Course Description
Formal development of the postulates and methods of quantum mechanics and its application to a variety of one-dimensional and three-dimensional physical systems and phenomena, including the hydrogen atom, multiparticle systems, quantum tunneling, and scattering. Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in PHY 321, MAT 390, and MAT 396.
Syllabus
Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:
Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
Explain the difference between the time-dependent and time-independent Schroedinger equation, including a description of the commonly encountered functional form of the time-dependence and the reason for its near-universality. Discuss the definition and significance of stationary states.
Explain the difference between transition, emission, absorption, and scattering. Include the involvement of bound and free states for each.
Explain the meaning, significance, and physical origin of the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. Give the commonly encountered specific examples as well as the generalized uncertainty principle, and make the connection to the generalized Ehrenfest theorem.
Explain the relationship between symmetries and conservation laws, and their relationships to quantum operators. Explain unitarity, which operators are required to be unitary, and why.
Course Grading Information:
Activity/Performance Measure | Percentage/Points |
|---|---|
Classroom attendance and participation including in-class assignments | 34% |
Homework | 33% |
Final project | 33% |
Grading Scale
Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
93.00% | A |
90.00% | A- |
87.00% | B+ |
83.00% | B |
80.00% | B- |
77.00% | C+ |
73.00% | C |
70.00% | C- |
67.00% | D+ |
63.00% | D |
60.00% | D- |
Below 60.00% | F |
Attendance/Participation:
Attendance/participation is 34% of the final grade as described in the Course Grading Information section.
Course Materials Purchased by the Students:
Introduction to Quantum Mechanics by D.J. Griffiths.
Scholarly Perspectives
This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.