Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics

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This course provides an overview of the key concepts in nuclear and elementary particle physics. Nuclear physics is the study of complex nuclei. The following topics will be explored: basic nuclear properties, the nuclear force, models of nuclear structure, different types of nuclear decay, and nuclear fission and fusion and their applications. Particle Physics provides us with an understanding of the fundamental particles in the universe and the interactions between them. This course will provide an overview of the particles and interactions in the Standard Model of particle physics. Students will be taught how to use Feynman diagrams to calculate interaction cross-sectons for simple examples within Quantum Electrodynamics (QED), which describes the electromagnetic interaction. An overview of the development of the Standard Model through experimental observations will also be provided. This course requires a good understanding of Quantum Mechanics. Special relativity is also inherent in Modern Particle Physics, however for this course any necessary concepts will be taught in the lectures. Students should note that the format of the course will be slightly different in 2016 to previous years. The first four weeks of the course will follow a standard but condensed format, such that all of the required theory is covered by the end of the forth week. For the last two weeks of the course there will be no lectures but students will be expected to work in groups and produce an extended literature review on an advanced topic in the field (although there will be no tutorials meetings with the course co-ordinator will be possible during this time). This course has no midterm exam, but there will be assessed problem sheets to complete throughout the period.