U01422: Quantum Physics
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Course Code U01422
Course Name Quantum Physics
'Owning' School School of Physics
College College of Science and Engineering
School Acronym Prefix PHY
Normal Year Taken 4 - Year 4 Undergraduate
School Acronym Suffix QuantPh
School Acronym for Course PHY-4-QuantPh
Session Course Operational with effect from 2004/2005
Session Course (to be) Closed or Withdrawn (end of)
Course(s) Replaced
Code
PH0044 Quantum Physics (Honours)
Course Level Undergraduate
Honours Yes
Visiting Students Only? No
Visiting Students Parent Course
Available for Visiting Students? Yes
Display in Visiting Students Prospectus? Yes
Course FTE 120
Credit Points 10
Credit Scheme Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework
Credit Level 10 - SCQF Level 10
'Home' Subject Area
Code Description Sched Code School
58 Undergraduate (School of Physics) Q Physics
'Other' Subject Area(s)
Course Organiser T0109 Prof Graeme Ackland
Course Secretary T3673 Mrs Linda Grieve
Collaborating Institution
Collaborating School
Additional Information on Collaboration
Contact Teaching (if 0 then refer to Additional Information on Scheduled Class Sessions below) 2 hrs 0 mins per week, 11 weeks
Other Required Attendance
Programme(s) for which course to be seeded
Code Prog MoS Code YoS Mand Sessyr From Sessyr To
S0351 BSC(H) Chemical Physics FTFY 4 Y 2004/2005
S0364 MCP Chemical Physics FTFY 4 Y 2004/2005
S0793 BSC(H) Mathematical Physics FTFY 4 Y 2004/2005
S0802 MPY Astrophysics FTFY 4 Y 2004/2005
S0803 MPY Computational Physics FTFY 4 Y 2004/2005
S0804 MPY Mathematical Physics FTFY 4 Y 2004/2005
S0805 MPY Physics FTFY 4 Y 2004/2005
Any costs which have to be met by students
Pre-requisite Requirements At least 40 credit points accrued in courses of SCQF Level 9 or 10 drawn from Schedule Q, including Physical Mathematics (PHY-3-PhMath) or equivalent.
Visiting Students Pre-requisite Requirements
Co-requisite Requirements
Prohibited Combination Requirements
Short Description In this course we study techniques used in the practical applications of quantum mechanics. We begin with a review of the basic ideas of quantum mechanics, including various representations, and fundamental symmetries including bosons and fermions. We then develop time-independent perturbation theory and consider its extension to degenerate systems. The variational principle is introduced, and extended to find self-consistent states of identical particles and the Hellmann-Feynman theorem relating classical and quantum forces. We then study time-dependent perturbation theory, obtain Fermi's Golden Rule, and look at radiative transitions and selection rules. We will also examine two-particle states, Bell's theorem and entanglement. Subsequently we study scattering in the Born Approximation.
Keywords
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of this course it is intended that a student will be able to:
1)state and explain the basic postulates of quantum mechanics
2)understand the ideas of compatible and incompatible observables and explain the concept of good quantum numbers
3)define and apply matrix representations of spin operators
4)derive the effects of a time-independent perturbation on the energy eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of a quantum system and apply the results to a range of physical problems
5)discuss the fine structure of Hydrogen
6)explain the Rayleigh-Ritz variational method and demonstrate its use for bounding the energy of various systems
7)understand the concept of a transition probability and apply perturbation theory to time-dependent problems
8)discuss the interaction of radiation with quantum systems and explain the concept of selection rules
9) describe two particle interactions of bosons and fermions, explain the Born approximation and bound states for simple central potentials.
10) understand the Einstein-Podulsky-Rosen "paradox" and the concept of non-locality.
Special Arrangements
URL - Internet (i.e. available to all) https://www2.ph.ed.ac.uk/~gja/qp4/
URL - Intranet (i.e. restricted to .ed domain)
URL for supporting approval documentation https://www.ph.ed.ac.uk/admin/internal/tmg/CPDATA/tosbosfinal.pdf
Fee Code if invoiced at course level
Default Course Mode of Study CE - Classes and Assessment (including centrally arranged examination)
Default Delivery Period S1 - Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)
Class Sessions
Day Start - End Time Type Zone Elective Groups  
Mo 1000 - 1050 Lect KB  
Th 1000 - 1050 Lect KB  
Additional (to Class Sessions above) Information on Scheduled Class Sessions Workshop/tutorial sessions, Wednesdays 9:00-11:00, JCMB 3218 and 3317 from Week 2.
Alternative Examination Slot
Components of Assessment Degree Examination, 100%
Summative Exams
Diet Diet Month Paper Code Paper Name Duration
Hrs/Mins
Stat'y
Req
Comments
1ST 5 1 - 2 0 12 sides
Month Assessment Result Due (1st Diet) June
Month Assessment Result Due (2nd Diet) n/a
Convener of BoE 8089 Prof Murray D Campbell
Common Marking Scheme VERS2 - Version 2 (excl MBChB and BVM&S)
Taught in Gaidhlig? N
%age taught in Gaidhlig
Included in Teaching Load Calculations? Yes
Teaching Load Split
CodeSubject UnitPortion of CreditsJACS Subject Area
SU259 Institute for Physics 10 F342 Quantum Mechanics
Other institution providing teaching
Percentage not taught by this institution
Course Comments (Internal Use Only)  
School's Own Use 1 Recommended texts:

(1) F Mandl, 'Quantum Mechanics'' Wiley;
(2) D J Griffiths, 'Introduction to Quantum Mechanics', Prentice Hall;
(3) B H Bransden C J Joachain, 'Quantum Mechanics', Prentice Hall;
(4) R Liboff, Introductory Quantum Mechanics, Addison Wesley.
(5) D Park Introduction to the Quantum Theory, McGraw Hill
School's Own Use 2  
School's Own Use 3