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87963 - Theory of the Standard Model

Academic Year 2026/2027

  • Docente: Ilaria Brivio
  • Credits: 6
  • SSD: PHYS-02/A
  • Language: English
  • Teaching Mode: In-person learning (entirely or partially)
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Physics (cod. 6695)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will have developed a comprehensive knowledge of the theoretical foundations of the Standard Model of fundamental interactions. All topics will be taught with a critical perspective that takes into account phenomenological implications. The student will be able to analyse, present and discuss both theoretical aspects and phenomenological features of model building techniques in relativistic quantum field theory. The student will be able to analyse, present and discuss both theoretical aspects and phenomenological features of model building techniques in relativistic quantum field theory.

Course contents

  1. Abelian and non-Abelian gauge theories. QED and QCD Lagrangians.
  2. Spontaneous breaking of global symmetries and Goldstone theorem
  3. Abelian and non-Abelian Higgs mechanism
  4. Electroweak interactions: bosonic sector. Electroweak symmetry breaking, custodial symmetry.
  5. Partial wave unitarity constraints.
  6. Electroweak interactions fermionic sector. Fermion-gauge interactions, P violation.  Muon decay, Fermi theory.
  7. Fermion masses: Yukawa Lagrangian
  8. Flavor structure of the SM: flavor mixing and the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix. CP violation. Accidental global symmetries.
  9. Anomalies
Students are strongly advised to attend the QUANTUM FIELD THEORY 1 course in advance. All topics covered in that course will be taken for granted.

Assessment methods

Written exam

 

 

Students with DSA or temporary or permanent disabilities: please contact the pertinent University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en). They will suggest possible adjustments that will need to be brought to the teacher's attention for approval. Requests for adjustments need to be submitted with a 15 days notice.

Office hours

See the website of Ilaria Brivio