PH451/551 - CAPSTONES IN PHYSICS: QUANTUM MECHANICS

Winter 2011

Course Information

Quantum Mechanics is a course about the applications of quantum mechanics to modern problems in physics. Every effort will be made to stress the concepts, implications and applications, but the language of quantum mechanics is mathematics, so you must have completed MTH251-6 and MTH341. You are expected to be familiar with the material covered in Paradigms 4, 5, and 6 that relates to quantum systems. There is also some material in Paradigm 7 that would be good to review. The general philosophy is to ask as many questions as possible, and be an active participant in classes; it's more fun for all of us that way! I expect you to have read the assigned material before class. I do not intend to repeat detailed derivations in the text, but you are still required to understand them. Read widely - other texts present the same material in a different way and also give other examples.

Lecture times: MWF 12:00 - 12:50 in WGR 304

• Homework will be due each Monday.
• Homework should be turned in before class on the day it is due. The solutions will be posted promptly, after which homework is considered late. If your homework is late, I may grade it if you have an acceptable excuse, I may scale it as exp(-N) where N is the number of days past due.
• The ground rules for the homework are:
  • 1. We strongly encourage students to work with each other, more advanced students, the TA, and the professor, when they get stuck on assignments. However, each student is expected to turn in independent assignments that show evidence of individual thought.
  • 2. Homework solutions from previous years are strictly off-limits. You are on your honor not to use them. Allow faculty to use their time interacting with you, rather than continually thinking up new assignments. Besides, if you don't do the work yourself, it will show up very clearly on exams.
  • 3. Sources must be appropriately documented. If you find a homework problem worked out somewhere (other than homework solutions from previous years), you may certainly use that resource, just make sure you reference it properly. If someone else helps you solve a problem, reference that too. In a research paper, the appropriate reference would be: Jane Doe, (private communication).

PH451: Final exam: 45%. Midterm exam 30%. Homework 25%.
PH551: Final exam: 35%. Midterm exam 20%. Homework 25% Paper 20%
FINAL: Tuesday, March 15, 9:30 am, Weniger 304

A short paper on a topic of your choosing is required. It should include a brief introduction, a calculation, and some comment on why the calculation is useful or interesting. It can be an extension of some problem assigned in the text or the resources, and should be handed in and presented as a 10-minute talk on the final day of class. A topic should be proposed in writing by February 4. The level of effort expected is approximately equivalent to 1-2 week's homework. Some guidelines should help avoid pitfalls. If any member of the PH451 class is interested in this option, please talk to me.

• D. H. McIntyre, C. A. Manogue, and J. Tate, "Paradigms in Physics: Quantum Mechanics," Avaliable in bookstore and posted on web.

Students with documented disabilities who may need accomodations, who have any emergency medical information which the instructor should know of, or who need special arrangements in the event of evacuation, should make an appointment with the instructor as early as possible, no later than the first week of the term.

Last Update: 1/3/11

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© David McIntyre, Department of Physics, Oregon State University, 2011.