Mastering Quantum Mechanics Part 1: Wave Mechanics - Massachusetts Institute of Technology

edX

Course

Online

Free

Description

  • Type

    Course

  • Methodology

    Online

  • Start date

    Different dates available

Learn the foundations of quantum mechanics, including wave mechanics, spin one-half states, linear algebra and bra-ket notation of Dirac.

Facilities

Location

Start date

Online

Start date

Different dates availableEnrolment now open

About this course

Some knowledge of wave mechanics at the level of an introductory undergraduate course

Proficiency in calculus and some knowledge of linear algebra

Questions & Answers

Add your question

Our advisors and other users will be able to reply to you

Who would you like to address this question to?

Fill in your details to get a reply

We will only publish your name and question

Reviews

This centre's achievements

2017

All courses are up to date

The average rating is higher than 3.7

More than 50 reviews in the last 12 months

This centre has featured on Emagister for 8 years

Subjects

  • Mechanics
  • Quantum Mechanics
  • Wave Mechanics
  • Dirac
  • Algebra

Course programme

This physics course offers a sophisticated view of quantum mechanics and its proper mathematical foundation. In this first module of three you will review the basics of wave mechanics and be introduced to the variational principle. You will learn about the technology of spin one-half states and spin operators and get an in-depth look into linear algebra to establish the mathematical foundation necessary to do quantum mechanics. This course concludes by developing the bra-ket notation of Dirac. To follow this course you will need some basic familiarity with quantum mechanics. You must have seen the Schrödinger equation and studied its solutions for the square well potential, the harmonic oscillator, and the hydrogen atom. You must be proficient in calculus and have some knowledge of linear algebra. Completing the 3-part Mastering Quantum Mechanics series will give you the necessary foundation to pursue advanced study or research at the graduate level in areas related to quantum mechanics. Part 1: Wave Mechanics, Part 2: Quantum Dynamics Part 3: Entanglement, and Angular Momentum. The series will follow MIT’s on campus 8.05, the second semester of the three-course sequence on undergraduate quantum mechanics, and will be equally rigorous. 8.05 is a signature course in MIT's physics program and a keystone in the education of physics majors. Learner Testimonial “I’ve thought long and hard to come up with a better MOOC than this one (I’ve completed 25 of these things over the past 2 years) and can’t do it. 8.05x is #1 and I suspect will stay that way for some time to come.” “Being an engineering student from India trying to shift to Physics, I am often faced with the requirement to study topics on my own. Very often this has led me to feel inadequate. 8.05x was the perfect opportunity for me to both gain knowledge and evaluate my understanding on a high quality international platform. It has really exceeded my expectations. Now, at the end of fifteen weeks, I feel more confident and hopefully I am more knowledgeable.”

What you'll learn
  • Basics of Wave Mechanics
  • Simple Applications of The Variational Principle
  • Spin one-half and Spin Operators
  • Linear Algebra
  • Bra-ket notation

Additional information

Barton Zwiebach Barton Zwiebach is a Professor of Physics at MIT. His specialty is String Theory and Theoretical Particle Physics. His central contributions have been in the area of String Field Theory, where he did the early work on the construction of open string field theory and then developed the field theory of closed strings. Zwiebach has also made important contributions to the subject of D-branes with exceptional symmetry, the subject of tachyon condensation, and T-duality. 

Mastering Quantum Mechanics Part 1: Wave Mechanics - Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Free