Phys622: Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I 
Fall 1998

The purpose of the course is to make you proficient in solving quantum-mechanical problems. This skill is indispensable to every physicist. In practical terms, it will help you to pass the Ph. D. qualifying exam, half of which is devoted to quantum mechanics. Phys622 covers the first half of the textbook, and Phys623 covers the second half of the textbook. See Homework for a detailed list of topics.

Prerequisites: Undergraduate background in quantum mechanics and mathematics.
 

Textbooks:
The main textbook will be "Quantum Mechanics" by Franz Schwabl (Springer, second edition, 1995). Theoretical reading and home problems will be assigned from this textbook.

 
No single textbook contains all required material. The textbooks listed below are not required, but you may wish to look at them occasionally for a clarification or a topic missing in Schwabl. Some of them should be available at the University Book Center (UBC) and on reserve at the Engineering and Physical Sciences Library (EPSL).

  Homework will be handed out on Wednesdays and will be due in one week on the next Wednesdays.  You may also submit it during the week after that, by the next Wednesday, but the number of points will be reduced by 20%. No homework will be accepted and graded after that. Homework may be turned in the class or placed in the box on the door of my office (PHYS 2314). Partial submissions are accepted. I encourage, but not require usage of computer programs, such as Mathematica, for calculations and plotting. I will post homework assignments on the World Wide Web in the form of LaTeX and postscript files. No written solutions of homework problems will be given.

Exams: The the final exam is scheduled on Saturday, December 19 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Midterm exam  will be specified separately. You are allowed to use any books or notes during all exams. It may be necessary to use numerical calculators.

Grades: You will receive points for homework and exams. Generally, the score between 75% and 100% of the maximal possible number of points corresponds to A, between 50% and 75% to B, and between 25% and 50% to C. The exact relative weight of homework and exams will be specified later, but a substantial weight will be given to homework.

E-mail: You are required to have an electronic mail account and to use it.

Mode of operation: No formal lectures will be given. Theoretical material from the textbook will be assigned for home reading. Plenty of problems will be given. Classroom time will be devoted to answering questions, discussing solutions of problems, and exams. Discussion by e-mail is also encouraged.

Active participation is required. This means that you should attempt to understand a topic or to solve a problem yourself, without waiting for explanations. If, after an attempt, you still do not understand something, try to formulate what is the obstacle and ask appropriate questions. The questions may be submitted to me by e-mail. I may ask students to present solutions of problems in class.

Attendance: Attendance of classes is not required, unless an in-class exam is announced. If you come to the class, better bring a question. I will post the homework and important announcements (if any) at the home page of the course on the World Wide Web.

Feedback: I would appreciate you comments and suggestions about the course at any time and in any form. I am particularly interested in your opinion about different textbooks.

Paperwork: Preserve my handouts and your calculations. I will often refer to previous homework problems and solutions.
 

Phys622 main page 
Homework

Last updated August 11, 2000
Home page of Victor Yakovenko