Advanced Quantum Mechanics (Independent Study)
Physics Department ---
Mercer University
Text: A
Modern Approach to Quantum Mechanics, by John S. Townsend
Class
Meetings: TBA
Instructor: Dr. Jose L. Balduz Jr
email: balduz_jl@mercer.edu
phone:
301-2229
office:
Willet Science Center 110
office hours:
MTWRF 11am-Noon, or by appointment, or try your luck anytime...
This course is a continuation of PHY 450 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics, which served as a formal introduction to the subject. It continues the development of the theory with emphasis on less abstract examples, motivated by real physical systems like atoms and molecules. Calculational tools are introduced such as path integrals, symmetries and perturbation theory. Both bound states and scattering problems are considered, as well as the quantization of the electromagnetic field. It is intended primarily for physics majors, but should be of interest also to many other students, especially those majoring in math and chemistry.
Prerequisites:
PHY 450 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
MAT 293 Multivariable Calculus
MAT 330 Introduction to Differential Equations.
MAT 340 Linear Algebra.
Text
material to be covered (tentative):
Ch. 8 Path Integrals (21 pp.)
Ch. 9 Translational and Rotational Symmetry in the Two-Body Problem (37
pp.)
Ch. 10 Bound States of Central Potentials (32 pp.)
Ch. 11 Time-Independent Perturbations (35 pp.)
Ch. 12 Identical Particles (27 pp.)
Ch. 13 Scattering (31 pp.)
Ch. 14 Photons and Atoms (45 pp.)
Meetings: Although this is an independent study course, the student
and instructor will meet regularly, for about two hours per week. During these
times we will discuss the material in the current text, pick problems for the
student to work out later, go over problems the student has already worked and
discuss the students project. It is imperative that the student be adequately
prepared for each meeting, by prior reading of the text and work on assigned
problems. The grade determined from the quality of the meetings will be worth
80% of the total grade.
Project: The student will also produce a calculation of some sort using the
methods studied in the course. This will have both analytical and computational
aspects, and must be approved by the instructor. It must be written up and
handed in to the instructor no later than the last day of the final exam
period, Tuesday May 4. It will be worth 20% of the total grade.
Grading: After each meeting
the instructor will assign a grade to the student for that meeting, ranging
from zero to ten. If the student failed to show up without proper excuse, or
was completely unprepared, the grade will be a zero. If the student did what
was expected, namely studied the text and worked the assigned problems
correctly, the grade will be a ten. Partial results will yield a grade
somewhere in between. The overall meetings grade will be determined as a
percentage of the maximum possible grade. This will count for 80% of the final
grade for the course. The project grade will count for 20% of the final grade
for the course. Given the final percent grade, the final letter grade will be
determined from the table below.
|
|
GP |
% |
|
A |
4 |
90-100 |
|
B+ |
3.5 |
84-89 |
|
B |
3 |
78-83 |
|
C+ |
2.5 |
72-77 |
|
C |
2 |
66-71 |
|
D |
1 |
60-65 |
|
F |
0 |
0-59 |
Miscellaneous policies:
1.
All
parts of this syllabus are tentative and subject to revision.
2.
There
will be no extra-credit work.
3.
The
College of Liberal Arts' academic misconduct policy will be followed. In
addition, all students are bound by the Mercer University Honor Code.
4.
Students
are strongly encouraged to discuss with the instructors all their work
during the course, regardless of their grades. Questions about point
awards should be brought up as soon as possible, as all grades will be final one
week after the materials are graded and returned to the students.
5.
Students
with a documented disability should inform the instructor at the close of the
first class meeting. The instructor will refer you to the office of
Student Support Services (SSS) for consultation regarding evaluation,
documentation of your disability, and recommendations for accommodation, if
needed. Students will receive from SSS the Faculty Accommodation
Form. On this form SSS will identify reasonable accommodations for this
class. The form must be given to the course instructor for signature and
then returned to SSS. To take full
advantage of disability services, it is recommended that students immediately
contact the Office of Student Support Services. The office is located on
the third floor of the Connell Student Center.
6.
All
requests for reasonable accommodation are welcome also in regard to absence
from class for school representation (i.e., athletic or other events) or
personal/family problems. Let's talk about it...