Introductory Quantum Mechanics
- Textbook: Quantum Chemistry by Donald A. McQuarrie, University Science Books (2008); in addition to course notes and supplementary materials, which will be available to students in class.
This course is an introduction to quantum theory, which underlies all phenomena in the realm of chemistry. Beginning with the postulates and framework of the theory, we will focus on model problems that can be readily solved and introduce you to "thinking quantum." These simple models often lead to surprisingly quantitative understanding of atomic and molecular excitations observed in experiment. Topics include: vibrational spectroscopy, the hydrogen atom, variational methods, and aspects of chemical bonding.
Please remember that the Undergraduate Calendar is always the official source for all course descriptions.