Guide in PDF format

Important notice

The course guide is provisional.

The PDF version of the course guide may take a few days to become available in the DDD.

Physics Beyond the Standard Model

Code: 42860
Credits: 6

2026/2027

Degree programme	Type	Course
High Energy Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology	OP	1

Contact lecturer

Name :: Alex Pomarol Clotet
Email :: alex.pomarol@uab.cat

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

It is recommended to have followed the courses Introduction to Quantum Field Theory, Advanced Quantum Field Theory and Standard Model: Fundamentals and Phenomenology.

Objectives

The main purpose of this course is to give an overview of the possible new physics scenarios that could lie beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. This new physics is necessary to overcome certain drawbacks of the SM.

Learning outcomes

CA12 (Propose solutions to the problems of the standard model beyond those presented in class.) Propose solutions to the problems of the standard model beyond those presented in class.
KA18 (Define the problems of the standard model.) Define the problems of the standard model.
KA19 (Identify solutions to the problems of the standard model with physics beyond the standard model.) Identify solutions to the problems of the standard model with physics beyond the standard model.
SA42 (Apply advanced particle physics methods to propose solutions to the problems of the standard model of particles.) Apply advanced particle physics methods to propose solutions to the problems of the standard model of particles.
SA43 (Analyze the different solutions to the hierarchy problem in the standard model.) Analyze the different solutions to the hierarchy problem in the standard model.
SA44 (Critically analyze the different proposed extensions of the standard model of particles.) Critically analyze the different proposed extensions of the standard model of particles.
SA45 (Use bibliographic tools, online and in English, to delve into the key concepts of theories beyond the standard model.) Use bibliographic tools, online and in English, to delve into the key concepts of theories beyond the standard model.

BMS1: Before the SM:
— Criteria for building models for particle physics: Effective Field Theories (EFT) and first applications:
QED & Gravity
— Accidental symmetries, consistency of the EFT, no-lose theorems for discovery, UV-completions and naturalness issues
BSM2: Behind the SM:
— The SM as an EFT & theoretical reasons for improvement
— Unexplained experimental evidences: Dark Matter, Baryogenesis and neutrino masses
BSM3: Beyond the SM:
— Towards the reduction of parameters: Grand Unified Theories (charge quantization & gauge-coupling unification)
— Addressing the unnaturalness of the SM: Proposals for the strong CP problem (axions) and hierarchy problem (compositeness & supersymmetry)

Learning activities and methodology

Title	Hours	ECTS	Learning outcomes
Theory Lectures	45	1.8	CA12, KA18, KA19, SA42, SA43, SA44, SA45
Exercises	20	0.8	CA12, KA18, KA19, SA42, SA43, SA44, SA45
Preparation of a topic related to the course	20	0.8	CA12, KA18, KA19, SA42, SA43, SA44, SA45

Attendance to theory lectures, exercises, and preparation of a topic related to the course.

In this course, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted as an integral part of the development of coursework, provided that the final result reflects a significant contribution from the student in terms of analysis and personal reflection. Students must clearly identify which parts have been generated using this technology, specify the tools employed, and include a critical reflection on how these tools have influenced both the process and the final outcome of the activity. Failure to disclose the use of AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity and may result in a penalty to the activity grade, or more severe sanctions in serious cases.

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title	Weight	Hours	ECTS	Learning outcomes
Development of a topic	30%	16	0.64	CA12, KA18, KA19, SA42, SA43, SA44, SA45
Exercises in class (Part 2)	30%	2	0.08	CA12, KA18, KA19, SA42, SA43, SA44, SA45
Attendance to the lectures	10%	45	1.8	CA12, KA18, KA19, SA42, SA43, SA44, SA45
Exercises in class (Part 1)	30%	2	0.08	CA12, KA18, KA19, SA42, SA43, SA44, SA45

Attendance to the lectures, exercises and develop a topic related to the course.

There will be a recovery exam for students who have submitted the exercises but failed with a grade higher than 3.5.

This subject/module does not foresee the single assessment system.

Bibliography

1) “Five lectures on effective field theory”, David B. Kaplan (arXiv:nucl-th/0510023).

2) “Beyond the Standard Model”. Alex Pomarol (CERN Yellow Report CERN-2012-001 (arXiv:1202.1391).

3) “Gauge Theory of Elementary Particle Physics”, T. Cheng and L. Li (Oxford University Press 1988). 

4) “The Future Of Grand Unification”, H. Georgi (Prog. Theor. Phys. Suppl. 170 (2007) 119).

5) “Grand Unified Theories”, S. Raby (arXiv:hep-ph/0608183).

6) “A Supersymmetry Primer'', S. P. Martin (arXiv:hep-ph/9709356).

 7) “Strongly interacting electroweak theories and their five-dimensional analogs at the LHC”, A. Pomarol (Perspectives on LHC physics 259-282; also in Int. J. Mod. Phys. A24 (2009) 61).

Software

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching	Group	Language	Semester	Shift
(TEm) Theory (master)	1	English	second semester	morning-mixed