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Welcome to Physics 486: Quantum Physics I!

General Overview

This is the first part of a two part series on the foundations of quantum physics. Stated simply, quantum mechanics describes physics on atomic and subatomic scales, although the theory penatrates more deeply into our understanding of Nature. Enjoy the journey ahead.

I encourage you to ask questions without worrying about whether or not you sound intelligent. I don't promise to have all the answers.

The instruction for this course will begin at 9:30 am on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 in 190 Engineering Sciences Building (ESB). The complete schedule (subject to change) can be found here.

Syllabus

The syllabus can be found here.

Texts

Required

  • Griffiths, Introduction to Quantum Mechanics 2nd Edition

Suggested Supplemental Reading

Online access

You can access the gradebook here. Students enrolled in (and staff associated with) the course must log in using their UIUC NetID and their NetID password. If you are enrolled in the course and are having trouble logging in, send email to Rebecca Wiltfong You should always log out of the secure server at the end of your work session.

Lectures

Lectures will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30-10:50 am in 190 ESB. Lecture notes will be posted after each lecture at the course website. You will be able to access the lecture notes through the course schedule page. You should read the relevant sections in the text book before class. These sections are listed in the course schedule page. Coming to class with this preparation will greatly enhance your understanding of the material.

Discussion

Discussion sessions are on Thursdays and each of you should sign up for a discussion section. The primary focus will be to work on problems related to the week's material. Attendance of one of the discussion sections is required, and participation in the discussion section comprises ~10% of your grade. Solutions to Discussion problems will be posted on the course schedule page

Homework

Homework is an essential part of this course and comprises ~25% of your course grade. The homework to be done will generally be handed out at the end of the each Tuesday lecture. I will collect your solutions at the beginning of lecture typically one week later. Please check the course schedule page for full details. Alternatively, you may place your completed homework in the in the 486 box in the 2nd floor corridor of Loomis-MRL.

Any homework not handed in at the beginning of the lecture or in the box immediately after the lecture on the day it is due will be marked late. Late work will be marked down by 15% each day that it is late and will not be graded if it is more than one week late.

I don't object to people working on the homework problems together as long as the work that you hand in for grading is your own. I strongly recommend that you thoroughly struggle with the problems yourself first. You'll learn more this way and you'll do far better on the exams when you're on your own. Trust me on this one.

You will be able to access the homework materials through the course schedule page in case you do not get them in the lecture.

Exams

There will be a midterm exam and a final exam. The final exam will be cummulative but more heavily-weighted toward new material after the midterm exam. Dates will be announced. Please check the course calendar for full details.

Office hours

Office hours are on Tuesdays during the following times and in the following locations:

  • Mark Neubauer: Fridays 1:45 - 2:45 pm in 411 Loomis
  • Kevin Roberts: Mondays 12:30 - 1:30 pm in TA Commons
  • Po-Yao Chang: Mondays 1:30 - 2:30 pm in TA Commons
  • Chang-Tse Hsieh: Mondays 2:30 - 3:30 pm in TA Commons

Grading

Your course grade will be based on your discussion (~10%), homework (~25%), midterm exam (~25%) and final exam (~40%).

Academic Integrity

The giving of assistance to or receiving of assistance from another person, or the use of unauthorized materials during University Examinations can be grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion from the University.

Please be aware that prior to or during an examination the instructional staff may wish to rearrange the student seating. Such action does not mean that anyone is suspected of inappropriate behavior.

Unless a problem explicitly states otherwise, you are not to use any calculating devices or symbolic manipulation tools in any of your work. No calculators, no computers, no slide rules. And no use of electronic search tools to find material relating to solutions to problems you are working. I will only permit paper and pen, and information you can find in textbooks and reference works such as calculus texts or tables of integrals and special functions. You are on your honor to hold to this.