Syllabus

Text: Modern Quantum Mechanics (Revised Edition), by J. Sakurai

Goals: After completing this course you should (1) have a working knowledge of the foundations, techniques and key results of quantum mechanics; (2) be able to comprehend basic quantum mechanical applications at the research level, e.g., in research articles; (3) be able to competently explain/teach these topics to others; (4) be able to teach yourself any other related quantum mechanics material as you need it.

Miscellaneous information:

• This semester we will survey the foundations of the subject, basic techniques for its application to the real world, and a number of standard examples. We will be covering material from Chapters 1-5 in the text more or less in sequence, and with some omissions. More specialized, advanced, and applied topics normally appear in a sequel to this course. If there is time, we will try some topics from later chapters. Don't worry. I always say that. It never happens.
• The design of this course is based upon the assumption that you have already had a previous (undergraduate) course in quantum mechanics. Therefore I assume you have been exposed to the historical origins of the subject, the elements of wave mechanics along with its interpretation and elementary applications of it.
• My teaching strategy is based upon the fact that you can read the book as well as I can. My lectures will not just be a version of the text. Rather, the text should be your principal reference which, along with my lectures and lecture notes, allows you to solve the various problems you are assigned.
• There will be a number of problem sets. Your primary goal in this course is to solve these problems using material given in the lectures and in the text, additional references, collaboration with your colleagues, etc. In many ways, you are learning how to do research as you work on the assigned problems. I cannot over-emphasize the importance of problem solving experience to the learning of quantum mechanics (or any other subject in physics, for that matter). Your grade will be determined by how well you do in this homework.