Course manual 2025/2026

Course content

This is a first course on Quantum Field Theory. You should think of it as the first half of a "full" course, QFT 2 being the second half. It is a course on the basic formalism behind QFT with a particular emphasis on tree level processes in particle physics.

Study materials

Literature

Srednicki, Quantum Field Theory
Peskin and Schroeder, An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory
Schwartz, Quantum Field Theory and the Standard Model
Weinberg, The Quantum Theory of Fields (vol I)

Objectives

To understand and to be able to apply the basic concepts of quantum field theory.
To understand the basic tools to quantize Gaussian systems in path integral and canonical formalisms.
To understand what the simple observables in quantum mechanics are.
To understand the various formulations of Classical Field Theory.
To be able to apply the Noether Theorem to derive the conserved quantities associated with symmetries of the Lagrangian.

Teaching methods

Lecture
Self-study
Computer lab session/practical training

Learning activities

Activity	Hours
Hoorcollege	14
Tentamen	3
Werkcollege	14
Self study	53
Total	84	(3 EC x 28 uur)

Attendance

Some course components require compulsory attendance. If compulsory attendance applies, this will be indicated in the Course Catalogue which can be consulted via the UvA-website. The rationale for and implementation of this compulsory attendance may vary per course and, if applicable, is included in the Course Manual.

Assessment

Item and weight	Details
Final grade
0.8 (80%) Tentamen
0.2 (20%) Problems

Assignments

Two hand-in assignments

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

Owner	Master Physics and Astronomy (joint degree)
Coordinator	Diego Hofman
Part of	Master Physics and Astronomy, track Advanced Matter and Energy Physics, Master Physics and Astronomy, track Theoretical Physics, Master Physics and Astronomy, track GRAPPA, Master Mathematics, specialization Algebra and Geometry, year 1 Master Mathematics, specialization Analysis and Dynamical Systems, year 1 Master Mathematics, specialization Mathematical Physics, year 1 Master Mathematics, specialization Stochastics , year 1 Master Physics and Astronomy (joint degree), track General Physics and Astronomy, Master Mathematics, specialisation Discrete Mathematics and Quantum Information, year 1 Double master Mathematics and Physics,

Quantum Field Theory 1