PHYS 3316 — Basics of Quantum Mechanics
General Information
A modern approach to the introduction of quantum mechanics. Topics include: the breakdown of classical physics in the Stern-Gerlach experiment; the postulates of quantum mechanics; spin 1/2, state vectors, operators, and measurements; time evolution with the Schrodinger equation; spatial wavefunctions with particle in a box and the harmonic oscillator; tunnelling and scattering; angular momentum and the hydrogen atom; and the basics of quantum computation. At the level of "Quantum Mechanics: A Paradigms Approach" by McIntyre.
Full Cornell course description (FA26)
Credits: 4
Prerequisites and Enrollment
Prerequisites: PHYS 2214 or PHYS 2218; PHYS 1116 or PHYS 2216.
Corequisites: MATH 2940 or MATH 2210 or MATH 2230.
Recorded Offerings
| Semester | Listed instructors | Course details |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | Brad Ramshaw | Roster / syllabus |
| Spring 2026 | Xiaomeng Liu | Roster / syllabus |
Workload and General Advice
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Course information checked against Cornell’s Spring and Fall 2026 rosters on September 18, 2026. The listed semesters are verified examples, not a complete offering history.