Physics 406

Fall Quarter 2006

Course Syllabus

 

Instructor:      Robert Echols, rechols@calpoly.edu, 756-2656, www.calpoly.edu/~rechols

 

Office Hours:    M, T, W, & F 10:10-11:00 a.m. in my office, 52-E36, and T 1:10-2:00 p.m. in the Learning Center, 52-A03

 

Schedule:          M, W, and F 4:10-5:00 p.m. in 52-E47

 

Textbook:       R. L. Liboff, Introductory Quantum Mechanics, 4th Edition 

 

Additional References:  H. C. Ohanian, Principles of Quantum Mechanics.

                                    D. Park, Introduction To The Quantum Theory.

                                    D. S. Saxon, Elementary Quantum Mechanics.

                                    P. A. M. Dirac, The Principles of Quantum Mechanics.

                                    Morse and Feshbach, Methods of Theoretical Physics, Vol. 1,2

 

Tentative Course Outline:

In physics 406 we will be covering the material in parts of chapter 7 (wave packet scattering, WKB approximation, Feynman path integral), most all of chapters 11 (matrix mechanics and spin wavefunctions) and 13 (pertubation theory). With any remaining time, we will focus on selected topics not covered by your oral projects.

 

Oral Projects:

Working in groups of two, you will present a quantum mechanics topic to the rest of class during the quarter’s final week. You may choose from a topic touched on in class that you want to understand more deeply, a topic in the text that we will not have time to cover, or a topic not covered in the text (e.g. the recent detection of a single electron spin inside a glass slab). Partner and preliminary topic selection due Monday Nov. 13, final topic selection due Monday Nov. 20, and detailed outline due Monday Nov. 27. Presentations will begin on Wednesday Dec. 6.

 

Homework:

As you know working physics problems is critical to understanding the material.  I encourage you to discuss solutions of problems with each other and myself but I expect that the homework you hand in to be individually prepared. In fact, I strongly recommend reworking a problem by yourself (if you did obtain assistance from me or another student) without looking at any previous work you have completed (or the text) to make sure every aspect of the problem is understood.

 

Exams and Quizzes:

We will be having one exam and a comprehensive final exam.

 

Grading:

Your final grade will be based on your overall performance in the class with the following approximate percentages:  exam (20/25%), homework (20%), oral project (20/25%) and the final exam (40-30%).