PHYS 4401 Quantum Physics II
Second semester of the PHYS4407-4408 sequence, focusing on applications. Topics covered include: treatment of the many-particle systems, including effects of spin and symmetry of the wave function; many-electron atoms and the periodic table; basic elements of quantum statistics; approximation techniques, including non-degenerate and degenerate perturbation theory and the variational principle; time-dependent perturbation theory and the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with matter.
Course overview
- Department
- Physics
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Offered
- Every Spring
Requirements fulfilled
- Applied Physics B.S.: At least two of the following Advanced Physics Courses (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Mathematics B.S.: Natural science, computer science, or economics corequisites (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Physics B.S.: Required Physics Courses (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.54 / 5 · Excellent
- Instructor rating
- 4.55 / 5 · Excellent
- Terms evaluated
- 5
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | Xiao Chen | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.9 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 7–9 hrs/week | 7 of 9 |
| Spring 2025 | Xiao Chen | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.4 | — | 10 of 14 |
| Spring 2024 | Xiao Chen | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.4 | 4–6 hrs/week | 12 of 15 |
| Spring 2023 | Xiao Chen | 4.4 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.3 | 4.3 | — | 8 of 8 |
| Spring 2022 | Fazel Tafti | 4.7 | 4.9 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 7–9 hrs/week | 7 of 11 |