EP 228 Quantum Mechanics (Spring 2017-18)

Instructor Name: Kumar Rao

Course Type: Theory

Pre-requisites: PH 107

Course Content: Revision to linear algebra, Fourier transform and vector spaces, Stern Gerlach experiments, Operators in x and p representation, Uncertainty Principle, Simple Harmonics oscillator, Angular Momentum, Schrodinger and Heisenberg Pictures, Symmetry Translation, Hydrogen Atom.

Other topics covered:

Books: Introduction to Quantum Mechanics by David Griffiths, Principles of Quantum Mechanics by R. Shankar, Modern Quantum Mechanics by JJ. Sakurai, Principles of Quantum Mechanics by P.A.M. Dirac

Lectures: No on paper attendance but the prof would ask if you had not been attending classes, mostly slides are enough with the in-between-the-lines mathematics done on the black board; the lectures were through and consistent and it was easy to follow if you got used to the prof

Assignments:Though the prof kept a tutor, he would occasionally take the tutorials himself or would take a class during the tutorial hours.

We were required to submit an assignment say once every 3 weeks. He was strict about the time of collection.
The assignments made you think but they weren't very difficult as they were related to course content.

Exams and Grading:Exam grading were in general tough. Grading wasn't particularly pleasant as well.

Pattern was pretty standard - There were 2 quizzes, 1 midterm and 1 end-term. Weightage was as per the usual.

Online material:The books and the lectures are sufficient to get a good grade. Do solve questions from the references that he suggests as he picks a lot of them up from the book itself.

Follow-up Courses:This is as basic as it gets in QM. Well, take QM II (they will make you take it anyway). Sky is the limit from here.

Pro-tips: Solve the questions from griffths for the first quiz. last year's papers are very important as well. Attend lectures, give up hoga but if you go half of the work is done there.

Personal Comments:

Respondent: Ananay Garg