PHY4604 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I
Spring 2015
Lectures
Lectures will take place every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from January 7 through April 22 except January 19 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day) and March 2–6 (spring break). Classes will be held 6th period (12:50–1:40 p.m.) in NPB 1011.
Instructor
Xiaoguang Zhang
Office: NPB 2332
email: xgz@ufl.edu
tel: 352.392.6971
Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10:00 a.m.–noon (may adjust)
Grader
Gaoli Chen
Office: NPB 2060
email: gchen@ufl.edu
tel: 352.392.7003
Office Hours: TBD
Course Overview
PHY 4604 is the first course of the two-semester introductory quantum
mechanics sequence PHY 4604–4605. The course introduces the basic
concepts of wave mechanics, the formalism of quantum mechanics, and
applications to atomic, molecular, and condensed matter physics. The material covered is central to much of contemporary research in physics, in other sciences, and in engineering.
You can view archived material for Fall 2008, Fall 2009, Fall 2010, Spring 2012, Fall 2012, Spring 2013, and Fall 2014.
Textbook
The course text is Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
by David J. Griffiths (2nd ed., Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005). The text
is required, meaning that you will be assumed to have access to it to
complete reading and homework assignments.
There are many other useful textbooks on quantum
mechanics. You are encouraged to explore alternatives. Here are four
that have often been recommended by colleagues who taught the course in
the past:
- R. Shankar "Principles of Quantum Mechanics", 2d edition, Springer 1994.
- L.E. Ballentine "Quantum Mechanics, A Modern Development", World Scientific 1998.
- M. Belloni, W. Christian and A.J. Cox "Physlet Quantum Mechanics", Pearson Prentice Hall 2006.
- S. Gasiorowicz "Quantum Physics", J. Wiley, 1974.
Prerequisites
Modern physics, PHY3103 or PHY3063, is a
prerequisite because it motivates and introduces the Schrodinger
equation, which is the starting point for this course. For mathematics,
you should have completed differential equations, MAP 2302, as well as
have familiarity with such linear algebra concepts as eigenstates and
eigenvalues.
Homework
There will be seven homework sets, due on 1/21, 2/2, 2/16, 3/9, 3/23, 4/6 and 4/20. The homework is your best opportunity to learn the material in depth. If at all possible, do the homework entirely on your own. Only if you are hopelessly stuck is it alright to seek help from the instructor or other students. Any help must be explicitly acknowledged at the end of the corresponding problem. In that case you will not be penalized for having received help.
Quizzes
There will be five quizzes, on 1/21, 2/2, 2/16, 3/23, and 4/6.
The quizzes will be on the material covered by the previous homework
set. The best four of the quizzes will be counted towards your final
grade.
Midterm and final exams
Midterm will be on Wed, Feb. 25, 8pm-10pm in NPB 1011. The final will be on Wed, Apr 29, at 12:30pm-2:30pm in NPB 1011.
Grades and grade points
The final grade will be based on:
| Homework | 20% |
| Quiz | 20% |
| Midterm | 25% |
| Final | 35% |
For information on current UF policies for assigning grade points, see https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/grades.aspx
Attendance requirement
Requirements for class attendance and make-up exams, assignments, and other work in this course are consistent with university policies that can be found at: https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/attendance.aspx.
Students with disabilities requesting accommodations should first register with the Disability Resource Center (352-392-8565, www.dso.ufl.edu/drc/) by providing appropriate documentation. Once registered, students will receive an accommodation letter which must be presented to the instructor when requesting accommodation. Students with disabilities should follow this procedure as early as possible in the semester.
Online course evaluation
Student assessment of instruction is an important part of efforts to improve teaching and learning. At the end of the semester, students are expected to provide feedback on the quality of instruction in this course using a standard set of university and college criteria. These evaluations are conducted online at https://evaluations.ufl.edu. Evaluations are typically open for students to complete during the last two or three weeks of the semester; students will be notified of the specific times when they are open. Summary results of these assessments are available to students at https://evaluations.ufl.edu/results.
Academic honesty
As a student at the University of Florida, you have committed yourself to uphold the Honor Code, which includes the following pledge: “We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honesty and integrity.” You are expected to exhibit behavior consistent with this commitment to the UF academic community, and on all work submitted for credit at the University of Florida, the following pledge is either required or implied: "On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment."
It is assumed that you will complete all work independently in each course unless the instructor provides explicit permission for you to collaborate on course tasks (e.g. assignments, papers, quizzes, exams). Furthermore, as part of your obligation to uphold the Honor Code, you should report any condition that facilitates academic misconduct to appropriate personnel. It is your individual responsibility to know and comply with all university policies and procedures regarding academic integrity and the Student Honor Code. Violations of the Honor Code at the University of Florida will not be tolerated. Violations will be reported to the Dean of Students Office for consideration of disciplinary action. For more information regarding the Student Honor Code, please see: http://www.dso.ufl.edu/sccr/process/student-conduct-honor-code.