Course Syllabus
Introduction to Quantum Mechanics-- 29:141


Instructor:

  Paul Kleiber
312 VAN
335-1841
paul-kleiber@uiowa.edu

Office Hours:

  M, F: 12:30-2:00 pm
And by appointment

Lecture:
 

  11:30 - 12:20 pm, MWF
Van Allen Hall: VAN 301

Required Texts: Reading Schedule



Additional References on Reserve

  Introduction to Quantum Mechanics, 2nd Edition
David Griffiths
Prentice Hall, New York, 2005
 

My lecture notes will be available on-line through the Physics Library web site
Quantum Mechanics
; Amit Goswami
Quantum Physics; Stephen Gasiorowicz
Quantum Physics; Rolf Winter
Quantum Mechanics: Vols. I & II; Claude Cohen-Tannoudji 

Course Description:

  This two semester course covers quantum mechanics at the advanced undergraduate level. The goal is for students to develop an understanding of the essential elements of quantum physics and to be able to apply quantum mechanical methods to solve problems from a variety of areas of physics. Specific topics include: quantum wavefunctions and operators, solutions to the Schroedinger Equation in 1- and 3-dimensions, identical particles, perturbation theory, atomic structure, radiative transitions, and scattering theory.

Exams

  There will be 2 in-class midterm exams, and a final exam. All exams are closed book, but a formula sheet with selected formulas and constants is allowed for each exam. Make-up exams will be given only for absences for verifiable medical reasons or official University activities. You must inform me beforehand if you will be missing an exam.

Homework

  Homework will be assigned weekly. Assigned problems will be announced in class and posted on the course web page. Homework grades will constitute 25% of the total final course grade. To be successful in this course it is essential that you do the homework. Doing problems is the most effective way to learn the material. Students are encouraged to work together on homework assignments. Student collaboration helps in understanding and makes the whole learning process more enjoyable. However, the consortia should consist of no more than 2 or 3 individuals. When working in a group, please be sure that each and every member of the group is "tracking" the solutions. Helping others is a very effective way to improve your own understanding. If you are having difficulty with the homework, please see me for help. (Not only is it my job, I enjoy it!)

 

Grading:

  Homework............................= 25%
2 Midterm Exams (25% ea)...= 50% 
Final exam.............................= 25%
Total.....................................= 100%

Expectations:

  For this course students should expect to spend a minimum of 2 hours/week of preparation time outside of class (reading, studying, working problems), for each registered semester hour. For this class that translates into a minimum of 6 hours/week of outside preparation. This is a rough guideline; the amount of time you need to spend may be quite different.

Students With Disabilities: Anyone who has a disability that may require some modification of seating, testing, or other class requirements should contact me so that we can make suitable arrangements. Contact me after class or during my office hours. For further details please consult the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Student Academic Handbook (CLAS Handbook), or contact the Office of Student Disabilities Services at 335-1462.

Student Complaints: Any complaints about the Instructor should first be taken to the Instructor. If the complaint is not resolved to the satisfaction of the student, he or she should contact the Department Associate Chair (Professor Mary Hall Reno) or Chair (Professor Thomas Boggess). They can be contacted through the Secretary in the Physics Department General Office, VAN 203. Additional details are described in the CLAS Handbook or in the current Schedule of Courses.

University Policy on Plagarism and Cheating: Plagarism and/or cheating will not be tolerated. The Instructor will notify the student in writing soon after any incident. The Instructor will then decide, in consultation with the DEO whether to reduce the grade on the assignment/exam, the grade for the course, or give an F for the course. More details on the University Policy can be found in the CLAS Handbook.

Student Rights and Responsibilities: The following is excerpted from the CLAS Handbook. "All students in the college have specific rights and responsibilities. You have the right to adjudication of any complaints you have about the classroom activities or instructor actions. Information on these procedures is available in the Schedule of Courses and on-line in the College's Student Academic Handbook. You also have the right to expect a classroom environment that enables you to learn, including modifications if you have a disability." "Your responsibilities to this class and to your education as a whole include attendance and participation. You are also expected to be honest and honorable in your fulfillment of assignments and in test-taking situations. You have a responsibility to the rest of the class, and to the instructor, to help create a classroom environment where all may learn. At the most basic level, this means that you will respect the other members of the class and the instructor, and treat them with the courtesy you hope to receive in turn."


29:140 Tentative Exam Schedule

Hour Exam 1 - Friday, March 2; Chaps. 4 & 5

Hour Exam 2 - Friday, April 27; Chaps. 6, 7, & 9

Final Exam - Thursday, May 10, 7:30 a.m.; Comprehensive




29:140: Tentative Reading Schedule

Week   Reading Assignment
1: Jan. 15   Sect. 4.4
2: Jan. 22   Sect. 4.4
3: Jan. 29   Sect. 4.4 & Sect. 5.1
4: Feb. 5   Sect. 5.2 - 5.3
5: Feb. 12   Sect. 5.3 & Sect. 6.1
6: Feb. 19   Sect. 6.1 -6.2
7: Feb. 26   Sect. 6.3 - 6.5
8: Mar. 5   Sect. 6.3 - 6.5
9: Mar. 19   Sect. 7.1 - 7.3
10: Mar. 26   Sect. 9.1 -9.2
11: Apr. 2   Sect. 9.3
12: Apr. 9   Sect. 9.3 & 10.1
13: Apr. 16   Sect. 10.1 & Sect. 11.1
14: Apr. 23   Sect. 11.2-11.3
15: Apr. 30   Sect. 11.4 & Chap. 12


29:140 Homework Problems

(Homework solutions available on the course ICON site)

Due Date  
Problems
_____________________________________________
1: Fri. Jan. 26  
Text Problems Chap. 4 #(26a, 32, 49) and 3 additional problems assigned in class
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2: Fri. Feb 2  

Text Problems Chap. 4 #(35, 36, 55) + 3 additional problems assigned in class.

Note: This is a "beast" of a homework assignment.....
Don't wait too long to get started!
_____________________________________________

3: Fri. Feb 9   Text Problems Chap. 5 #(4, 5, 32) + 2 additional problems assigned in class. See ICON site.
_____________________________________________
4: Fri. Feb 16   Text Problems Chap. 5 #(10, 33) + 3 additional problems assigned in class. See ICON site.
_____________________________________________
5: Fri. Feb. 23  

Text Chapter 5 # ( 15, 16, 17, 34, 35 ), and one of the following two problems: # (19 or 36(a)).

[Incidentally, once you have done problems 35 and 36(a), the remainder of #5.36 is also very easy, and interesting.]
_____________________________________________

6: Fri. Mar. 9   Text Chapter 6 #( 1, 2, 4, 8, 9, 30)
_____________________________________________
7: Fri. Mar. 23  

Text Chapter 6 #( 14, 18, 29, 38 ) + 1 addtional problem assigned in class. (See ICON site.)
_____________________________________________

8: Fri. Mar. 30  

Text Chapter 6 #( 37 ), Chapter 7 #( 1, 3, 4 ) + 1 addtional problem assigned in class. (See ICON site.)

_____________________________________________

9: Fri. Apr. 6  

Text Chapter 7 # ( 7, 13 ) + 1 additional problem assigned in class. (See ICON site.)
_____________________________________________

10: Fri. Apr. 13

 
Text Chapter 9 # (8 , 14) + 3 addtional problems assigned in class. (See ICON site.)
_____________________________________________
11: Fri. May 4   Text Chapter 11 # (5, 8, 10, 13 a & b) + 2 additional problems assigned in class. (See ICON site.)
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