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PX3511: QUANTUM MECHANICS (2021-2022)

Last modified: 31 May 2022 13:05


Course Overview

The course aims to provide the students with the underpinning knowledge that will enable them to think constructively about phenomena that relate to the quantum structure of matter. It is intended that the students will gain a broad appreciation of the hierarchy of interactions that give rise to the energy levels of atoms and the consequent structure of the associated spectroscopic transitions. In comparison to the previous years more emphasis will be put on the general, mathematical structure of quantum theory, tackling topics such as Hilbert spaces and time independent perturbation theory.





Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 3
Session Second Sub Session Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Ekkehard Ullner

Qualification Prerequisites

  • Either Programme Level 3 or Programme Level 4

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

  • PX3509 Quantum Atomic and Molecular Physics (Studied)

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

The content reflects the learning outcomes of the course:

General ideas:

  • Operators, eigenstates, eigenvalues.
  • The TDSE and the TISE.
  • The statistical interpretation of the wavefunction.
  • Superposition.
  • Expectation value of a dynamical variable.
  • Solutions of the TISESquare wells.
  • Barriers.
  • 1-D SHO.
  • Hydrogen atom.
  • Electron wave functions for the H atom.
  • The quantum numbers n, m.
  • Spherical harmonics.
  • Radial probability densities.
  • Spin states.
  • The intrinsic spin of the electron.
  • Perturbation theory.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

1st Attempt

Tutorial Sheets (25%)

3x Online Tests (25% each)

Alternative Resit Arrangements

Continuous assessment results (tutorial sheets) will be carried over. If one failed class test caused an overall fail, a resit for that test will be provided. If two or more class tests are below pass, a single resit class test covering the entire lecture material will be provided. The time limit of three hours reflects the larger work load of a combined test.

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualRememberILO’s for this course are available in the course guide.

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