PHYS 711 - Fall 2014


This is the first semester of graduate quantum mechanics. Prerequisites for this course are knowledge of undergraduate quantum mechanics and linear algebra. Some of the topics will be familiar to you, but we will cover the material in more detail.

Instructor:
Matthias Schindler
PSC 403
(803) 777-6089
schindler@sc.edu

Class meeting times and location:
TTh 8:30am – 9:45am, PSC 201

Office hours:
Wednesday 1:30pm – 3:00pm and by appointment

Learning objectives:
  • Students will demonstrate the ability to identify the appropriate concepts to analyze problems  in quantum mechanics.
  • Students will demonstrate the use of physical laws to solve quantitative problems.
  • Specific concepts that students will be expected to demonstrate facility with include but are not limited to: quantum dynamics, angular momentum, symmetries, approximation methods.
  • Students will apply these concepts to a wide range of phenomena that may include topics from: the real hydrogen atom, neutrino oscillations, scattering, parity and time reversal.
Textbook:
"Modern Quantum Mechanics" by J.J. Sakurai/J. Napolitano (second edition)
Other recommended books are “Lectures on Quantum Mechanics” by S. Weinberg, “Principles of Quantum Mechanics” by R. Shankar, and “Quantum Mechanics” by E. Merzbacher. Copies of the latter two are on reserve at the Thomas Cooper Library.

Final exam:
Tuesday, December 9, 9:00am – 11:30am

Midterm exams:
Thursday, September 25, 8:30am
Thursday, October 30, 8:30am

Homework:
Homework problem sets will be assigned weekly. You will have approximately one week to complete the assignments.

Academic integrity:
The policies governing academic integrity are clearly articulated by the University of South Carolina. Students should carefully review the policies outlined in the Honor Code.
You are encouraged to discuss the lecture materials and problems with other students. You may also consult other books and online resources for help with the material. However, copying solutions to problems (regardless of the source) is not permitted and will be considered cheating. All written solutions to the problem sets have to be your own work.
Instances of suspected violation of the policies governing academic integrity will be reported.

Grading:
Homework
 20%
Midterm exams
 50%
Final exam
 30%

Typical minimum scores for grades are as follows. A: 90%, B+: 85%, B: 75%, C+: 70%, C: 60%, D: 50%

Reading assignments:
It is recommended that you read the corresponding chapters in the textbook prior to class. Note that the textbook is not a substitute for the lecture and vice versa.

Policies and procedures:

Attendance: Attendance is mandatory.

Classroom behavior: Please be respectful of others. In particular, cell phones and pagers have to be turned off or silenced during class.

Missed exams: Makeup exams will only be permitted with the previous approval of the instructor for valid and documented reasons. Students who are absent without approval will be assigned a grade of F for the exam.

Office of Student Disability Services: Any student with a documented disability should contact the Office of Student Disability Services at 803-777-6142 to make arrangements for appropriate accommodations.

Course Calendar:
Week of
 Chapter
 Topics
Aug 18
 1
 Postulates of Quantum Mechanics
Aug 25
 1
 Mathematical foundations
Sep 1
 1
 Mathematical foundations
Sep 8
 2
 Quantum dynamics
Sep 15
 2
 Quantum dynamics
Sep 22
 3
 Density matrix
Midterm 1, Sep 25
Sep 29
 2
 Harmonic oscillator
Oct 6
 2
 Schrödinger equation
Oct 13
 4
 Symmetries
Oct 20
 3
 Rotations
Fall break, Oct 23
Oct 27
 3
 Rotations
Midterm 2, Oct 30
Nov 3
 3
 Election day, Nov 4
Angular momentum
Nov 10
 5
 Angular mometum
Nov 17
 5
 Approximation methods
Nov 24
 5
 Approximation methods
Thanksgiving, Nov 27
Dec 1
Review
Dec 8
Final exam, Dec 9


Note that this is a tentative schedule and that it is subject to change depending on progress in class.