Course Details in 2023/24 Session

Module Title	LC Introduction to Particle Physics and Cosmology
School	Physics and Astronomy
Department	Physics & Astronomy
Module Code	03 17484
Module Lead	Dr Nigel Watson & Patricia Schmidt
Level	Certificate Level
Credits	10
Semester	Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-11 hours Practical Classes and workshops-22 hours Guided independent study-67 hours Total: 100 hours
Exclusions
Description	This module is one of the Year 1 Physics Skills and Specialism modules. There are three components to these modules: the lectures on the specialist topic, plus Computing classes and the Year 1 Physics Essay. The latter two are common to all skills and specialism options and their content is not related to the specialist lectures. A complete understanding of the Universe requires us to consider matter on both the very smallest 10-18m and largest scales 1026m. This is the realm of Particle Physics and Cosmology. We will begin by very briefly introducing the Standard Model of Particle Physics. We will subsequently concentrate on the methods used in particle physics experiments, including the interaction of particles with matter and how these are exploited in the design of individual detectors components, and the way in which these components are brought together to build large experiments. We will then switch our attention to Modern Cosmology and see how the observation of distant Galaxies led to the idea that the Universe is expanding. We will derive the equation of motion for the Universe and solve it for the case of a Universe dominated with matter. We will look at the evidence that leads us to believe in the Big Bang model of Cosmology and derive expressions for the size and temperature of the Universe as a function of time. Finally we will look at the evidence for dark matter and dark energy and link these back to outstanding questions in Particle Physics. The Computing element consists of weekly classes and exercises in the use of a mathematical analysis package. Communication and research skills are developed through the writing of an essay on an appropriate physics-related topic.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module the student should be able to: show a very basic understanding of some particles in the Standard Model of Particle Physics; describe types of measurements made by Particle Physics experiments describe the principles of operation (with specific examples) of PP detection techniques, such as electromagnetic calorimetry and tracking detectors describe how individual particle detection techniques are used in combination by experiments, and to illustrate this with specific examples explain and apply in the concepts of Doppler shift and redshift derive the acceleration equation and the Friedmann equation using conservation of energy and laws of thermodynamics explain in the concept of scale factor describe of the success of Big Bang Cosmology in explaining current observations and of the outstanding theoretical challenges derive the evolution of matter, radiation and dark energy mass-energy density in terms of the scale factor and redshift calculate the age of the universe from the solutions to the Friedmann equation explain the evidence that leads to the assumption of dark matter and dark energy describe the importance of the cosmic microwave background and of its origin Demonstrate skills in the use of a commercial mathematical analysis package Demonstrate skills in written communication, presentation, research and referencing.
Assessment	17484-05 : Examination : Exam (Centrally Timetabled) - Written Unseen (50%) 17484-06 : Computer Lab : Coursework (35%) 17484-07 : Essay : Coursework (15%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	1 hour examination (50%), Computing (35%) and essay (15%)
Other	None
Reading List