  The standard model of particle physics represents the cornerstone of our
understanding of the microscopic world. In these lectures we review its
contents and structure, with a particular emphasis on the central role played
by symmetries and their realization. This is not intended to be an exhaustive
review but a discussion of selected topics that we find interesting, with the
specific aim of clarifying some subtle points and potential misunderstandings.
A number of more technical topics are discussed in separated boxes interspersed
throughout the text.
