This is the first of a two-volume set, based on courses taught by the author for many years at Washington University, St. Louis. The books will cover quantum field theory at an introductory level appropriate for graduate students in physics, taking them in two semesters to the point where they can begin research in fields using quantum field theory, such as particle physics, nuclear physics, cosmology and astrophysics and condensed matter physics.

The topics introduced in the first volume include free (noninteracting) fields, field quantization, interacting fields, Feynman diagrams, scattering, cross sections anddecay rates; renormalization; symmetry, symmetry breaking and Goldstone bosons.

Each chapter will include examples and exercises for many areas of physics. Python-based computational projects will also be provided with source code for many key concepts. Recommendations for further reading will be included at the end of chapters.