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Alexios
P. Polychronakos
TEL: 212-650-5536 FAX: 212-650-6940 |
Material: Quantum Physics I: Fundamental concepts of quantum mechanics
Office hours: Monday 10am – 12pm or by appointment (see me in class, call or email).
Textbook: Introduction to
Quantum Mechanics, David Griffiths
(2nd Edition), Pearson/Prentice Hall (required); Quantum Physics of Atoms, Molecules, Solids,
Nuclei, and Particles, Robert Eisberg and Robert Resnick, John
Wiley & Sons (not required).
Course objectives: At the end of this course, you should:
understand the nature of quantum mechanical states; be able to solve one-dimensional
scattering from barriers and tunneling problems; master the basic mathematical
tools of quantum mechanics; use Dirac notation and creation-annihilation
operators; be able to derive the energy levels of the harmonic oscillator;
master the concepts of quantum angular momentum and spin; be able to solve
central potential problems; derive the energy levels of the hydrogen atom;
understand the distinction between bosons and fermions; master quantum
statistical mechanics; and understand basic quantum information concepts and
Bell’s theorem.
Communication: Relevant information about the course will be circulated by email. Please provide your instructor with a valid email address that you check at least daily if you want to be included. Email addresses will be concealed in the postings and your address will not be communicated to anyone beyond the instructor.
Study plan: You should attend lectures, solve problems as suggested in class, do the assigned homework and review the necessary material from the book or your notes.
This is a hard course that requires your full attention and diligence. Here is some common sense advice, in the first person, which you may disregard at your own peril:
• Do not fall behind! Losing contact with the material as lectures progress is tantamount to failing the course. Quantum mechanics is unforgiving to those who do not take it seriously, and cannot be “crammed” in a hurry.
• Ask questions! The only bad question is the one not asked.
• Solve problems!
• If you have serious difficulties or problems arrange to see me! Do this earlier rather than later. You cannot afford to stay paralyzed and wait until it is too late for help.
Again, this is a course for devoted and committed aficionados of the material, not intellectual tourists. Come in full fighting gear or stay out!
Structure of lectures: There will be no strict
separation between “lecture” and “recitation” sessions. Here is a tentative* schedule (chapters
are from
Week of Topic Week
of Topic
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01/30 Introduction; Early QM |
03/26 Review; MIDTERM |
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02/06 1.1 – 1.6 |
04/02 4.4; 5.1 |
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02/13 2.1, 2.2, 2.4 |
04/09 SPRING RECESS |
|
02/20 2.3, 2.6 |
04/16 5.2, 5.3, 5.4 |
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02/27 3.1 – 3.3 |
04/23 Review |
|
03/05 3.4 – 3.6; Review |
04/30 8.1, 8.2 |
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03/12 4.1, 4.3 |
05/07 8.3; 12.1, 12.2 |
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03/19 4.3 (cont), 4.2 |
05/14 Review, Overview |
Attendance, Homework:
You are strongly advised to attend all lectures. There will be assigned
homework for credit on a weekly basis. Homework can only be handed in class
on the Thursday of the week after it is assigned. Late homework may be accepted
for partial credit at the instructor’s discretion.
Class Behavior: You are expected to act responsibly and follow the rules of the course as well as those of civility. This includes the courtesy of not talking, acting disruptively or engaging in extracurricular activities during lectures (reading newspapers, using laptops or cell phones, sleeping etc.) and of behaving to the lecturer and your fellow students politely. No food can be taken in the classroom, but I will allow drinking non-alcoholic drinks –especially caffeinated!
Cheating: In a
tough course it is sometimes tempting to “cut corners” when doing homework or
during exams. Don’t do it! Cheating under any circumstances is an
extremely serious offence that will precipitate severe academic consequences.
Exams: One
Midterm exam and one comprehensive Final.
1.
Exam Structure: Exams are open
book: you are permitted to bring
with you your books, notes, calculator, slide rule, abacus, ouija
board etc. No wireless devices.
2.
Missing an Exam: For
absence due to serious medical or family emergency and fully documented
to be truly unavoidable, a make-up exam could be given that will be no
easier than the regular exam. It is
to your advantage to be there in the first place.
3.
Etiquette: Show up on
time for the exam. Comply with any seating instructions. Please avoid the
embarrassment of asking to use the bathroom during the exam.
Grades: Your letter grade will be based on a numerical score to be computed as follows: Homework 25%, Midterm 30%, Final 45%. No single exam will guarantee your passing the course, so you are strongly advised to participate in all of the above evaluations.
*NOTE: The instructor reserves the right to make changes during the semester as he sees fit for the course and announce them as they occur. It is the students’ responsibility to remain informed about the course and be alert of any changes or new information.