Goshen College > Physics

Physics 313
Quantum Theory

Syllabus, Spring 2013

  • 9:00 am, MWF in SC 006

On the web

You can find the syllabus and other materials related to this course on the web at:  

or

Grades will be available on moodle.goshen.edu.

I use your "goshen.edu" e-mail address for class communications. Some of you may use other e-mail services. If you do use some other service, make sure your goshen.edu e-mail account is set up to forward e-mail to the account you read most often. (Zimbra: Preferences > Mail)

Instructor

Paul Meyer Reimer

Sci 011   ·   x7318   ·   e-mail: paulmr@goshen.edu

Overview

A study of the quantum theory in the vector formalism of Dirac. Schrödinger and Heisenberg representations are considered. We begin with 1-dimensional problems with the Schrödinger equation. We treat the full hydrogen atom problem, and angular momentum.

Prerequisites: Prerequisites: Phys 203-204 (General Physics); Math 213 (Calculus III)

Texts and Tools

Required

textbook imageDavid J. Griffiths, Quantum Mechanics.  (Prentice Hall, 2005).

Mathematica: You'll need to use a computer algebra system like Maple or Mathematica to visualize and solve some homework problems and exam questions. You don't have to buy one: GC has a site license for Mathematica which is available on GC lab computers.


Grading

homework & quizzes 30%
problem writeups 15%
midterm exam 23%
final exam 30%
participation 2%

Total grade outcomes:

    A/A- > 90%
    B's 80-89%
    C's 70-79%
    D's 60-69%
    F < 60%

I may adjust this scheme down a bit (e.g. 89% might end up being good enough for an A), but I certainly won't adjust it up.

Homework

Working through the homework is perhaps more important for your learning than anything we do in class.

You will always write up the homework problems yourself. But please do work together with others in the class on the assignments. You may also consult other textbooks and the web.

You may even find a solution to some of the very problems in our textbook. But just as in a more writing-oriented class, * woe be unto you if you simply copy a solution that you find on the web, giving the appearance of it being your own work, when it's not.

Problem writeups

You will write up one or two problems. These will be ** or *** problems. Here is more information on the problem write-ups.

Disability accommodations

Goshen College wants to help all students be as academically successful as possible. If you have a disability and require accommodations, please contact the instructor or Director of the Academic Resource and Writing Center, Lois Martin, early in the semester so that your learning needs may be appropriately met. In order to receive accommodations, documentation concerning your disability must be on file with the Academic Resource and Writing Center, GL113, x7576, lmartin@goshen.edu. All information will be held in the strictest confidence. The Academic Resource and Writing Center offers tutoring and writing assistance for all students. For further information please see www.goshen.edu/studentlife/arwc/.

* Dean's Office statement on plagiarism

Papers you submit in this course will be checked for plagiarized material copied from the web, other student papers, and selected on-line databases. Cases of plagiarism are reported to the Associate Dean. Penalties for plagiarism are listed in the college catalog and range from redoing the assignment to dismissal from the college.

Image credits

Cornell cat, Dartmouth College, Chemistry.