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Physics 526: Quantum Electrodynamics 2011

Course Professor: Mark Van Raamsdonk   
office: Hennings 420    e-mail: mav@phas.ubc.ca


The TA:

Jared Stang, 
jstang@phas.ubc.ca



Where is it?


Lectures:  Monday and Wednesday 2pm - 3:30pm in Hennings 301


Review/question/homework session: Friday at 2pm in Hennings 301


Why should I take it?

Quantum field theory is the language of much of modern theoretical physics, from particle physics to condensed matter theory. It is simply quantum mechanics applied as applied to continuous (or approximately continuous) systems, but turns out to be essential for describing the quantum mechanics of relativistic particles and for understanding the physics of approximately continuous systems that appear in condensed matter physics. In this course, I hope to impart a basic understanding of quantum field theory and provide the basic calculational tools used to make physical predictions.



Books:

Main Text:  Peskin and Schroeder, "An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory"

While I will not follow the textbook closely, this book is generally well-written and is the standard textbook for graduate quantum field theory courses these days. It is a good all-purpose book written from a particle physics point of view.

Other books:

Mandl & Shaw, "Quantum Field Theory" - A simpler introduction to quantum electrodynamics starting with classical E & M

Weinberg, "The Quantum Theory of Fields" - Excellent book with some deep insights into QFT, though can be challenging.

David Tong's notes on quantum field theory (freely available online)



Grading Scheme:

Assignments and in-class activities            60%
Take-home final exam                              40%    

Notes: Late assignments cannot be accepted since solutions will be posted online shortly after assignments are due. However, lowest assignment score will be dropped.



A note about assignments:

Students are encouraged to discuss the assignments with each other, but submitted assignments must be your own work. In other words, you should not be looking at anyone else's assignment when you are writing up your solutions, and similarly, you should not share your completed solution with any of the other students. I have been urged to emphasise that copying work is a very serious matter with serious consequences (e.g. suspension).