PHYS 485 :: Physics Illinois :: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Course Description

Overview

Physics 485 is a one-semester exploration of the core concepts of the celebrated quantum theory, which underlies our modern understanding of the physical world. We have two major goals in this course:

To build a rigorous working knowledge of the fundamentals of quantum physics. To that end we will develop the conceptual and mathematical foundations (Schrodinger's equation, wavefunctions, spin, the approaches of Heisenberg and Feynman) and work through the classic exactly-solvable systems (particle in a box, simple harmonic oscillator, hydrogen atom).
To highlight the applications of quantum physics in a wide variety of practical fields in science and technology. Examples will be drawn from light and lasers; tunneling and STM; atomic structure and chemistry; MRI and quantum computation; the electrical properties of matter; astrophysical systems; superconductivity; the "green" energy transition; and more.

See the Schedule page for further details on planned topics.

Prerequisites for the course are MATH285 (differential equations) and PHYS214, or equivalent.

Course Team

Instructor: Prof. Jeff Filippini (jpf)
Teaching Assistants:
Kort Beck (kgr6)
Emily Waite (enwaite2)

Office Hours:
Tue 12, 279 Loomis (Kort Beck)
Thu 4, 276 Loomis (Emily Waite)
Fri 11, 405 Loomis (Prof. Filippini)

Course Components — Lectures

Lectures will be held in Loomis 158, 14:00-15:20 each Monday and Wednesday. I will use a mix of Powerpoint and blackboard work. PDF slides will be posted afterward.

In order to make this as fullfilling an experience for all of us, please participate! Be present, ask questions in class and in office hours, wrestle with quantum in discussion with your classmates. If you have a quantum question that's a little outside the syllabus, ask me — maybe we can start a discussion, or I can work it into a future lecture or homework.

Course Components — Assignments

The Schedule page gives you an overview of what to expect and when. There are four categories of assignments in this course:

Prelecture questions: 1-3 brief questions each week, submitted via Gradescope. These are a simple way to engage with the week's new concepts, and to encourage everyone to keep up with the reading and lectures.
Homework: 8 regular assignments, submitted via Gradescope. Release and due date are indicated on the Schedule and will also be mentioned in class, including any changes that may come up.
Midterm exam: This will cover the first half of the course, and will occur in-class. It is tentatively schedule for the week of October 14th.
Final exam: This will cover the entire course, and is tentatively scheduled for December 17th.

Depending on how the semester shapes up, we may have an extra credit assignment.

You are welcome to discuss the homework with your classmates, but all work must be your own. Plagiarism will not be tolerated, as per the campus student code.

Late Homework Policy: Late homework is accepted for partial credit. You will receive 80% of the points earned for an assignment submitted one day late, after than dropping 20% each subsequent day. Credit cannot be given after a solution set is posted.

All assignments are submitted via Gradescope, which can be accessed through the corresponding link at left. Some possibly useful links about Gradescope:

Equation Sheet:: Link

Course Grading

Course grading will be out of a total of 1000 points, divided as follows:

Homework: 50%
Participation Questions: 15%
Midterm: 15%
Final exam: 20%

Course grading will proceed in compliance with University policy, as given in Article 3, Part 1 of the Student Code.

Academic Integrity

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Student Code should also be considered as a part of this syllabus. All activities in this course, including documentation submitted for petition for an excused absence, are subject to the Academic Integrity rules as described in Article 1, Part 4, Academic Integrity, of the Student Code. Academic dishonesty may result in a failing grade. Do not hesitate to ask the instructor(s) if you are ever in doubt about what constitutes plagiarism, cheating, or any other breach of academic integrity.

Community Resources

Disability Accommodations

To obtain disability-related academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids, students with disabilities must contact the course instructor and the Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES) as soon as possible. To contact DRES you may visit 1207 S. Oak St., Champaign, call 217-333-1970 (V/TTY), or e-mail a message to disability@illinois.edu.

Mental Health Resources

The department has assembled a Mental Health Resources page, which links a variety of resources available to students.

Run > Hide > Fight

Emergencies can happen anywhere and at any time. It is important that we take a minute to prepare for a situation in which our safety or even our lives could depend on our ability to react quickly. For useful information, please see this handout from the UI Police.