de Jong

    Coordinator: Paul de Jong. Lecturer: Flavia de Almeida Dias