PHYS 40113 - Quantum Mechanics Spring 2017

Lectures: TR 14:00-15:20 @ SWR 313

Instructor: Dr. Yuri M. Strzhemechny

Office: SWR 373

Phone: 817-257-5793

Email: Y.Strzhemechny@tcu.edu

Web: http://personal.tcu.edu/ystrzhemechn/

Office Hours: T 8:00-8:50 AM, F 4:00-6:00 PM & by appointment

Prerequisites: Prerequisites: PHYS 30493 and MATH 30524 or permission of instructor.

Required textbook: “Introduction to Quantum Mechanics, 2/E”, by David J. Griffiths, Cambridge University Press, ISBN: 9781107179868

Course Description: This is an introductory course dealing with the basic formalism of quantum mechanics and applications to non-relativistic atomic systems. The Schrödinger equation, operators, stationary states; quantum theory of angular momentum; the harmonic oscillator and the hydrogen atom; quantum spin formulation.

Grading: The course grades will be determined as follows:

A: 100 – 90 pts., B: 89.9 – 80 pts., C: 79.9 – 70 pts., D: 69.9 – 55 pts., F: 54.9 and below.

Oral presentations: 15 %

Test 1: 20 %

Test 2: 20 %

Test 3: 20 %

Final Exam: 25 %

Students will give oral presentations on selected topics which will be evaluated by the instructor. Final exam will be cumulative, but the emphasis will be given to the chapters not covered by the three tests. The tests and the final will contain conceptual questions and problems. Make-up tests will be provided to students having an Official University Absence. Students with valid reasons for missed tests (e.g. doctor's note) will have to contact the instructor regarding make-up tests as early as possible.

Homework: It is crucial for you to learn how to apply conceptual knowledge for problem solving. The textbook provides solid guidelines for you to acquire this skill. In addition, for each chapter, the instructor will supply a number of problems for your homework. It is in your best interest to solve those problems in a timely manner for several reasons. First, it will provide additional training in self-education. Second, homework problems will be related to those offered in the tests and in the final. If you are having difficulty solving the homework problems you may want to contact the instructor.

You will have an option of getting up to 10% of additional credit for an extracurricular research. Such assignments will be given on request from a pool of topics on a ‘lottery’ basis.

Academic Misconduct: I would like to remind you about policies and procedures regarding your rights as well as responsibilities that are published in the TCU Student Handbook. You may have a paper copy but it is also available on line at http://www.studenthandbook.tcu.edu/student_handbook.pdf. Specifically I would like you to review Section 3.4 regarding Academic misconduct, i.e. cheating, plagiarism, etc.

Disabilities statement: Texas Christian University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 regarding students with disabilities. Eligible students seeking accommodations should contact the Coordinator of Student Disabilities Services in the Center for Academic Services located in Sadler Hall, 1010. Accommodations are not retroactive, therefore, students should contact the Coordinator as soon as possible in the term for which they are seeking accommodations. Further information can be obtained from the Center for Academic Services, TCU Box 297710, Fort Worth, TX 76129, or at (817) 257-6567.

Adequate time must be allowed to arrange accommodations and accommodations are not retroactive; therefore, students should contact the Coordinator as soon as possible in the academic term for which they are seeking accommodations. Each eligible student is responsible for presenting relevant, verifiable, professional documentation and/or assessment reports to the Coordinator. Guidelines for documentation may be found at http://www.acs.tcu.edu/disability_documentation.asp.

Students with emergency medical information or needing special arrangements in case a building must be evacuated should discuss this information with their instructor/professor as soon as possible.