Topic outline

  • In general, there are two lectures each week, Mondays 14:15 - 16:00 and Tuesdays 10:15 - 12:00. 

    Besides actual lecturing, there will also be activities such as discussions, concept questions, and problem solving during the lectures. Do not expect to just come and listen, you will be put to work. Bring books, smart phones, laptops etc. to the lectures - you will need resources.

    Before each lecture you should study the book sections mentioned. This serves several purposes:

    • you can read, so it is a waste if the lectures are only book recitations.
    • as you study the basic concepts yourself, lecture time can be used for deepening the understanding and discussing more advanced topics.
    • reading at your own pace is often a better way to learn than listening to a lecture that proceeds too fast or too slowly.
    • regular studying promotes learning.
    • answering questions guide and motivate the self-study effort.
    • your answers to questions are seen during the lecture and misconceptions are discussed without delay.

    The suggested reading refers to the following book, and to the reading material supplied as PDF here below.

    Mansfield and O'Sullivan, Understanding Physics, 2nd edition, Wiley 2011 

    There are also some useful chapters in the following online, free, books:

    Bolton, J, Lambourne, R.  "The Quantum World: Wave Mechanics"

    Bolton, J, Mackintosh, R.  "The Quantum World:Quantum Mechanics And Its Interpretation"

    Bolton, J, Freake, S. (Eds.)  "The Quantum World: Quantum Mechanics Of Matter"


    • File icon
      Reading material for lectures 2-3-4-5 File
      Available until end of 28 August 2019
    • File icon
      Lectures 1 + 2 File
      Available until end of 29 June 2019
    • File icon
      Lecture 3 File
      Available until end of 28 June 2019
    • File icon
      Lecture 4 File
      Available until end of 28 June 2019
    • File icon
      Lecture 5 File
      Available until end of 28 June 2019
    • File icon
      Lecture 5b - Functional materials demonstration File
      Available until end of 27 June 2019