FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Feel free to contact Prof. Tanedo if you have questions about this course. Please include [P165] in the subject line to ensure that your email is not filtered out.

Logistics

• When is this course be offered?
  This course is usually offered every other year.

• How much quantum mechanics do I need for this course?
  The more the better. However, I am only assuming that students have taken Physics 156A and Physics 156B. You should be familiar with probability amplitudes, interference, and the double slit experiment. 

• What mathematical preparation do I need?
  If you have taken the requirements for Physics 156 (quantum mechanics), then you should be fine for this course. It will help to have also taken Physics 17 or the equivalent.

• I am not a physics major, may I take this course?
  You are welcome to take this course. 

Questions you didn't want to ask in public

• What's in it for me?
  After taking this course, you will have the theoretical foundation to jump into research. The course gives a "big picture" of the theory of fundamental particles. It works both as the beginning of a dedicated study of particle physics (e.g. in preparation for graduate school) as well as a chance to get to see what particle physics is all about before graduating and going off to do something in another field.

• What is the time commitment of the course?
  This course is 4 units. By the standards of the UC system, each unit corresponds to one hour of classroom time + 3 hours of outside time per week. This means that each week you can expect to spend 9 hours outside the class on this course. This time will be spent reading the textbook(s) and doing homework assignments (problem sets + explainer videos).