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PH3061 Quantum Mechanics 1

Academic year

2026 to 2027 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

10

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 9

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

09:00

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr A Kohnle

Dr A Kohnle
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module introduces the main features of quantum mechanics. The syllabus includes: the emergence of the Schr枚dinger equation, the interpretation of the wave function and Heisenberg's uncertainty relation. The concepts of eigenfunctions and eigenvalues. Simple one-dimensional problems including potential wells and the harmonic oscillator. Solution of the Schr枚dinger equation for central forces, the radial Schr枚dinger equation, and the hydrogen atom.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS PH2012 AND PASS MT2501 AND PASS MT2503

Co-requisites

YOU MUST ALSO TAKE PH3081 OR TAKE PH3082 OR ( PASS MT2506 AND PASS MT2507 )

Assessment pattern

2-hour Written Examination = 80%, Coursework = 20%

Re-assessment

Oral Re-assessment, capped at grade 7

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2 x 1hr lectures x 10 weeks, 1hr tutorial x 4 weeks

Scheduled learning hours

24

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

76

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Solve the Schr枚dinger equation for a number of bound state systems in one, two, and three dimensions to find the corresponding energy eigenfunctions and energy eigenvalues.
  • Solve the Schr枚dinger equation for a free particle, and use the solutions to generate wave packets in position and momentum space.
  • Be able to construct the expansion in energy eigenfunctions of a given superposition state.
  • Be able to determine whether or not a given operator is Hermitian
  • Determine expectation values, probabilities for measurement outcomes and quantum uncertainties for various observables.
  • Use the ladder operator formalism for the harmonic oscillator to determine wave functions and expectation values.

Additional information from school

For guidance on AS and PH modules please consult the School Handbook at /physics-astronomy/students/ug/timetables-handbooks/