Elementary Particles I, Prof. Dr. Tobias Neumann¶

Through exploring both theoretical and experimental aspects, this course provides a comprehensive understanding of the Standard Model, the fundamental framework governing matter and interactions in the universe, from the subatomic scale to the early cosmos.

The course aims to equip you with the tools and perspectives essential for navigating research in high-energy physics, astrophysics, and cosmology. Learning outcomes:

• Understand the composition, structure, and symmetries of the Standard Model and their phenomenological consequences for the visible universe.
• Build the conceptual and mathematical foundation necessary for Quantum Field Theory, preparing you for advanced theoretical work in any fundamental physics track.
• Learn how we probe these fundamental interactions, covering the principles of particle detection and data analysis used in both collider physics and astrophysical searches.

Exercises¶

Exercises consist of a mixture of standard training calculations and guided research-oriented tasks involving actual scientific papers. You will learn about key experiments and their challenges, develop the skills to analyze experimental results, and acquire the ability to interpret data plots from major facilities like the LHC and precision measurements. Further research exercises will bring you in contact with cutting-edge open questions in fundamental physics.

Exercise sheets are handed out every Thursday and must be returned typically on the following Thursday unless otherwise noted on the exercise schedule page https://www.physics.smu.edu/tneumann/7360_Spring2026/exercises/. Late submissions are typically not accepted unless communicated and justified ahead of the submission deadline.

See exercises for a list of issue and return dates.

Resources¶

This lecture follows "Elementary Particle Physics, An Intuitive Introduction" by Andrew Larkoski, Cambridge University Press, 2019, which is a required book.

Additionally I recommend the following complementary books:

• "Modern Particle Physics" by Mark Thomson, Cambridge University Press, 2013,
• "Concepts of Elementary Particle Physics" by Michael Peskin, Oxford, 2019,
• "Introduction to Elementary Particles" by David Griffiths, Wiley, 2008, pre-Higgs discovery, not necessarily my first choice, but introduces with a more historical perspective.

For those digging deeper a QFT level I strongly recommend: "Quantum Field Theory and the Standard Model" by Matthew Schwartz, Cambridge University Press, 2013

To get a thorough understanding of the mathematical structure in particle physics I recommend "Quantum Theory, Groups and Representations: An Introduction" by Peter Woit which is freely available as a PDF.

To catch up or review, consider these books:

• Generally recommended book for an undergraduate electrodynamics course with focus on conceptual understanding: "Introduction to Electrodynamics" by David Griffiths, Cambridge University Press

Class schedule¶

• Tuesdays, Thursdays, 11am to 12:20 pm from 1/20 (including) through 5/5 (including)

Final exam and grades¶

The final grade in this course comes from three parts:

• 35% of the final grade: The final (closed-book) exam which takes place on Monday May 11., 11:30 am - 2:30 pm.
• 35% of the final grade: Midterm (closed-book) exam (3/12, Thursday before spring break).
• 30% of the final grade from exercises.

Grading in this course is standards based and not rank/percentile based. That is, each deliverable towards the final grade (final exam, midterm, and exercises) has a pre-defined amount of points that can be achieved. The grades are assigned not based on how well you do compared to peer students, but in your mastery of the material against the lectures' material (following the course requirements). Grades are measuring results and not efforts, since we have no way to measure how much effort has been put into each worksheet.

The relative fractional number of points that are given in total and individually for each the exams and the exercises follow the interpretations in the table below: To get an A-level grade you will have to do as well as could reasonably expected. For a B-level grade your submissions have noticeable flaws, but you are well above the minimum standard. A C-level grade signifies minimum requirements. A D-level grade signifies that some aspects have been learned, but the minimum requirements have not been met.

To summarize, the grade numerical score is as follows and translates to the letter grade as in the table below:

We further add one percent so that students just at the margin of a better grade will receive that. Under no circumstances is (additional) grade bumping performed at the end of the semester, and we consider this an unfair preferential treatment.