Syllabus of Quantum Mechanics I

Phys3143 - Fall 2015

Contact Information

Ignacio Taboada
Office: N-116 Howey Building
Phone: (404) 385-7679
Email: itaboada _at_ gatech _dot_ edu

Text

Text: A modern approach to Quantum Mechanics. 2nd Edition. John. S. Townsend ISBN 978-1-891389-78-8.

Objectives

This course provides instruction on Quantum Mechanics. The course assumes good previous knowledge of introductory physics, modern physics, calculus and differential equations.

Tests and Grading

The quizzes will last 80 minutes and will cover the material presented since the previous test. The final exam will cover all the material studied in the course. It will last 2 hours 50 minutes and will be scheduled according to institute policy

Grading Scale: 90 - 100 = A; 80 - 89 = B; 70 - 79 = C; 60 - 69 = D; 0 - 59 = F. For those taking the course pass/fail, a C or better is considered passing.

Homework grading

Each homework will consist of several problems. Each problem will be graded from 0 to 10, and each homework will be rescaled to a value from 0 to 10. Here's my criteria for grading: Minor error -10%. One major error -30%. Two major errors -60%. Better than nothing -80%. Irrelevant answer or no answer -100%. I reserved the authority to deviate from this criteria as the situation merits.

I will not accept late HW. If you have a legitimate reason for not submitting the HW in time, e.g. you are ill, please give me supporting documentation. In case of a legitimate reason for not submitting a HW, the final grade will ignore this missing HW. 

Do not put HW in my mailbox or under my door. I will not count it as received.

Given the large size of the class, I will only grade two problems for each HW. These problems will be chosen at random before grading is done. HW grade will be based exclusively in these two problems.

In class activities

A few times during the semester, students will be asked to group in teams of 3-4. A problem will be given to each group. The solutions will be graded as:
0 points - No solution or irrelevant solution
1 points - Good effort, but significant fraction of the solution missing
2 points - Perfect or almost perfect solution. 

Each team member will assign a grade to the other team members. In principle, the grading by the instructor will be the same to every member of the group. But, the instructor can deviate from this, if student grading indicates an issue. 

At the end of the course, class activity grades will be averaged and scaled to 5% of the course grade. 

Office Hours

To be decided. You can also email me to set up an appointment to meet me at other times.

Course Policy

This course will be taught by conventional lecture methods. Lectures will not necessarily cover all of the material on which the student will be tested. The student is responsible for the material indicated by the instructor.

A few classes will include activities in which the students group in teams of 3-4 people and work on a problem together. 

Attendance: Each student should be aware of the regulations that are listed in the student handbook. The class attendance policy, which the Georgia Tech regulations say shall be at the discretion of the instructor, will be as follows: There will be no prescribed maximum number of unexcused absences for this class. However, if it is apparent that lack of attendance at class may be impairing a student's performance in the course, the instructor may require that the student not miss more classes, under the penalty of failing the course.

Problems: Physics is based on math and physics; physics is a problem-solving subject, so to be able to apply the principles of physics, you should work as many problems as possible. Some problems will be turned in for grading. Solutions to the suggested problems will be made available to you after the problems have been turned in. If you have difficulty with problems, ask about them in class and pay attention to the method used by the instructor in solving them. Unless explicitly indicated by the instructor, you should not use Mathematica or other symbolic mathemical software to present the solution to you homework. Your homework should contain enough information to show that you understand what is being asked.

Homeworks are always due on a class day. Homeworks will not be accepted after the class has begun.

If you miss a test, contact me by telephone or email as soon as possible so that arrangements can be made to take the test prior to the next lecture. If you know in advance of a conflict, the test can usually be given prior to the scheduled time. If you miss a test for a valid reason (i.e., you were too ill to take the test, had a serious family illness, etc.), then you must submit a written statement from the Dean of Students, with supporting documentation, as to the cause of the absence to the instructor on the first day you return to class. If the reason is acceptable, your grade will be determined at the instructors discretion. If you do not submit an acceptable excuse for missing a test, you will receive a 0 for that test. If you miss two tests for any reason whatsoever, you must initiate a conference with the instructor. Failure to do so will result in a 0 for the second test regardless of the reason for the absence. Regulations regarding cheating and general classroom dishonesty will be strictly enforced.

Unexpected Problems: If a snow and/or ice storm (or any other cause for the Institute to close) occurs on a day scheduled for a test, the test will be given on the first day that the class resumes. Check the web pages for information.