What's New (as of May 24, 2005): 

1.  The Final Exam has been graded.  The mean score was 28 points out of 35 possible; the highest score was 34 points.  Exams may be picked up from my secretary, Ms. Martin, in B&H 341.

2. Course grades have been sent to the Registrar.  You may look up your grade on-line at the Registrar's web page.  Click on "View Your Grades / Registration."

     COURSE DESCRIPTION

Material covered:  Hydrogen atom, spin, addition of angular momenta, tensor operators, the Wigner-Eckart theorem, perturbation theory, scattering theory, second quantization, atoms and molecules, the Dirac equation, and quantization of the electromagnetic field.

Prerequisites:  Physics 205, or the permission of the instructor, Prof. Marston.

The course will emphasize two areas: (1) Key tools of quantum mechanics, including an introduction to many-particle systems and relativistic quantum mechanics.  (2) A pragmatic approach to quantum mechanics.  Students are often reluctant to calculate real, actual, numbers.  We will strive to overcome this reluctance by working with real numbers during the lectures, and in homework problems.  The use of proper dimensional analysis and the "reasonableness criteria"will be required for all problems that call for it.

Class meets:  in Barus & Holley 163 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00 to 10:50 am.

Required Texts:
    G. Baym, "Lectures on Quantum Mechanics."
    R. Shankar, "Principles of Quantum Mechanics" (2nd Edition).

Homework:  About 1 set every 2 weeks.

Course grader:  Kam Tuen Law

Tests and Exams:  Two midterm tests plus a final exam.  The final exam will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2005, from 9:00 am to noon, in Barus & Holley 159.  

Grading scheme:
        Classroom Participation ................................... 10%
        Homework ..................................................... 15%
        Midterms ....................................... 2 x 20% = 40%
        Final Exam ..................................................... 35%.
        -------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total ..............................................................100%
 

• Reading and Homework Assignments
• Homework Solutions
• Exams and Solutions
• Additional Optional Reading and References
• Polar Plots of Low Spherical Harmonics

e-mail Prof. Brad Marston: marston@physics.brown.edu
Prof. Marston's telephone extension: x32061
Prof. Marston's Office Hours: Thursdays and Fridays from 2:00 to 3:00 pm in B&H 339. (Please note that office hours are when you are guaranteed to find me in my office, available to provide help.  Feel free to drop by at other times if you seek assistance.  I'll let you know if I'm available.)
Prof. Marston's Web Page