FYS4170 – Relativistic Quantum Field Theory

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.

Admission to the course

Students admitted at UiO must apply for courses in Studentweb. Students enrolled in other Master's Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.

Nordic citizens and applicants residing in the Nordic countries may apply to take this course as a single course student.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.

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 FYS9170 – 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 weekly exercises.

A mandatory assignment in the middle of the semester 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: FYS9170 – 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 scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. 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.