FYS9170 – Relativistic Quantum Field Theory
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
This course provides an introduction to quantum field theory as one of the cornerstones of modern physics, and how it inevitably emerges from combining quantum mechanics with special relativity. The focus is on how to quantize both bosonic and fermionic fields. Quantum electrodynamics will be covered in detail.
Learning outcome
After completing this course, you:
- can quantize classical fields and will know how to describe both fermionic and bosonic particles in relativistic quantum mechanics.
- have learned how to construct theories that describe interacting quantum fields.
- know how to derive the Feynman rules for e.g. quantum electrodynamics, and how to use those to calculate cross sections and decay rates in lowest order perturbation theory.
- can calculate radiation corrections to simple processes in quantum electrodynamics, and have basic knowledge about regularization and renormalization.
- can study a selected, advanced topic in quantum field theory and present to fellow students.
Admission to the course
PhD candidates from the University of Oslo should apply for classes and register for examinations through?Studentweb.
If a course has limited intake capacity, priority will be given to PhD candidates who follow an individual education plan where this particular course is included. Some national researchers’ schools may have specific rules for ranking applicants for courses with limited intake capacity.
PhD candidates who have been admitted to another higher education institution must?apply for a position as a visiting student?within a given deadline.
Recommended previous knowledge
It is highly recommended that you have previous knowledge from the following courses:
- FYS3110 – Quantum Mechanics
- FYS3120 – Classical Mechanics and Electrodynamics
- FYS3140 – Mathematical Methods in Physics
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with FYS4170 – Relativistic Quantum Field Theory.
Teaching
The course extends over a whole term with the following teaching per week:
- 4 hours of lectures
- 2 hours of group exercises
An essential?part?of the course are the weakly exercises.
A mandatory assignment in the middle of the semester must be approved before you can sit the final exam.
In addition, it is mandatory to?prepare and give a one-hour lecture about an advanced topic in quantum field theory. This mandatory lecture must?be approved before you can sit?the final exam.
Examination
- Final written exam which counts 100 % towards the final grade
This course has mandatory exercises that must be approved before you can sit the final?exam.
It will also be counted as one of the three attempts to sit the exam for this course if you sit the exam for one of the following courses: FYS4170 – Relativistic Quantum Field Theory
Examination support material
No examination support material is allowed.
Language of examination
Subjects taught in English will only offer the exam paper in English. You may write your examination paper in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a?postponed exam?at the beginning of the next semester.
New examinations?are offered at the beginning of the next semester for students who do not successfully complete the exam during the previous semester.
We do not offer a re-scheduled exam for students who withdraw during the exam.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.