Best Resources for Self-Studying QFT Before Grad School?

[alemsalem]

I have three months before I begin grad school,, I have been studying from Mark Srendnicki's book its good but I'm not satisfied (because I jumped to QFT instead of studying things in between)...
I found Colman's Lectures (http://www.physics.harvard.edu/about/Phys253.html) and Lecture notes and he's just legendary,, so i was wondering if that would be enough or should I continue to study from other books...

Thanks :)

 

[yenchin]

I like this:

http://www.damtp.cam.ac.uk/user/tong/qft.html

 

[capandbells]

Zee's Quantum Field Theory in a Nutshell is good. It is written in a very casual style, so it is easy to dig into without getting intimidated right away.

edit: Although you will eventually get intimidated no matter what.

 

[elfboy]

you can't self-study qft
too many concepts to build up on, imho

 

[Schrodu]

In my opinion, some tools of QFT (path integrals, perturbation, renormalization) are more easily readable from condensed matter/stat mech books, for example, https://www.amazon.com/dp/0521845084/?tag=pfamazon01-20

 

[alemsalem]

you can't self-study qft
too many concepts to build up on, imho

Probably, but there is no reason why not to waste my time trying, I will learn what I can now and the rest for later.. I also like to get a taste of physics to come so I can put things in perspective..

Zee's nutshell seems like fun at least in the beginning. along with Coleman's lectures and notes..

Thanks..

 

[George Jones]

Another possibility for self-study is the the third edition (but not the first and second) editions of the two volumes of Gauge Theory in Particle Physics by Aitchison and Hey,

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0750308648/?tag=pfamazon01-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0750309504/?tag=pfamazon01-20.

 

[grey_earl]

A very nice introductory read is also Peskin & Schroeder. However, they are quite focused on particle physics and Feynman diagrams.

 

[Daverz]

I second Aitchison & Hey. A very good overview without overwhelming the reader with mathematical details, and the first volume is doable in 3 months.

The Coleman videos lost me about lecture 7 or 8. It seemed like something was left out.

 

[Norman]

Another possibility for self-study is the the third edition (but not the first and second) editions of the two volumes of Gauge Theory in Particle Physics by Aitchison and Hey,

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0750308648/?tag=pfamazon01-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0750309504/?tag=pfamazon01-20.

I third this recommendation. A&H was invaluable to me my first semester in QFT. A great supplement. The first time learning QFT, Zee was largely lost on me. After studying it, going back to Zee was much more interesting. I wouldn't say it will be a great resource the first time through. But it may be to others.