The Fermion Mass Problem

Abstract

Different approaches to the quark-lepton mass problem are reviewed. The infrared quasifixed point predictions for the top quark mass are discussed for the Standard Model and its minimal supersymmetric extension, with particular reference to the large $\tanβ$ scenario and Yukawa unification. Mass matrix ansätze with texture zeros at the unification scale are also considered. It is argued that the hierarchy of fermion masses and mixing angles requires the existence of an approximately conserved chiral flavour symmetry beyond the Standard Model.