INTRODUCTION
TO 
QUANTUM MECHANICS
(PHY304, Fall 2006)
Together with
Einstein's theory of relativity quantum
mechanics constitutes
one of the fundamental pillars
of the modern physics.
Quantum
mechanics describes phenomena on
atomic and subatomic
lengthscales where particles behave like waves and wave
phenomena acquire
particle-like attributes. In many instances quantum
behavior
is manifested on
much larger lengthscales and is directly observable in
our everyday lives
(lasers, semiconductors, superconducting devices, etc.
)
This course will
provide a rigorous introduction into
the world of quantum
phenomena. We shall introduce the wavefunction
description
of matter,
Schrodinger equation governing the behavior of the
latter,
discuss
its interpretation and find its solutions for a number
of interesting
situations. Understanding the principles of the quantum
mechanics involves
learning considerable amount of mathematical formalism.
Thus, although we
shall not need any truly complicated math, working
knowledge
of the
basic calculus, differential equations, and linear
algebra
will be expected
and demanded.
- Instructor: Prof. M.
Franz, Henn 336 <franz(at)phas(dot)ubc(dot)ca>
- Textbook:
“Introduction to Quantum
Mechanics” by D. J. Griffiths, (second edition, Prentice Hall
2005). The course will cover chapters 1-5 plus some additional material
presented in class
- Lectures:
Tu & Th, 9:30-11:00 in Henn 201
- Office hours:
Tue & Th 11:00-12:00 and by
appointment
in Henn 336.
- Teaching
assistants:
- Shirin Hadizadeh
<shirin(at)phas(dot)ubc(dot)ca>
- Poya Haghnegahdar <phaghneg(at)phas(dot)ubc(dot)ca>
- TA office hours:
- Shirin: We 2:00-3:00, Henn 404
- Poya: Tu 1:00-2:00, Henn 414
Course announcements:
- Starting
Sept. 19, TAs will hold regular office hours:
see above for times and
locations.
- Midterm 1 is
scheduled for Oct. 12. It
covers Chapters 1 & 2 from the textbook.
- Midterm is closed book, closed notes.
- Calculators and one letter-sized
hand written formula sheet are allowed.
- Check out the Review
Problems for midterm 1.
- Extra office hours:
Tue, Oct. 10, 4:30-5:30.
- Midterm 2 is
scheduled for Nov. 16. It
covers Chapters 3 & 4 up to and including the hydrogen atom (but
excluding angular momentum).
- Midterm is closed book, closed notes.
- Calculators and one letter-sized
hand written formula sheet are allowed.
- Check out the Review
Problems for midterm 2.
- Extra office hours:
We, Nov 15, 3:30-4:30.
- Final
Exam is scheduled for Dec. 6. It covers all the material
discussed in class.
- Final is closed book, closed notes.
- Calculators and one letter-sized
hand written formula sheet are allowed.
- Check out the Review
Problems for the final.
- Check out the Review
Problems for midterm 2.
- Extra office hours:
Mo, Dec. 4, 3:30-4:30 and Tu, Dec. 5, 2:30-3:30.
