General class info
Tentative syllabus


Go here for homework assignments.

This semester, the class will meet Tues-Thurs from 2:00 - 3:15 pm. The first week of classes will be online, and then after that, we'll meet in Pamplin 30 (different room than the fall).

Office hours are Mondays and Wednesdays from 1-2:30 pm. Email me to set up a zoom session. That said, I'm happy to chat any time I'm free about QFT, just email me to set up a zoom session.

My lecture notes (the class text) will be available from a local copy shop soon.

No class on Thurs April 29 or Tues May 4.

Not only is working on the homework in groups permitted, in fact it is encouraged. If you aren't already part of a study group, then I encourage you to join or form one. After all, one of the easiest and most efficient ways to get questions answered and get a deeper understanding of the material is to consult your peers.

Supplementary material: The following books contain supplementary material. We will not be following them, but if you find something difficult to understand in my notes, one of them may be helpful.

Although most are at the library, I have not put them on reserve, so please be polite to your classmates and don't check them out unless you absolutely must (in which case, return them ASAP).

• M Peskin, D Schroeder, An introduction to quantum field theory
• L Ryder, Quantum field theory
• A. Zee, Quantum Field Theory in a Nutshell, does an excellent job of providing general background and context for students learning QFT for the first time.
• J. Zinn-Justin, Quantum Field Theory and Critical Phenomena
• Itzykson, Zuber, Quantum Field Theory
• Collins, Renormalization
• P Ramond, Field Theory: A Modern Primer
• Michael Stone, The physics of quantum fields
• Les Houches 1975, Methods in Field Theory, ed. by R. Balian and J. Zinn-Justin
• S. Coleman, Aspects of Symmetry
• Weinberg, The Quantum Theory of Fields, volumes I-III. (This is a good reference work for more advanced treatments. To my mind, less useful as an introduction, but definitely a good reference to consult later for detailed technical questions.)

• N. Ashcroft and N. D. Mermin, Solid State Physics, is oriented towards more general topics and only has a little bit pertinent to QFT, but is good regardless
• J. Cardy, Scaling and Renormalization in Statistical Physics
• A. Tsvelik, Quantum Field Theory in Condensed Matter Physics
• E. Fradkin, Field Theories of Condensed Matter Systems, has good treatments of more advanced topics
• J. Reissland, The Physics of Phonons
• H. Haken, Quantum Field Theory of Solids: an Introduction

Homework

Handouts

Last modified: August 16, 2010.
ersharpe at phys