Physics 410 Quantum Mechanics Fall 2010

MWF 10-10:50 am , room P-149

Instructor: Dr. Calvin Johnson

Office: P-135

Phone: 594-1284

e-mail: cjohnson@sciences.sdsu.edu

Office hours: M 11- 12, W 12 -1, Tu 2-3 pm note: I am generally available in my office, and am happy to schedule appointments if you want to be sure to find me.

Class Web Page: www.physics.sdsu.edu/~johnson/phys410

Text (required): Introduction to Quantum Mechanics, David J. Griffiths, second edition

Grading:

90%= A, 87%=A-, 83%=B+, 80%= B, 77%=B-, 73%=C+, 70%=C, 67% C- ,

63%=D+, 60%=D, 57%=D-, 50%=F.

Quizzes 10%

Homework 35%

2 in-class tests 15% each

Final exam 25%

* There will be weekly homework. You will learn quantum mechanics by doing the homework. QM requires a mastery of technical mathematics skills and the only way to learn these skills is through practice. In other words, expect several hours of homework a week. You may work together, but avoid copying answers; you won't really understand it and your colleague might be wrong. Homework is due at the beginning of class on the date due. Late homework will be docked 50%

* Quizzes are 10 minutes in length and mostly conceptual. I may ask, for example, for you to write down the Schrodinger equation, or perhaps sketch the harmonic oscillator ground state wavefunction. They are unannounced and are closed books, closed notes. I will give 12 quizzes, roughly one a week, and drop two of them automatically. Quizzes cannot be made up.

* There will be two in-class tests. The tentative dates are Friday, October 1, 2010, and Friday, November 5, 2010. Tests are open book, open notes, but calculators of any kind are not allowed.

NB: Monday, September 6, 2010 (Labor Day) and Monday November 11, 2010 (Veteran's Day) are holidays. Thanksgiving too. Campus is closed. Last day of class is Friday, Dec 10, 2010

* The final exam is FRIDAY, December 17 2010, 8:00 am - 10:00 am in P-149. It will be comprehensive, open book and open notes, but calculators are not allowed.