58勛圖

PH3062 Quantum Mechanics 2

Academic year

2026 to 2027 Semester 2

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.

Module description

This module explores more of the key concepts of quantum mechanics, assuming a knowledge of the material in PH3061. The syllabus includes time-independent and time-dependent perturbation theory, including the treatment of degenerate states. The course includes a matrix description of spin, the Bloch sphere representation of spin, systems of interacting spins, and the quantum mechanics of a system of identical particles, which leads to the distinction between fermions and bosons.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS PH3061 AND ( PASS PH3081 OR PASS PH3082 ) AND PASS PH2012 AND PASS MT2501 AND PASS MT2503

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 lectures and fortnightly tutorials.

Scheduled learning hours

26

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

Guided independent study hours

74

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

Intended learning outcomes

  • translate between wave function, Dirac and matrix notation, and construct matrices representing operators.
  • describe spin experimentally and mathematically, and calculate eigenstates, measurement outcomes, probabilities and expectation values for spin systems. Be able to represent a spin 1/2 state on the Bloch sphere.
  • Use angular momentum ladder operators in calculations, including finding the energy eigenstates for two interacting spins.
  • For indistinguishable non-interacting fermions and bosons, state the symmetry requirements and be able to construct energy eigenfunctions from the single particle ones.
  • For systems similar to ones with exact solutions, be able to use time-independent perturbation theory to determine corrections to the energies and energy eigenfunctions, including finding the good basis for the degenerate case.
  • Using time-dependent perturbation theory, be able to determine transition probabilities and whether transitions are first-order allowed.

Additional information from school

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