syllabus

PHY 361
SYLLABUS

Prof. Bowick - Fall 2007

General Information	Grading Policy
Textbook	Course Schedule
Homework	Homework Assignments
Exams & Quizzes	Lecture Highlights
Physics Clinic

Welcome to PHY361!

This course is primarily an introduction to quantum mechanics, the foundation and explanatory framework of much of modern physics. We will learn some of the history and motivation of quantum theory, and study ways in which "classical" laws must be modified - or even replaced - in order to account for the behavior of atoms, subatomic particles, and even matter at the macroscopic level. While learning the essential topics of quantum mechanics, you will also find out about a number of topics that are the subject of current research, where quantum physics plays a crucial role. These include Bose-Einstein condensation, lasers, scanning tunneling microscope, high-temperature superconductivity, flux quantization and Josephson junctions.

General Information

Professor: Mark Bowick
Office: 317 Physics Building
Phone: 443-5979
E-mail: bowick@physics.syr.edu.
Office Hour: Tuesday, 1-2pm, or any time by appointment.
Please bring your notes and textbook to any office hour discussion. I enjoy talking to students and am eager to get feedback from them on the course. Please drop by during my office hour, see me before or after the lecture, or send me email to make an appointment.

Administrative Help: If you need handouts or other information, try the Undergraduate Office, Room 111 of the Physics Building during regular office hours. All assignments and most handouts can also be downloaded from the course web page. The undergraduate secretary can help you with registering, dropping or withdrawing, missing grades, etc..

Textbook

The textbook is Modern Physics, 3rd edition, by Stephen T. Thornton and Andrew Rex, from Thomson ( 2006). The text is available at the SU Bookstore. This is the primary textbook and the source of most of the homework problems.

A few other recommended texts are listed below. I will refer to them from time to time during the semester. They will be on reserve in the Physics Library.

Feynman, Leighton and Sands, The Feynman Lectures on Physics, volume III, Addison-Wesley. This is the third of a wonderful series of introductory physics books. Highly recommended. Somewhat higher level than Krane, but great reading. A must for all interested in physics.
P. Tipler, Modern Physics. Comparable to Krane, perhaps slightly higher level and a few more details.
R. Harris,Nonclassical Physics: Beyond Newton's view . Comparable to Krane, with a bit more math and some very nice sections on contemporary developments.
A.P. French and E.F. Taylor, An Introduction to Quantum Physics. Higher level than Krane, but may be useful for reference. Excellent book.

Here are also a couple of recommendations for general reading on modern developments in physics.
These books are written in non-technical style and are intended for general audiences.

B.S. Chandrasekhar, Why Things are the Way They Are. A very interesting book on recent developments in the area of material properties. We will cover in class some of the topics described here, e.g., superconductivity.
S. Weinberg, The First Three Minutes: A Modern View of the Origin of the Universe. An enjoyable and fascinating introduction to modern cosmology.
B. Green, The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory. An excellent overview of very recent developments in string theory.
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Homework

Problem sets are an essential part of this class. The homework is extremely important. The assignments are designed to help you master the most important points of each topic. You are encouraged to discuss the homework with other students and generally to pester anybody you can to get help in understanding the text, the lectures, and the problems. You should, however, always generate your final homework solutions by yourself. If you have specific questions for me, I suggest you email me as I check my email frequently.

One problem set will be assigned every week, usually on Tuesdays. It will be due by 5pm of the following Tuesday. Late homework will not be accepted. You can hand in the homework to me at the end of class or put it in my mailbox in the main Physics Department office before 5pm.

Exams & Quizzes

Short (10-15 minute) written quizzes will be given almost weekly. The dates and topic of the quizzes will be announced in class about one week before the quiz. The main purpose of the quiz is to allow both me and you to assess your understanding of the material. They will also serve as practice for the exams. There are no makeup quizzes.

There will be two midterm examinations and one final examination in this course.

The midterm exams are tentatively scheduled for Thursday, October 4, and Thursday, November 8, during class time. If you have a problem with these dates, please let me know within the first week of classes.

The final exam is scheduled for Thursday December 13, 12:30-2:30pm. This exam will cover the material of the entire course.

Like the quizzes, the exams are based on the homework and the material covered in the lectures. The best way to prepare for exams is to do all the homework carefully and to attend lectures in an active way, interrupting the lecturer with questions often. When studying the material and working on the homework you should also continually ask yourself questions like Why?... and What if?....

Grading Policy

The final grade for this course will be determined as follows

homework: 25%

quizzes:10%

midterm examinations: 20% each

final exam: 25%

Note that your grade will not based on any curve. It is possible for every student in the class to get an `A'.

Honesty: You will be required to sign a pledge not to give or receive unauthorized assistance on the quizzes or exams. You are, however, encouraged to get all the help you can from friends, instructors, relatives or strangers on the homework.

Physics Clinic:

Rm. 113, Physics Building.

Technically speaking, the clinic is not part of PHY361 per se. It is designed to provide help for all of our physics courses. You may go to any TA in the clinic at any time. Consult the clinic schedule (also posted outside the clinic) for your favorite TA. You are encouraged to visit the clinic if you have trouble with the homework or have any questions. In the past, some students have used the clinic as a free tutoring service, spending many hours there. This is an excellent idea! The performance of those students improved dramatically during the course of the semester, on the exams as well as on homework.