The lectures start with an introduction of the mathematical tools needed to study the underlying theory of particle physics. We will look at the Lagrangian formalism and at transformations between different inertial systems. We introduce the 4-vector notation and we will get a chance to make calculations for decays and collisions between particles using relativistic mechanics. We will then get to know about symmetries and conservation laws and we will get familiar with the building blocks of the Standard Model, the leptons, the quarks, the gauge bosons and their quantum numbers
The second part of the lectures focuses on introducing the theoretical framework of the three pillars of the Standard Model: the electromagnetic, the weak and the strong interactions. For each of the three topics, we make the connection between theory and the latest experimental results from state-of-the-art accelerators (e.g. the Large Hadron Collider at CERN) and detector systems. Finally, we conclude with the latest developments in the field of particle physics, including the discovery of the Higgs particle and its importance but also with a discussion about physics beyond the Standard Model.