VDSP Summer Academy 2025 - Symmetries, Particles and Fields

Symmetry principles are foundational to our understanding of the laws of physics, serving as essential tools in the exploration of matter’s fundamental structure and dynamics. Over the course of two weeks, through a combination of lectures and exercise classes, we will provide a concise and modern exploration of symmetries in both classical and quantum physics, with a special emphasis on their applications in particle physics.

This programme is structured into three distinct yet interconnected lecture series, covering key concepts in modern theoretical physics, such as the representation theory of symmetry groups, the phenomenon of spontaneous symmetry breaking, and the formalism of effective theories.

Topics:

• What is Spin?
• Effective theories in classical and quantum physics
• Lagrangian Symmetries and Gauge Invariance: Theoretical Foundations and Phenomenological Implications