French, and Taylor. Introduction to Quantum Physics. Norton.
Liboff. Introductory Quantum Mechanics. 4th ed. Addison Wesley.
Gasiorowicz. Quantum Physics. 2nd ed. Wiley.
Eisberg, and Resnick. Quantum Physics of Atoms, Molecules, Solids, Nuclei, and Particles. Wiley.
In order to register for 8.04, students must have previously completed
8.03 Physics III (or 6.014) and 18.03 Differential Equations (or 18.034) with a grade of C or higher. Exceptions to this policy will require the explicit permission of the Professor. Students requesting an exception or having any question about their background should talk to the Professor before the end of the first week of classes.
The weekly
problem sets are an essential part of the course. Working through these problems is crucial to understanding the material deeply. After attempting each problem by yourself, we encourage you to discuss the problems with the teaching staff and with each other--this is an excellent way to learn physics!
However, you must write-up your solutions by yourself. Your solutions should not be transcriptions or reproductions of someone else's work, or of a 'bible' from a previous year.
Problem sets will generally be assigned on Thursdays, and will be due on the following Thursday by 4:00 PM. Completed assignments should be placed in the bin for your recitation section. Please clearly mark your recitation section on the top of your assignment, and please staple your pages together. Graded assignments will be returned in the following week in recitation. Unclaimed graded assignments will be available from your recitation instructor. Problem set solutions will be posted on the web the morning following the due date.
For practical, not punitive reasons, late homework will not be graded. For conflicts that are known in advance, such as religious holidays or travel, arrangements should be made to turn in problem sets before the deadline. For unforeseen circumstances such as illness or emergencies, the lecturer or recitation instructor, at their discretion, may delete one problem set from the calculation of the homework grade. Requests for re-grading of homework or exam problems must be made within 7 days after the assignment/exam is handed back in recitation.
There will be two in-class
exams. There will also be a comprehensive Final Exam, scheduled by the Registrar and held during the Final Exam Period.
The final grade for the course will be based on the following:
- Exam 1: 20%
- Exam 2: 20%
- Final exam: 35%
- Problem sets: 25%
Note that the course is not graded on any predetermined curve. If the class as a whole shows exceptional mastery of Quantum Mechanics, the grades will be exceptionally high. Since we use absolute rather than relative standards, it is impossible for a student to lower his or her grade by helping other classmates understand the material. The faculty may adjust final grades to reflect improvement, effort, and other qualitative measures of performance.