Beyond the Standard Model (901F3)

15 credits, Level 7 (Masters)

Spring teaching

On this module, you’ll critically investigate and examine:

• the structure of the Standard Model of particle physics
• predictions for electroweak scattering processes
• interactions of the Higgs boson
• the questions that the Standard Model of particle physics leaves unresolved.

You’ll explore some of the most promising new physics extensions, including:

• scalar and gauge group extensions
• grand unification
• supersymmetry
• Kaluza-Klein models of extra-dimensions
• the axion solution to the strong CP problem
• effective field theories.

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 150 hours of work. This breaks down into about 25 hours of contact time and about 125 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2026/27. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.