Effective Field Theory

8.EFTx is a graduate course on Effective Field Theory (EFT), which provides a fundamental framework to describe physical systems with quantum field theory. For residential students it is listed as 8.851.

Effective Field Theory

8.EFTx is a graduate course on Effective Field Theory (EFT), which provides a fundamental framework to describe physical systems with quantum field theory. For residential students it is listed as 8.851.

8.EFTx is an online version of MIT's graduate Effective Field Theory course. The course follows the MIT on-campus class 8.851, as it was given by Professor Iain Stewart in the Fall of 2013, and includes his video lectures, resource material on various effective theories, and a series of problems to facilitate learning the material. Anyone can register for the online version of the course, and students at MIT or Harvard can also register for 8.S851 for course credit.

Show More

In addition, we will be offering a paid option for learners to earn certificates at a later point.

Effective field theory (EFT) provides a fundamental framework to describe physical systems with quantum field theory. In this course you will learn both how to construct EFTs and how to apply them in a variety of situations. We will cover the majority of the common tools that are used by different effective field theories. In particular: identifying degrees of freedom and symmetries, formulating power counting expansions (both dimensional and non-dimensional), field redefinitions, bottom-up and top-down effective theories, fine-tuned effective theories, matching and Wilson coefficients, reparameterization invariance, and various examples of advanced renormalization group techniques. Examples of effective theories we will cover are the Standard Model as an effective field theory, integrating out the massive W, Z, Higgs, and top, chiral perturbation theory, non-relativistic effective field theories including those with a large scattering length, static sources and Heavy Quark Effective Theory (HQET), and a theory for collider physics, the Soft-Collinear Effective Theory (SCET).

What you'll learn

Examples of effective theories we will cover are:

  • The Standard Model as an effective field theory
  • Integrating out the massive W, Z, Higgs, and top, chiral perturbation theory,
  • Non-relativistic effective field theories including those with a large scattering length,
  • Static sources and Heavy Quark Effective Theory (HQET),
  • A theory for collider physics, the Soft-Collinear Effective Theory (SCET)

Prerequisites

A graduate level course in Quantum Field Theory.

In addressing the material in this course we will assume familiarity with Quantum Field Theory, at the level of Peskin & Schroeder or Srednicki, such as might be obtained from having taken a graduate course on this subject. In particular we will assume knowledge of abelian and nonabelian gauge theories, constructing Lagrangians, renormalization, dimensional regularization, and the calculation of observables like cross sections. At the start of the course a review will be provided for material on the renormalization group and for material outlining the Standard Model of particle and nuclear physics as a quantum field theory.

MIT students are expected to spend 12 hours per week on 8.EFTx, and if you have the necessary background knowledge, we estimate that it will also take you 12 hours per week to do well.

Who can take this course?

Because of U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) restrictions and other U.S. federal regulations, learners residing in one or more of the following countries or regions will not be able to register for this course: Iran, Cuba, Syria, North Korea and the Crimea, Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic regions of Ukraine.