This syllabus is subject to update; any changes made will be announced to the class. Students are responsible for knowing the contents of the latest version of this syllabus! (The most common changes are adjustments of office hours or due dates.)
The main textbook will be Modern Quantum Mechanics by J.J. Sakurai, which I will follow loosely for most of the material we will cover. (Don’t confuse this book with Advanced Quantum Mechanics!)
Other recommended textbooks which you may find helpful as references are:
Some homework assignments will involve numerical calculations, for which you should make sure you have access to a copy of Mathematica. CU has a site license which makes Mathematica available for no cost to all CU students: http://sitelic.colorado.edu/mathematica/.
All homework assignments will be posted on the Canvas page, located at http://canvas.colorado.edu.
Homework will be due on Wednesdays by the end of the day. Completed homework can be left in Prof. Neil’s mailbox at the front office, handed in before or after lecture, or submitted by e-mail to the address above. However you choose to submit your homework, it is your responsibility to make sure it is turned in on-time and that I can read it!
No late homework will be accepted. However, your lowest homework grade will be automatically dropped from your average score. This rule may be waived at Prof. Neil’s discretion in extraordinary circumstances (a documented extended absence, for example.)
You are encouraged to collaborate on the homework assignments - collaboration and communication are both important parts of modern science. However, if you work with other students on an assignment, please make sure that all collaborators’ names are clearly printed on your submission at the top. You must turn in your own personal write-up for each assignment! The only exception is for problems which require Mathematica, in which case you may submit a copy of a jointly written Mathematica notebook.
Make sure to explain your solutions in detail and step-by-step. Partial credit will be given for incorrect answers, but the graders can only give you credit for what you write down!
Official CU final exam policy is here: http://www.colorado.edu/policies/final-examination-policy
Exams will be closed-book, but you may bring two handwritten 8 1⁄2” x 11” pieces of paper with you to each exam, containing whatever formulas and other information you think might be helpful. Calculators and other electronic devices will not be permitted (you won’t need them.)
If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit your accommodation letter from Disability Services to your faculty member in a timely manner so that your needs can be addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities in the academic environment. Information on requesting accommodations is located on the Disability Services website. Contact Disability Services at 303-492-8671 or dsinfo@colorado.edu for further assistance. If you have a temporary medical condition or injury, see Temporary Medical Conditions under the Students tab on the Disability Services website.
Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to deal reasonably and fairly with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance. Please contact Professor Neil if you find yourself in such a conflict. See full details at this page.
Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Those who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation or political philosophy. Class rosters are provided to the instructor with the student’s legal name. I will gladly honor your request to address you by an alternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise me of this preference early in the semester so that I may make appropriate changes to my records. For more information, see the policies on classroom behavior and the Student Code of Conduct.
The University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) is committed to fostering a positive and welcoming learning, working, and living environment. CU Boulder will not tolerate acts of sexual misconduct (including sexual assault, exploitation, harassment, dating or domestic violence, and stalking), discrimination, and harassment by members of our community. Individuals who believe they have been subject to misconduct or retaliatory actions for reporting a concern should contact the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC) at 303-492-2127 or cureport@colorado.edu. Information about the OIEC, university policies, anonymous reporting, and the campus resources can be found on the OIEC website.
Please know that faculty and instructors have a responsibility to inform OIEC when made aware of incidents of sexual misconduct, discrimination, harassment and/or related retaliation, to ensure that individuals impacted receive information about options for reporting and support resources.
All students enrolled in a University of Colorado Boulder course are responsible for knowing and adhering to the Honor Code. Violations of the policy may include: plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, lying, bribery, threat, unauthorized access to academic materials, clicker fraud, submitting the same or similar work in more than one course without permission from all course instructors involved, and aiding academic dishonesty. All incidents of academic misconduct will be reported to the Honor Code (honor@colorado.edu); 303-492-5550). Students who are found responsible for violating the academic integrity policy will be subject to nonacademic sanctions from the Honor Code as well as academic sanctions from the faculty member. Additional information regarding the Honor Code academic integrity policy can be found at the Honor Code Office website.