Role within programme and connections to other courses. The need for and qualities of quantum mechanics have been clearly established in Quantum Physics. This course begins to put quantum mechanics on a formal footing. The approach in QM I is expected to include both wave and matrix techniques.
Content. Mathematical structure of quantum mechanics, Hilbert space, operator algebra; postulates of quantum mechanics, symmetries and conservations; quantum dynamics; general theory of angular momentum, coupling of angular momenta, irreducible tensor operators, Wigner-Eckart theorem; analytical solution of the hydrogen atom; identical particles: spin and statistics, the Pauli exclusion principle and many electron atoms.
Prerequisites: PHYS 2351, PHYS 2312, approved second year mathematics.
Co-requisite: PHYS 3331.