American University of Beirut Physics Department
PHYS 305
Quantum Mechanics
3.0; 3 cr.
Course Policy
1. Course Description and Learning Outcomes
a. Course Description
Hilbert space formulation of quantum mechanics, theory of angular momentum, Euler
rotation, addition of angular momenta; symmetries and conservation laws: time reversal,
parity, discrete symmetry, path-integral formulation of quantum mechanics,
approximation methods, identical particles, elementary scattering theory.
b. Intended Learning Outcomes
c. Contents
1. Foundations of Quantum Mechanics: Mathematics of vector and Hilbert space, norms,
completeness, probabilities, commutators, operators and physical observables, eigenvalues
and measurement theory, Dirac notation.
2. Quantum dynamics and symmetries: Time-evolution, Schrödinger and Heisenberg
pictures, Unitary and anti-unitary operators, conservation laws.
3. Spin and Angular Momentum: Rotations, central potentials, Spherical harmonics,
hydrogen atom, Angular momenta algebra and representation, raising and lowering
operators, spin matrices, Pauli matrices, addition of angular momenta, Clebsch-Gordon
coefficients, spin-statistics, bosons and fermions.
4. Quantum mechanics and Electromagnetism: Gauge invariance, Dirac magnetic
monopoles, Landau Energy levels, the Aharanov-Bohm effect.
5. Approximation methods: Degenerate and non-degenerate perturbation theory, Zeeman
and Stark effects, the variational method, time-dependent perturbation theory, interaction
picture and Dyson series, and applications.
d. Resources Available to Students
- Lectures on quantum mechanics, Steven Weinberg.
- Modern Quantum Mechanics, Sakurai.
- Quantum Mechanics , vol. I and II, by C. Cohen-Tannoudji, B. Diu, and F. Laloë.
- The principles of quantum mechanics, Paul Dirac,
- The Feynman lectures on physics, R.P. Feynman, R.B. Leighton, and M. Sands,
Vol. 3.
- E. Merzbacher, Quantum Mechanics.
- A. Messiah, Quantum Mechanics.
- L.D. Landau and E.M. Lifshitz, Quantum Mechanics, Non-Relativistic Theory, Vol. 3
of Course of Theoretical Physics.
2. Attendance and Class Discipline
Attendance: The attendance of this course is mandatory.
Cheating: Any student caught cheating or attempting to cheat during an exam will be
dismissed on the spot and will receive a grade of zero on the corresponding exam. Any case
of plagiarism in the research report will be also considered as an act of cheating and a grade
of zero will be given to the student on the corresponding research report. Cheating cases will
also be reported to the Students Affairs Committee for further disciplinary action, which
could result in the student being given a failing grade in the course and a Dean’s warning as
well as the possibility of being dismissed from the University.
Class discipline: No eating, drinking, smoking or use of mobile phones is permitted during
class time. The instructor reserves the right to dismiss, from class, any student acting in a
manner that is considered disruptive or counter-productive to the teaching/learning process in
the classroom.
3. Homework: To be assigned by the professor
4. Quizzes and Final grade: To be assigned by the professor
5. Office hours: To be assigned by the professor
