PHYS408 PARTICLE PHYSICS II

Course Code:2300408
METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week):3 (3.00 - 0.00)
ECTS Credit:5.0
Department:Physics
Language of Instruction:English
Level of Study:Undergraduate
Course Coordinator:Prof.Dr. MEHMET TEVFİK ZEYREK
Offered Semester:Spring Semesters.

Course Objectives

At the end of this course, the student will learn:

  • the Feynman Calculus needed to calculate main probes of particle physics
  • details of cross section and decay width calculations
  • the basics of relativistic quantum mechanics; Dirac equation and its solutions
  • the basics of Quantum Electrodynamics and how to calculate various processes
  • the basics of Weak interactions, its mediators, Feynman rules and many weak processes
  • the unification of Quantum Electrodynamics and Weak Interaction
  • the Higgs mechanism, spontaneous symmetry breaking and gauge structure of the theories

Course Content

Quantum electrodynamics; the Feynman rules for QED; Parton model; Bjorken scaling; quantum chromodynamics and color forces; weak interactions of leptons and quarks; electroweak unification; introduction to gauge theories.


Course Learning Outcomes

Student, who passed the course satisfactorily will be able to:

  • follow a seminar in particle physics
  • develop a background for further insights in the field
  • understand all the necessary machinery to compute a cross section and decay width

Program Outcomes Matrix

Level of Contribution
#Program Outcomes0123
1Can understand, model and analyze the fundamental physical processes of nature.
2Can suggest mathematical models to problems they face and solve them by various (approximate/analytical/numerical) approaches.
3Can use basic measurement devices; can choose and apply the best measurement technique.
4Can adequately record their observations, e.g., in a lab book.
5Can design and carry out experiments.
6Can access scientific information sources.
7Can critically analyze and contribute to scientific information.
8Can present scientific information clearly.
9Can analyze systems that contain probabilistic parts; can do error analysis.
10Has the basic programming skills; can solve a simple physical problem or can simulate one with an appropriate language they choose.
11Can actively and skillfully conceptualize, apply, analyze, synthesize and evaluate information.
12Can produce new ideas and products by using their background in physics.
13Can systematically design, evaluate, and implement a strategy to respond to an existing problem.
14Is effective in oral and written communication skills by using both Turkish and English languages.
15Can do leadership and take initiative.
16Tries to find physics based solutions to the problems of the world that we live in.
17Obeys the ethical rules in the workplace and the society and ascertains that they are obeyed by others.
18Can use the digital communication and computation tools in the most efficient and effective way.
19Can effectively use the knowledge and skills they gained in physics, in observing, analyzing, modeling and solving other societal problems.

0: No Contribution 1: Little Contribution 2: Partial Contribution 3: Full Contribution