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MOTION:
That ARCC recommend to the Arts and Science Executive the addition of
PHYS 3006 Introdcution to Quantum Physics
A) Descriptive Data:
Course Code
PHYS 3006
Course Title
Introduction to quantum physics
Course Prerequisite
PHYS 2006, PHYS 2007, MATH 1046, MATH 2076
Course Corequisite
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Antirequisite
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Total Hours
 36 hours  72 hours  Other
Breakdown of Hours
Three hours of lecture per week for one term
 Other
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Course Credits
 3 credits  6 credits  Other
Course Description
(Restricted to 50-75 words,
present tense and active voice)
This is an introductory course in Quantum Physics. In this course, we
briefly discuss the difficulties arising from the "old physics" and the
historical development which led to a crisis in classical physics, and
finally to the quantum revolution. We then develop the basic
mathematical and conceptual tools to describe wave properties of
matter including electron wave, particle properties of electromagnetic
radiation, uncertainty principle, the properties of atoms and radiation
from atoms, operators and eigenvalue equations, the Schroedinger
Equation in one dimension, quantum mechanics of the hydrogen atom,
angular momentum and spin, quantum mechanics of many electron
systems, and basic ideas of electrons in solids and solid state physics.
Course Grouping or Stream
Does this course belong to a Group or Stream?
 No  Yes
Program Implications
Physics stream in the Science & Tecnology program
Does this course have program implications?
 No  Yes
Cross-Listing or Cross-Coding
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Physics stream in the Science & Tecnology program
 Cross-Listed - this course may be credited towards
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 Cross-Coded - this course is cross-coded with
Learning Expectations/
Outputs
(6-8 points, visible, measurable
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Successful graduates of this course will:
1. Demonstrate understanding of the subatomic and nanoscale
structures
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(
and in active voice)
2. Identify the kinds of experimental results which are incompatible
with classical physics and which required the development of a
quantum theory of matter and light
3. Interpret the wave function and apply operators to it to obtain
information about a particle's physical properties such as position,
momentum and energy
4. Solve the Schroedinger equation to obtain wave functions for some
basic, physically important types of potential in one dimension, and
estimate the shape of the wave function based on the shape of the
potential
5. Understand the role of uncertainty in quantum physics, and use the
commutation relations of operators to determine whether or not two
physical properties can be simultaneously measured
6. Apply the technique of separation of variables to solve problems in
more than one dimension and to understand the role of degeneracy
in the occurrence of electron shell structure in atoms.
7. Relate the matrix formalism to the use of basis states, and solve
simple problems in that formalism.
B) Statement of Need:
Department of Computer Science and Mathematics is planning to introduce a physics stream within the
Science and Technology program. As a required course in this program we would like to offer “An
introduction to quantum physics” course. This course is one of the essentials in physics and is intended to
give students the knowledge of how to interpret numerous experimental observations in subatomic and
nano-scales that could not be explained using classical physics concepts. This course is designed to
provide the students with some insight into the fundamental changes in thinking which were required in
order to develop the quantum theory, provide the student with an introduction to the theory itself and
develop the analytical methods needed to work out quantum physics problems.
C) Statement of Resources:
We plan to offer the quantum physics course every second year, on a cycled basis. No additional
resources will be required to offer this course.
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