Course Syllabus

PC 442 4411 Quantum Mechanics II 

Block 4, 2014-15, CRN: 10024.  Meets in Barnes 217.  

Quantum II is the second half of our senior course in quantum mechanics. You built the basic structure of the theory in Quantum I, now you come closer to the real world--we can't find easy solutions of the Schrodinger Equation for most problems, and have to resort to approximations. We will learn how to deal with small corrections to a solvable Hamiltonian (perturbation theory), as well as other approaches. In the last quarter of the course we will discuss what it all means, an area of active research today.

Textbooks
The first required textbook for this course is Introduction to Quantum Mechanics, 2 ed. by David J. Griffiths. I think it's the best intro book on the market (that's why I picked it). But you've already worked your way through the first half; you know the book. The second is The Quantum Challenge, 2 ed. by George Greenstein and Arthur Zajonc. It's a wonderful exploration of the foundations of quantum theory, and will take away all the conceptual safe havens you thought would save you.

 Homework

Tentative reading and homework assignments are listed on the course schedule. We will spend most of each class discussing the text and problems assigned the previous day. Read the text with a pencil and paper handy to fill in steps in derivations and jot down questions to ask in class. Working problems is essential to understanding the material. I encourage you to work together on the homework. However, each of you should write up your own version of the problems. In physics, you learn by doing.

The grading scheme for the homework is arranged to encourage you to make a serious attempt at the problems before coming to class, but not to penalize you significantly if you don’t get it the first time. You will be given full credit for each problem correctly finished before class starts and 80% credit for problems attempted before class and corrected by 4:00 PM the day the homework is due. I’ll give 50% credit if you have finished the problem correctly by by 4:00 PM the day the homework is due, but didn’t attempt it before class. At the beginning of class I will pick up a copy of your homework as a way to see how you're doing. However the homework will be self graded and you are on your honor to report accurate grades.

Quizzes and Exams

We will have two exams.  Each exam will be open textbook, and you can use a calculator and table of integrals (or integrals.com or equivalent).

Schedule