Spring 2026 - PHYS 871 G100
Introduction to Elementary Particle Physics (3)
Class Number: 6157
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Mon, Wed, Fri, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Bernd Stelzer
stelzer@sfu.ca
1 778 782-7731
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Prerequisites:
Recommended Corequisite: PHYS 812.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Elementary particle phenomenology; classification of particles, forces, conservation laws, relativistic scattering theory, electromagnetic interactions of leptons and hadrons, weak interactions, gauge theories, strong interactions.
COURSE DETAILS:
Topics:
• Relativistic Kinematics
• Overview of Relativistic Quantum Mechanics and Classical Field Theories.
• Introduction to Feynman Diagrams and Reaction Amplitudes.
• Interactions and Quantum Electrodynamics.
• Symmetries, Groups and Conservation Laws. The Gauge Principle.
• SU(2) × U(1)Y Electroweak Theory and the Higgs Mechanism.
• SU(3)color and the Quark model of hadrons.
• Deep Inelastic Scattering: The Structure of the Nucleon.
• Neutrino Physics
• Experimental Concepts
• Recent results and progress in the field.
Grading
- Assignments 25%
- Midterms (2x20%) 40%
- Final Exam 35%
NOTES:
This grading scheme will be different for graduate students who will also have a term paper to hand in. We will discuss the size of this project in the first week of class and adjust the marking scheme appropriately.
Materials
MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:
Required text:
Modern Particle Physics
Thomson
ISBN:9781107034266
Recommended Texts:
Intro To Elementary Particles
Griffiths
ISBN: 9783527406012
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
Graduate Studies Notes:
Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.
To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit:
- SFU’s Academic Integrity Policy: S10-01 Policy
- SFU’s Academic Integrity website, which includes helpful videos and tips in plain language: Academic Integrity at SFU
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.