Quantum Field Theory

Prof. Lorenzo Tancredi, Prof. Murad Alim

This class will cover the foundations of Quantum Field Theory. A rough program of the course will be

• The need for field theories. Lorentz, Poincare' invariance and consequences.
• Classical field theories for different spins.
• Canonical quantization.
• Path integral quantization.
• Quantum symmetries and Ward identities.
• Scattering Theory.
• Perturbation theory, loop integrals and regularization techniques.
• Renormalization theory.
• Quantum Electrodynamics.

 

Suggested Literature (in random order)

• Maggiore, A Modern Introduction to Quantum Field Theory
• Peskin-Schroeder, An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory
• Ryder, Quantum Field Theory
• Weinberg, The Quantum Theory of Fields, Volume I
• Srednicki, Quantum Field Theory
• Schwartz, Quantum Field Theory and the Standard Model

 

 

General Information

Classes take place every week on Monday and Wednesday. The course amounts to a total of 5 hours per week, with the following arrangement: 

• Monday lectures are always 2 hours (12:15 - 13:45)
• Wednesday lectures are either 2 hours (12:15 - 13:45) or 4 hours (12:15 - 13:45 + 14:00 - 15:30). 

There will be NO CENTRAL TUTORIAL. See below for more info on ex classes.

The course includes also mathematical complements that will be covered by Prof. Murad Alim. Mathematical complements will take place on some Wednesdays and are integral part of the course (especially for TMP students). Here is a tentative schedule of the Wednesday lectures, with foreseen double lectures and maths lectures. 

IMPORTANT: this schedule is not 100% final and might change, please check regularly here and pay attention to moodle announcements.

• Wednesday 15.10.2025 - single maths lecture  (12:15 - 13:45)
• Wednesday 22.10.2025 - double maths lecture (12:15 - 15:30)
• Wednesday 29.10.2025 - double physics lecture (12:15 - 15:30)
• Wednesday 05.11.2025 - double maths lecture  (12:15 - 15:30)
• Wednesday 12.11.2025 - single physics lecture (12:15 - 13:45)
• Wednesday 19.11.2025 - single physics lecture (12:15 - 13:45)
• Wednesday 26.11.2025 - single physics lecture (12:15 - 13:45)
• Wednesday 03.12.2025 - double physics lecture (12:15 - 15:30)
• Wednesday 10.12.2025 - single physics lecture (12:15 - 13:45)
• Wednesday 17.12.2025 - double maths lecture  (12:15 - 15:30)
• Wednesday 07.01.2025
• Wednesday 14.01.2025
• Wednesday 21.01.2025
• Wednesday 28.01.2025
• Wednesday 04.02.2025

 

Tutorial Classes

There will be no central tutorial, only standard tutorial classes every week for 2 hrs.

Exercise classes will be organised directly on moodle. Please make sure you are registered for the course.

Tutorials start in the third week of the semester (October 27th).

To be assigned to an exercise class, please fill up the following form by Monday, October 20th, at 8am.

Exercises will be made available at least one week in advance; the solution should be handed in to the tutors through moodle at the latest on Friday morning of the week before they are discussed. Please arrange details for handing in the exercises with your tutor.

Info on Bonus

A bonus of one grade step ("0,3'') in the final grade can be earned by successful participation in the tutorial. However, the bonus cannot convert a failed exam into "passed" (4.3 does NOT become 4.0). "Successful participation" means:

• Attendance to all tutorials. The tutors will keep attendance lists; if you cannot be present on a certain date for good reasons, you should notify your tutor in advance.
• Solving at least 75% of the homework problems. Solutions should be handed in at the latest on Friday morning before the week when each exercise is discussed.
• An exercise sheet counts as “solved” (i.e. toward the 75% you need) if you correctly solve half of it (around 50 points out of 100).

IMPORTANT: The bonus is only valid for the first exam.

Lecture Notes

Hand-written lecture notes will be uploaded here weakly.