| Unit name | Quantum Mechanics |
|---|---|
| Unit code | MATH35500 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Schubert |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
Either MATH20101 Ordinary Differential Equations 2 or MATH20402 Applied Partial Differential Equations 2 |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Mathematics |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
Lecturer: Roman Schubert
Unit Aims
The aim of the unit is to provide mathematics students with a thorough introduction to nonrelativistic quantum mechanics, with emphasis on the mathematical structure of the theory. Additionally, in conjunction with other units, it should provide suitably able and inclined students with the necessary background for further study and research at the postgraduate level. Two relevant research fields, namely quantum chaos and quantum information theory are at present strongly represented in the Mathematics Department and in the Science Faculty as a whole.
Unit Description
Quantum mechanics forms the foundation of 20th century and present-day physics, and most contemporary disciplines, including atomic and molecular physics, condensed matter physics, high-energy physics, quantum optics and quantum information theory, depend essentially upon it. Quantum mechanics is also the source and inspiration for various fields in mathematical physics and pure mathematics.
Relation to Other Units
This unit cannot be taken by students who have taken or are taking relevant physics units at either Level 5 or Level 6. For mathematics students, it is a prerequisite for the Level M unit Quantum Chaos and a useful preparation for the Level M unit Quantum Information Theory.
Learning Objectives
At the end of the unit the student should:
Transferable Skills
Expressing physical axioms mathematically and analysing their consequences.
The unit will be taught through a combination of
90% Timed, open-book examination 10% Coursework
Raw scores on the examinations will be determined according to the marking scheme written on the examination paper. The marking scheme, indicating the maximum score per question, is a guide to the relative weighting of the questions. Raw scores are moderated as described in the Undergraduate Handbook.
If you fail this unit and are required to resit, reassessment is by a written examination in the August/September Resit and Supplementary exam period.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. MATH35500).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
