PHYS411-26S1 (C) Semester One 2026

Advanced Quantum Mechanics

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 16 February 2026
End Date: Sunday, 21 June 2026
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 1 March 2026
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 10 May 2026

Description

Advanced Quantum Mechanics

Learning Outcomes

  • The aim of this course is to provide a thorough understanding of non-relativistic quantum mechanics, with an emphasis on Dirac notation, time evolution, angular momentum theory, time-dependent perturbation theory and creation and annihilation operator techniques.

    Students will be able to:
  • Manipulate expressions using Dirac’s notation.
  • Calculate the time-evolution of simple quantum systems.
  • Perform calculations using angular-momentum techniques, including the Wigner-Eckart theorem.
  • Be able to explain the concept of quantum entanglement and how it might be used for quantum information applications.  
  • Calculate transition rates using time-dependent perturbation theory.
  • (Probably not covered this year, but material will be available for those who are interested: Apply to use second-quantization techniques to simplify calculations involving systems of many fermions and/or bosons.)

Prerequisites

Subject to approval of the Head of Department

Timetable 2026

Students must attend one activity from each section.

Lecture A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Monday 09:00 - 10:00 Jack Erskine 445
16 Feb - 29 Mar
20 Apr - 31 May
Lecture B
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Wednesday 11:00 - 12:00 Jack Erskine 445
16 Feb - 29 Mar
20 Apr - 31 May
Lecture C
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Thursday 11:00 - 12:00 Jack Erskine 446
16 Feb - 29 Mar
20 Apr - 31 May

Course Coordinator / Lecturer

Mike Reid

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage 
Final Exam 65%
Four Homework Assignments 15%
Test at the start of Term 2 20%

Textbooks / Resources

Recommended Reading

J.J. Sakurai, Jim Napolitano; Modern Quantum Mechanics, ; 2nd ed; Addison-Wesley, 2011 ((I think that it is a very good book and worth owning.)).

Additional Course Outline Information

Academic integrity

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $1,286.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see School of Physical & Chemical Sciences on the departments and faculties page .

All PHYS411 Occurrences

  • PHYS411-26S1 (C) Semester One 2026