Concepts of Elementary Particle Physics

I field tested this new textbook in a senior-level course that introduces advanced undergraduates to elementary particle physics before they have had the formal training in quantum field theory that is usually needed to rigorously present many aspects of the Standard Model. I say usually, because in his new book, Professor Peskin adeptly manages to avoid this prerequisite, in a comprehensive, modern, and unique exposition that is a welcome addition to teachers of the subject at this level. * Christopher S. Hil, Department of Physics, Ohio State University *Peskin’s book provides a perspective on the Standard Model of particle physics driven by observations. He presents just enough mathematical sophistication to connect the theoretical frameworks with their experimental consequences, allowing the reader to focus on the concepts. By recounting essentially every major particle physics discovery - often showcasing the original presentation of the data - he makes a compelling case for why we believe the laws of nature follow the rules of the Standard Model. * Timothy Cohen, Department of Physics, University of Oregon *Prof. Peskin’s Concepts of Elementary Particle Physics provides a concise and up-to-date mixture of theory and experiment that is much appreciated for books at the undergraduate level. In this book, the reader is led to discover the fundamental constituents of matter, from the Standard Model to what may lie beyond. This is done in an accessible way, as the book builds from the foundations up and provides chapter-by-chapter exercises to strengthen the understanding of the concepts and references to go more in detail. * Caterina Doglioni, Department of Physics, Lund University *A comprehensive, coherent, and thoroughly digestible presentation of the ideas that lie at the heart of modern-day particle physics. This book would be a welcome resource for any University physics student wishing to gain their first insights into the field. * Bruce Schumm, Physics Department, University of California, Santa Cruz *This is a well written and much needed book that exposes undergraduates to the deep ideas, structure and principles of quantum field theory. It is a solid stepping stone for graduate work on the topic. * Surjeet Rajendran, Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley *

Michael E. Peskin received his Ph.D. in Physics from Cornell University in 1978. He held postdoctoral appointments at Harvard, Cornell, and C.E.N. Saclay. In 1982, he joined the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, where he is now a Professor of Particle Physics and Astrophysics.