Quantum Mechanics II -- Physics 501 -- Spring 2020

Lecturer: W. Unruh.
Tel: 604 7365745
Email:

Teaching Assistant: Fan Yang

Phone:
Email:

Web Site: www.theory.physics.ubc.ca/501-current
(For Assignments, Solutions, extra notes, this blurb, etc.)

Text:There is no "official" text book. The course will consist of the lectures and reading which I will post.

Course Times: Lectures MW 12:30-2:00 by Zoom. Zoom id


Course components: (The mark distributions are approximate) I have not made the above mark distribution definite as I want freedom to be able to adjust marks to take into account happenstances of the year.

I expect everyone to pass, although offer no guarantees.

Purpose of the Course

The purpose of the course is to study some advanced topics In Quantum mechanics. These will include topics in the interpretation of Quantum Mechanics, Quantum Field theory, and time dependent perturbation theory, the meaning of particles, Black hole evaporation, particle detectors and other topics to be decided on later.

Copying, Plagiarism, etc

As you should know by now, copying and plagiarism are frowned up very strongly by the university. I also get upset. I am perfectly fine with you working together on the assignment but everyone should make sure that they write up the solutions separately. Simply copying your friends assignment can land you in very hot water-- i.e., do not do it. Working together on the exams (Mid Term or final) is not acceptable.
Similarly, plagiarism is also not to be done. This includes using an essay you have already used for another course, copying other people's essays, buying essays off the web or elsewhere, having someone else write your essay for you, using material from the web or elsewhere without properly referencing it, etc.
The Calendar has an extensive section on Academic misconduct.
Plagiarism and Citation described and
Discipline for Academic Misconduct and especially
Calendar entry on Academic Misconduct
Please read them. Violation of these rules can lead to disciplinary actions, ranging from a mark of 0 on the assignment/essay, failure of the course, or expulsion from the university.

I do not pass essays through TurnItIn because I feel that their appropriation of your work to further they own commercial interests without permission or compensation makes my using it hypocritical. I do however have a fair knowledge of the material on the web and in books, and have often been able to identify when people have simply copied something. If I am very suspicious of a paragraph or so from your essay, I might submit it on its own to TurnItIn without any reference to you or the context of the larger essay.

Statement re Course content,Covid, and foreign laws

During this pandemic, the shift to online learning has greatly altered teaching and studying at UBC, including changes to health and safety considerations. Keep in mind that some UBC courses might cover topics that are censored or considered illegal by non-Canadian governments. This may include, but is not limited to, human rights, representative government, defamation, obscenity, gender or sexuality, and historical or current geopolitical controversies. If you are a student living abroad, you will be subject to the laws of your local jurisdiction, and your local authorities might limit your access to course material or take punitive action against you. UBC is strongly committed to academic freedom, but has no control over foreign authorities (please visit http://www.calendar.ubc.ca/vancouver/index.cfm?tree=3,33,86,0 for an articulation of the values of the University conveyed in the Senate Statement on Academic Freedom). Thus, we recognize that students will have legitimate reason to exercise caution in studying certain subjects. If you have concerns regarding your personal situation, consider postponing taking a course with manifest risks, until you are back on campus or reach out to your academic advisor to find substitute courses. For further information and support, please visit: http://academic.ubc.ca/support- resources/freedom-expression Note that I do not expect that the material of this course is considered controvertial by any any government, but I do not know that. You will have to come to a decision re that for yourself.

Copyright William Unruh 2021