FYS9190 – Supersymmetry
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
The course gives a basic introduction to the algebraic origin of supersymmetry as an extension of Special Relativity, and the construction and phenomenology of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM). The aim is that students should be able to interpret experimental results in the search for supersymmetry, be able to perform basic theoretical predictions for the MSSM in general, and to achieve expert level knowledge on a particular research topic within supersymmetry.
Learning outcome
After taking this course you should:
- Have a basic understanding of group theory, representations of groups, the Lie groups central to modern theoretical physics and their Lie algebras.
- Understand the role of the Poincaré algebra in Special Relativity, and the construction of its supersymmetric extensions and their irreducible representations.
- Be able to use superspace and superfields to construct supersymmetric models in N=1 supersymmetry.
- Understand the fundamental arguments in favor of supersymmetry at low energies, and the problems that the theory faces, including the issue of supersymmetry breaking, the hierarchy problem, renormalisation group equations and their relation to Grand Unified Theories (GUT), vacuum energy, R-parity and radiative electroweak symmetry breaking.
- Understand the construction and phenomenological properties of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM).
- Be able to understand research papers dealing with the phenomenology of supersymmetric particles and supersymmetric model building, and be able to interpret current and future experimental results from searches for supersymmetry at colliders, in precision tests and in searches for Dark Matter.
- Be able to carry out leading order calculations in perturbation theory of supersymmetric particle production, annihilation and decay in the MSSM.
- Develop research level expertise in one particular freely chosen topic within the course, and to be able communicate this in the form of a short report.
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
For a good foundation in the basics of particle physics, having followed FYS4555 – Particle Physics would be an advantage. Students are also recommended to have either previously taken FYS4170 – Relativistic Quantum Field Theory, or to follow it in the same semester as this course.
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with FYS5190 – Supersymmetry.
Teaching
The course will be taught over a whole semester with 4 hours of lectures per week.
Examination
- Project assignment
- Final oral exam
To pass the course, both the project assignment and the final oral exam must be passed.
When writing your exercises?make sure to familiarize yourself with the?rules for use of sources and citations.?Breach of these rules may lead to suspicion of?attempted cheating.
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: FYS5190 – Supersymmetry
Examination support material
No exam support material is allowed on the final oral exam. For the project assignment students are allowed to use any and all support material, written, online or otherwise, and any technological aid they want.
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.