PHY 1500 - The Quantum World

Credits: 4

An introduction to quantum mechanics that develops the insights and seemingly paradoxical consequences that follow from an examination of groundbreaking experiments such as: Einstein’s “photoelectric effect”, Planck’s solution to the “ultraviolet catastrophe”, “spooky action at a distance” experiments that changed our view of causality (the mechanisms responsible for cause and effect), and others. Although minimal mathematical preparation is required the topics are covered with rigor so that deep and challenging investigations into some of today’s most important and hotly debated topics in physics can be undertaken. Topics include; probability and wavefunctions, the standard model of particle physics, atomic structure, quantum computing and particle entanglement, among others.
Prerequisite(s): MTH 1000 or equivalent (High School Algebra/Geometry or Math Placement score 9 or better, part I)