Program Overview

Introduction to the Scuola Normale Superiore

The Scuola Normale Superiore is a prestigious institution that offers a wide range of academic programs and research opportunities.

Academic Programs

The university is composed of three faculties:

• Faculty of Humanities
• Faculty of Sciences
• Faculty of Political and Social Sciences

Each faculty offers various undergraduate and graduate programs, including PhD courses.

Research Areas

The Scuola Normale Superiore is committed to cutting-edge research and innovation, with a focus on:

• Effective Field Theories
• Quantum Field Theory
• The Standard Model of particle physics
• Gravity and early universe cosmology

Course Details

One of the courses offered is "Effective Field Theories I", which covers topics such as:

• The building blocks of the Standard Model
• Representations of the Lorentz group: Particles vs Fields
• Long-range forces: gauge invariance from Lorentz invariance
• Effective Field Theories and Renormalisation
• The electroweak chiral Lagrangian and the Higgs boson

Course Objectives

The objective of this course is to introduce students to the modern methodology of quantum Effective Field Theories (EFTs). Upon completion, students will have the knowledge and skills necessary to construct and apply EFTs.

Course Requirements

The course is designed for fourth-year master's students and requires an introductory course in Quantum Field Theory as a prerequisite.

Assessment

The course assessment is based on an oral exam.

Lecturer Information

The lecturer for the course is Enrico Trincherini, and the course takes place at Palazzo della Carovana, quarto piano, stanza 119.

Course Duration

The course duration is from February 2026 to May 2026, with 20 course hours and 20 hours of lecturers of reference, equivalent to 3 CFU.

Bibliographic References

The course references include:

• Steven Weinberg - The Quantum Theory of Fields, Volume 1, 2
• Matthew Schwartz - Quantum Field Theory and the Standard Model
• Riccardo Barbieri - Lectures on the Electroweak Interactions

University Life

The Scuola Normale Superiore offers a range of services and opportunities for students, including:

• College life
• Collaboration opportunities
• Peer tutoring
• Financing opportunities
• Psychological wellbeing and support
• Disability support
• Student activities

Placement and Career Opportunities

The university provides placement and career opportunities, including:

• Incoming internships
• Outgoing Internships
• Customised orientation and consultancy
• Placement seminars
• Placement portals
• JOBFair
• Alumni and Mentoring

Research and Innovation

The Scuola Normale Superiore is committed to research and innovation, with a focus on:

• Cutting-edge research
• Departments of Excellence
• Knowledge transfer
• Open Science
• Dissemination of research
• Research Quality Assessment (VQR)

Tools for Research

The university provides various tools for research, including:

• Research opportunities and funding
• Training activities and information
• Knowledge and technology transfer
• The Joint Ethical Committee for Research

Public Engagement

The Scuola Normale Superiore is engaged in public outreach and dissemination of research, including:

• The "Normale delle Idee"
• The "Concerti della Normale"
• Il Cinema della Normale
• Communicating research
• The students' forum
• The "Letture della Normale"
• Contemporary art at the Carovana
• Piazza dei Cavalieri Project
• Third mission/Public Engagement co-ordination

Dissemination of Research

The university disseminates research through:

• Meetings, conferences and workshops
• The Colloqui della Classe di Scienze

Valorisation of Research

The Scuola Normale Superiore valorises research through:

• Placement
• Trasferimento della conoscenza
• Open Science
• Gestione dei dati della ricerca
• Open access alle pubblicazioni