Particle Physics with Cosmic and Terrestric Particle Colliders
Module PH2082
Module version of SS 2018
There are historic module descriptions of this module. A module description is valid until replaced by a newer one.
Whether the module’s courses are offered during a specific semester is listed in the section Courses, Learning and Teaching Methods and Literature below.
| available module versions | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SS 2022 | SS 2021 | SS 2020 | SS 2019 | SS 2018 | SS 2017 | SS 2011 |
Basic Information
PH2082 is a semester module in German or English language at Master’s level which is offered in summer semester.
This module description is valid to WS 2018/9.
If not stated otherwise for export to a non-physics program the student workload is given in the following table.
| Total workload | Contact hours | Credits (ECTS) |
|---|---|---|
| 150 h | 30 h | 5 CP |
Responsible coordinator of the module PH2082 in the version of SS 2018 was Frank Simon.
Content, Learning Outcome and Preconditions
Content
This module provides an introduction to modern experimental astro-particle and particle physics. It covers:
- The connections of particle and astro-particle physics
- Experimental methods and detectors in astro-particle physics
- Precision tests of the Standard Model of particle physics
- Cosmic acceleration mechanisms
- The physics of charged and neutral cosmic rays and the search for the sources of the highest energy particles in the universe
- Dark Matter and Dark Energy
- Gravitational Waves
- Atmospheric, solar and cosmic neutrinos
Learning Outcome
After successful participation in this module, the student is able to
1) Understand the concepts of modern astro-particle physics experiments
2) Discuss the physics of the Standard Model
3) Explain the acceleration mechanisms for highly energetic particles in cosmic objects
4) Discuss the latest results both from studies of high- and ultra-high energy charged and neutral cosmic rays as well as from neutrino physics
5) Understand the evidence for Dark Matter and Dark Energy, and the experimental strategies to study them
Preconditions
Introductory lecture in Nuclear, Particle, and Astrophysics at bachelor level (PH0016 at TUM or equivalent)
Courses, Learning and Teaching Methods and Literature
Learning and Teaching Methods
The lecture presents the learning content in consecutive topical blocks and provides extensive cross references to latest results in particle and astroparticle physics, which can be used by the students to deepen their understanding of individual topics. The lecture coninuously offers the possibility for intensive discssions of the topics of the course and thematically related questions that arise from the referenced material.
Media
PowerPoint presentation, website for presentation material, additional literature and links.
Literature
Mark Thomson: "Modern Particle Physics", Cambridge University Press 2013.
Additional literature references will be provided in the lecture.
Module Exam
Description of exams and course work
There will be an oral exam of 30 minutes duration. Therein the achievement of the competencies given in section learning outcome is tested exemplarily at least to the given cognition level using comprehension questions.
For example an assignment in the exam might be:
- Describe the energy spectrum of cosmic radiation
- How do photons interact with matter?
- How are cosmic rays detected?
- Which experimental observations lead to the postulation of Dark Matter?
- What is the experimental proof that neutrinos have mass?
Exam Repetition
The exam may be repeated at the end of the semester. There is a possibility to take the exam in the following semester.