Natural Science 0283 - Basic Physics=quantum Mech

A first course of college physics with labs for scientists and engineers (and for serious philosophers), this class takes quantum mechanics as its content. Using two-state systems including electron spin and photon polarization, we develop the actual quantum theory in its matrix mechanics form. That theory underlies our current understanding of atoms, particles, and virtually all physical processes. It is fundamental to the modern physics behind nuclear applications, electronic devices and lasers. Our course content is relevant to quantum teleportation, computation and information AND it has important philosophical consequences as well. Quantum mechanics underlies all chemistry and molecular processes, including biology. The math we use is serious and taught within the syllabus, especially using linear algebra, complex numbers and trigonometry, but we need only a minimum of calculus. This course has three themes: quantitative approximations to interesting phenomena; formal use of mathematics to describe observations; the philosophical and cultural significance of interpretations of physical theory. In effect students confront material exactly as modern physicists confront Nature: you must work cooperatively because impossible puzzles have to be converted into problems. Problems of difficulty ranging from "almost too easy" to "OMG hard" must then be solved. Despite knowing principles and theoretical frameworks, having participated in their development, only gradually does the meaning emerge from the mathematical manipulations. (The meaning is quite personal, yours may not be identical to the professor's, or that of expert popularizers, or of your peers.)

Quantitative Skills In this course students are generally expected to spend at least 6 to 8 hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time.