The Standard Model is a very elegant theory describing elementary particles and their interactions. The course will start with an introduction to the Standard Model and its success in describing results from colliders and non-colliders experiments. However, the SM has still some shortcomings. What is dark matter? Why neutrinos have mass? Why is gravity not included? What is dark energy? Why there is asymmetry between matter and antimatter? How did the Universe evolve and what is the relation to the Higgs boson? Can string theory help to describe quantum gravity? The school will describe modern issues today in particles, strings and cosmology, and link them to the activities at University of Hamburg and DESY. Data analysis today requires heavy use of machine learning and AI in particle physics will be introduced. Visits to on-site experiments will be also organized.

The school will take place in person on the joint campus of DESY and the University of Hamburg at Hamburg-Bahrenfeld. The school is aimed at bachelor students at the 3rd year or at master students in physics. The number of credits correspond to 10 ECTS. All lectures will be held in English.

Registration is open. Registration deadline: 31 May 2025.