Computer Simulation in Science

Theoretical Particle Physics (TPP)

Are you driven to understand the fundamental laws of nature—from quantum fields to the evolution of the universe? In the Theoretical Particle Physics specialization, you’ll explore the foundations of the Standard Model, master quantum field theory and renormalization techniques, and connect critical phenomena and lattice models with modern computational methods. If you want to simulate particle interactions, decode phase transitions, and uncover the cosmological insights behind the Big Bang, dark matter, and dark energy, this specialization is exactly for you!

Description of the Specialization

Theoretical Particle Physics specialization consists of 2 semesters. Each semester students can choose 1 module from 3. In the first semester these are The Standard Model of Elementary Particle Physics, Many Particles Theory, and Statistical Field Theory. In the second semester these are Cosmology and General Relativity, Introduction to Quantum Field Theory, and Advanced Quantum Mechanics. Students learn such concepts as occupation number representation, microscopic electronic models of solid-state physics, green functions and perturbation theory, Feynman diagrams, physical applications of perturbation theory, linear response theory. They acquaint with critical phenomena, renormalisation group, conformal invariance and field theory, finite-size scaling, two-dimensional Ising model, nonlinear sigma model, thermodynamics of exactly solvable vertex models, stochastic systems, and random walk and Brownian motion. The University of Wuppertal is one of Germany's most distinguished research institutions in lattice gauge theory. Among the interests of the local groups are: quantum chromodynamics (QCD), thermodynamics of quarks and gluons, fundamental parameters of QCD, muon anomalous magnetic moment, algorithms for lattice QCD, chiral fermions, CP violation, Higgs physics and extra dimensions.

Module 1. The Standard Model of Elementary Particle Physics (SMTP) – elective with the alternatives of SFT and VTT (in the 2nd semester)
Workload: 8 ECTS (240 hours, 1 semester)
Final assessment: 30-minutes oral exam or written homework of 20-25 pages, not restricted in attempts

Components: 

• The Standard Model of Elementary Particle Physics - a (SMTP-a)

Foundations and properties of the Standard Model. 

• The Standard Model of Elementary Particle Physics - b (SMTP-b)

Contents of the lecture are practiced in dedicated exercises.

 

Module 2. Many Particle Theory (VTT) – elective with the alternatives of SFT and SMTP (in the 2nd semester)
Workload: 8 ECTS (240 hours, 1 semester)
Final assessment: 30-minutes oral exam or written homework of 20-25 pages, not restricted in attempts

Components: 

• Many Particle Theory - a (VTT-a)

  • Occupation Number Representation
  • Microscopic Electronic Models of Solid State Physics
  • Green Functions and Perturbation Theory
  • Feynman Diagrams
  • Physical Applications of Perturbation Theory
  • Linear Response Theory

• Many Particle Theory - b (VTT-b)

Contents of the lecture are practiced in dedicated exercises.

 

Module 3. Statistical Field Theory (SFT) – elective with the alternatives of SMTP and VTT (in the 2nd semester)
Workload: 8 ECTS (240 hours, 1 semester)
Final assessment: 30-minutes oral exam or written homework of 20-25 pages, not restricted in attempts

Components: 

• Statistical Field Theory - a (SFT-a)

  • Critical Phenomena
  • Renormalisation Group
  • Conformal Invariance and Field Theory
  • Finite-Size Scaling
  • Two-Dimensional Ising Model
  • Nonlinear Sigma Model
  • Thermodynamics of Exactly Solvable Vertex Models
  • Stochastic Systems
  • Random Walk and Brownian Motion 

• Statistical Field Theory - b (SFT-b)

Contents of the lecture are practiced in dedicated exercises.

 

Module 4. Cosmology and General Relativity (COS) – elective with the alternatives of EQFT and FQM (in the 3rd semester)
Workload: 8 ECTS (240 hours, 1 semester)
Final assessment: oral or written exam, not restricted in attempts

Components: 

• Introduction to Cosmology and General Relativity (COS-a)

General Co-ordinate Transformations, Metrics of Space-Time, Robertson-Walker Metrics, Einstein and Friedmann Equations, Cosmic Dynamics and World Models, Hubble Law, Critical Density of Universe, Cosmological Constant, Age Measurements, Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation, Primordial Nucleosynthesis, Dark Matter.

• Main Seminar on Particle Physics (STP-a)

Seminar on topics of theoretical and experimental particle physics.

 

Module 5. Introduction to Quantum Field Theory (EQFT) – elective with the alternatives of COS and FQM (in the 3rd semester)
Workload: 8 ECTS (240 hours, 1 semester)
Final assessment: 30-minutes oral exam or written homework of 20-25 pages, not restricted in attempts

Components: 

• Introduction to Quantum Field Theory (EQFT-a)

  • Relativistic Quantum Mechanics
  • Nöther Theorem
  • Field Quantization in Momentum Space
  • Propagator of the Free Scalar Field
  • Wick Theorem
  • Interaction, Normal Ordering, Time Ordering
  • Feynman Diagrams
  • Cross Sections and Decay Rates
  • Regularization and Renormalization
  • Representations of the Poincare Group
  • Grassmann Variables
  • Path Integrals
  • Quantization of Gauge Theories
  • Quantum Electrodynamics

• Exercises Introduction to Quantum Field Theory (EQFT-b)

Contents of the lecture are practiced in dedicated exercises.

 

Module 6. Advanced Quantum Mechanics (FQM) – elective with the alternatives of EQFT and COS (in the 3rd semester)
Workload: 8 ECTS (240 hours, 1 semester)
Final assessment: oral or written exam, not restricted in attempts

Components: 

• Advanced Quantum Mechanics (FQM-a)

  • Invariance of the Equations of Motion and Conserved Quantities
  • Time Reversal
  • Time Dependent Perturbation Theory
  • Variational Methods
  • Hartree Fock Equation
  • Structure of Molecules
  • Scattering Theory: Cross Section, Born Series, Single and Multiple Scattering
  • S- and T-matrix
  • Relativistic Quantum Mechanics: Klein-Gordon and Dirac Equation
  • Field Quantization
  • Quantum Theory of Radiation
  • Foundations of Particle Physics

• Exercises Advanced Quantum Mechanics (FQM-b)

Contents of the lecture are practiced in dedicated exercises.

At least 24 ECTS credits (or 13% of completed Bachelor´s degree) in the following fields: Quantum Mechanics, Elementary Particle Physics, Theoretical Physics (Mechanics, Electromagnetism, Thermodynamics).

You can check yourself, if you can study on this specialization by completing the:

Self-Assessment Test

Graduates of the Theoretical Particle Physics specialization are qualified for careers in fundamental research, advanced scientific computing, and high-technology industries. They find employment at universities, national and international research laboratories, and institutes specializing in particle physics, cosmology, condensed matter theory, and lattice gauge theory.

Typical positions include Theoretical Physicist, Research Scientist, Lattice QCD Researcher, Scientific Computing Specialist, Data Analyst in high-energy physics, and R&D Scientist in advanced modelling. Alumni work on quantum field theory, quantum chromodynamics (QCD), cosmology, statistical field theory, and the development of numerical algorithms for lattice simulations.

The strong analytical and mathematical training also opens career paths in quantitative modelling, data science, and algorithm development in finance, technology, and research-driven industries. The specialization provides excellent preparation for doctoral studies in theoretical physics and related fields.

Gallery

Contacts

Person responsible for the specialization:

       Dr. Tomasz Korzec, +49 202 439 2612, korzec[at]uni-wuppertal.de 

Lecturers: 

Links:

Website of the Department of Theoretical Particle Physics

Website of Prof. Klümper´s research group on Many Particle Physics

Last modified: 25.03.2026