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Module

PHY3020 : Advanced Quantum Mechanics

  • Offered for Year: 2023/24
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Thomas Billam
  • Owning School: Mathematics, Statistics and Physics
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 5.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

To present the formal structure of quantum mechanics, encapsulating material at previous stages in a number of operator postulates.

To develop a number of approximation methods in quantum mechanics including the variational principle and perturbation theory.

To explore the application of these approximation methods across a range of physical systems.

To present simple approaches to treat systems with more than one particle in quantum mechanics.

Outline Of Syllabus

Formal structure of quantum mechanics: quantum-mechanical postulates, Hermitian operators, measurement in quantum mechanics, time evolution & Ehrenfest’s theorem

Many particle systems: particle density operator; interacting and non-interacting systems; identical particles & exchange symmetry; bosons, fermions and spin;

Approximation Methods: the variational principle; Rayleigh-Ritz method; time independent perturbation theory; time dependent perturbation theory; Fermi’s golden rule.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion371:0037:00Completion of in course assignments/ examination revision
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture221:0022:00Formal Lectures and Problems Classes
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study411:0041:00Preparation time for lectures, background reading, coursework review
Total100:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures are used for the delivery of theory and explanation of methods, illustrated with examples, and for giving general feedback on marked work. Some in-person sessions will be used for problem solving.

The teaching methods are appropriate to allow students to develop a wide range of skills, from understanding basic concepts and facts to higher-order thinking.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written Examination1201A80N/A
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Prob solv exercises1M5Problem-solving exercises assessment
Prob solv exercises1M5Problem-solving exercises assessment
Prob solv exercises1M5Problem-solving exercises assessment
Prob solv exercises1M5Problem-solving exercises assessment
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

A substantial formal unseen examination is appropriate for the assessment of the material in this module. The format of the examination will enable students to reliably demonstrate their own knowledge, understanding and application of learning outcomes. The assurance of academic integrity forms a necessary part of programme accreditation.

Examination problems may require a synthesis of concepts and strategies from different sections, while they may have more than one ways for solution. The examination time allows the students to test different strategies, work out examples and gather evidence for deciding on an effective strategy, while carefully articulating their ideas and explicitly citing the theory they are using.

The problem solving aspects of the assessment enable students to demonstrate that they are able to apply this understanding and their analysis and synthesis skills to novel situations. Problems are set and assessed during the module to enhance the understanding of the material and nurture the progressive acquisition of skills in solving illustrative problems.

Reading Lists

Timetable