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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2013/2014
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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Physics and Astronomy : Undergraduate (School of Physics and Astronomy)

Undergraduate Course: Quantum Physics (PHYS10043)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Physics and Astronomy CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Course typeStandard AvailabilityAvailable to all students
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) Credits10
Home subject areaUndergraduate (School of Physics and Astronomy) Other subject areaNone
Course website http://www2.ph.ed.ac.uk/teaching/course-notes/notes/list/82 Taught in Gaelic?No
Course descriptionIn 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.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Students MUST have passed: Physical Mathematics (PHYS09015)
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements At least 80 credit points accrued in courses of SCQF Level 9 or 10 drawn from Schedule Q.
Additional Costs None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus?Yes
Course Delivery Information
Delivery period: 2013/14 Semester 1, Available to all students (SV1) Learn enabled:  Yes Quota:  None
Web Timetable Web Timetable
Class Delivery Information Workshop/tutorial sessions, Wednesdays 9:00-11:00, JCMB 3218 and 3317 from Week 2.
Course Start Date 16/09/2013
Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 100 ( Lecture Hours 22, Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 20, Summative Assessment Hours 2, Revision Session Hours 4, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 50 )
Additional Notes
Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) Written Exam 100 %, Coursework 0 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours & Minutes
Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May)2:00
Delivery period: 2013/14 Semester 1, Part-year visiting students only (VV1) Learn enabled:  No Quota:  None
Web Timetable Web Timetable
Class Delivery Information Workshop/tutorial sessions, Wednesdays 9:00-11:00, JCMB 3218 and 3317 from Week 2.
Course Start Date 16/09/2013
Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 100 ( Lecture Hours 22, Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 20, Summative Assessment Hours 2, Revision Session Hours 4, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 50 )
Additional Notes
Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) Written Exam 100 %, Coursework 0 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours & Minutes
Main Exam Diet S1 (December)2:00
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.
Assessment Information
Degree Examination, 100%
Visiting Student Variant Assessment
Degree Examination, 100%
Special Arrangements
None
Additional Information
Academic description Not entered
Syllabus * Non-degenerate Perturbation Theory
* Degenerate Perturbation Theory
* Time dependent perturbations. Fermi Golden Rule
* Two state system. Neutrinos and kaons
* Variational Principle
* Covalent bond, H_2+ ion
* Identical particles, exchange interaction
* Density functional theory
* Scattering, Born approximation
* Scattering, Partial waves
* Relativistic QM, Dirac equation in brief
* Entanglement, Bell's theorem
Transferable skills Not entered
Reading list Not entered
Study Abroad Not entered
Study Pattern Not entered
KeywordsQuaPh
Contacts
Course organiserProf Arjun Berera
Tel: (0131 6)50 5246
Email: ab@ph.ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Paula Wilkie
Tel: (0131) 668 8403
Email: Paula.Wilkie@ed.ac.uk
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