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. Muller |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
Either MATH20101 Ordinary Differential Equations 2 or MATH20402 Applied Partial Differential Equations 2 |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | School of Mathematics |
Faculty | Faculty of Science |
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.
General Description of the Unit
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.
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.
Relation to Other Units
This unit cannot be taken by students who have taken or are taking relevant physics units at either level 2 or level 3. 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.
Additional unit information can be found at http://www.maths.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergrad/current_units/index.html
Learning Objectives
At the end of the unit the student should:
understand the quantum mechanical description of angular momentum and spin
Transferable Skills
Expressing physical axioms mathematically and analysing their consequences.
Lectures, problem sheets.
100% Examinations.
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.
Reading and references are available at http://www.maths.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergrad/current_units/index.html