PHYSICS 137A

Course Number: Physics 137A

Course Name: Quantum Mechanics

Unit: 4

Offered: FA/SP/SUM

Requirement Satisfied: CORE

Concentration(s): all

Summary: Introduction to the methods of quantum mechanics with applications to atomic, molecular, solid state, nuclear and elementary particle physics.

Official Prerequisites: Physics 7A, 7B, 7C

“Legit” Prerequisites: Physics 7A, 7B, 7C

Topics Covered: Physics 137A covers the fundamentals of quantum mechanics, starting with postulates and principles, and including topics like wavefunctions, operators, the Schrödinger equation, and the uncertainty principle. It also analyzes basic systems like the harmonic oscillator, angular momentum, and the hydrogen atom, before introducing concepts like spin and identical particles.

Workload: 3-4 hours of lecture per week, plus another 1-2 hours for discussion/office hours, and an estimated 8-15 hours of outside work per week

When to Take: Sophomore Spring

Usefulness for research/internships: It can be useful to add into our toolbox of knowledge - general, organic, and physical chemistry, which can be useful when looking for research or internships.

Added Comments or Tips: It is crucial to find a group of people to work on the problem set with. This class is even more intuition based than some of the ChemE classes.