PHYS 455: Quantum Mechanics I

Physics · 3 credits · Physics and Astronomy

This course covers the fundamental postulates of quantum mechanics. Algebraic methods are developed and applied to the harmonic oscillator, angular momentum, spin, and the addition of angular momentum. Time-independent degenerate and non-degenerate perturbation theory are discussed, with applications to the fine and hyperfine structure of the hydrogen atom.

Offered in 6 of the 26 listed terms (Fall 2021 to Fall 2026).

Catalog entry Browse Classes Textbooks (WWU Bookstore)

Prerequisites

PHYS 230 and PHYS 365 and MATH 304

Prerequisite tree

Each course's own prerequisites, down to the first courses in the chain.

PHYS 230 Introduction to Quantum Physics
requires PHYS 163 and MATH 204
- PHYS 163 Physics with Calculus III
  requires PHYS 162 and ((MATH 124 and MATH 125) or (MATH 134 and MATH 135) or MATH 138)
  - PHYS 162 Physics with Calculus II
    requires (PHYS 161 or HNRS 211) and ((MATH 124 and MATH 125) or (MATH 134 and MATH 135) or MATH 138)
    - PHYS 161 Physics with Calculus I
      requires MATH 124 or MATH 134 or MATH 138 or Calculus AB AP Exam (AP66), score 3 or Calculus BC AP Exam (AP68), score 3 or Calc AB Subscore AP Exm (AP69), score 3
      - MATH 124 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
        requires MPT - Advanced - Scaled Score, score 153 or MATH 115 or MATH 118 or Precalculus AP Exam (AP65), score 5 or Calculus BC AP Exam (AP68), score 3 or Calculus AB AP Exam (AP66), score 2 or Calc AB Subscore AP Exm (AP69), score 2 or Pre-Calculus 2 (PC2), score 2.30 or ALEKS Math Placement Assessmnt, score 80
        MATH 115 Precalculus II
        requires MATH 114 or Precalculus AP Exam (AP65), score 4 or ALEKS Math Placement Assessmnt, score 65 (continues on its page)
        MATH 118 Accelerated Precalculus
        requires MPT General - Scaled Score, score 158 or MPT - Advanced - Scaled Score, score 149 or Precalculus AP Exam (AP65), score 4 or Calculus AB AP Exam (AP66), score 2 or Calculus BC AP Exam (AP68), score 3 or Calc AB Subscore AP Exm (AP69), score 2 or ALEKS Math Placement Assessmnt, score 70
      - MATH 134 Calculus I Honors
        requires MATH 115 (minimum grade A) or MATH 118 (minimum grade A) or Math Placement - Advanced 2, score 20 or Precalculus AP Exam (AP65), score 5
        MATH 115 Precalculus II (shown above)
        MATH 118 Accelerated Precalculus (shown above)
      - MATH 138 Accelerated Calculus
        requires Calculus AB AP Exam (AP66), score 4 or Calculus BC AP Exam (AP68), score 3 or Calc AB Subscore AP Exm (AP69), score 4 or (Calculus BC AP Exam (AP68), score 2 and Calc AB Subscore AP Exm (AP69), score 3)
    - HNRS 211 Colloquium in Physics
      requires MATH 124 or MATH 134 or MATH 138 or Calculus AB AP Exam (AP66), score 3 or Calculus BC AP Exam (AP68), score 3 or Calc AB Subscore AP Exm (AP69), score 3
      - MATH 124 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (shown above)
      - MATH 134 Calculus I Honors (shown above)
      - MATH 138 Accelerated Calculus (shown above)
    - MATH 124 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
      requires MPT - Advanced - Scaled Score, score 153 or MATH 115 or MATH 118 or Precalculus AP Exam (AP65), score 5 or Calculus BC AP Exam (AP68), score 3 or Calculus AB AP Exam (AP66), score 2 or Calc AB Subscore AP Exm (AP69), score 2 or Pre-Calculus 2 (PC2), score 2.30 or ALEKS Math Placement Assessmnt, score 80
      - MATH 115 Precalculus II
        requires MATH 114 or Precalculus AP Exam (AP65), score 4 or ALEKS Math Placement Assessmnt, score 65
        MATH 114 Precalculus I
        requires MPT General - Scaled Score, score 153 or MPT - Advanced - Scaled Score, score 143 or ALEKS Math Placement Assessmnt, score 55 or MATH 112 or Precalculus AP Exam (AP65), score 3 or College Algebra (CA), score 1.70 or Pre-Calculus 1 (PC1), score 1.70 (continues on its page)
      - MATH 118 Accelerated Precalculus
        requires MPT General - Scaled Score, score 158 or MPT - Advanced - Scaled Score, score 149 or Precalculus AP Exam (AP65), score 4 or Calculus AB AP Exam (AP66), score 2 or Calculus BC AP Exam (AP68), score 3 or Calc AB Subscore AP Exm (AP69), score 2 or ALEKS Math Placement Assessmnt, score 70
    - MATH 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II
      requires MATH 124 or MATH 134 or Calculus AB AP Exam (AP66), score 4 or Calculus BC AP Exam (AP68), score 3 or Calc AB Subscore AP Exm (AP69), score 4
      - MATH 124 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (shown above)
      - MATH 134 Calculus I Honors (shown above)
    - MATH 134 Calculus I Honors
      requires MATH 115 (minimum grade A) or MATH 118 (minimum grade A) or Math Placement - Advanced 2, score 20 or Precalculus AP Exam (AP65), score 5
      - MATH 115 Precalculus II (shown above)
      - MATH 118 Accelerated Precalculus (shown above)
    - MATH 135 Calculus II Honors
    - MATH 138 Accelerated Calculus
      requires Calculus AB AP Exam (AP66), score 4 or Calculus BC AP Exam (AP68), score 3 or Calc AB Subscore AP Exm (AP69), score 4 or (Calculus BC AP Exam (AP68), score 2 and Calc AB Subscore AP Exm (AP69), score 3)
  - MATH 124 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
    requires MPT - Advanced - Scaled Score, score 153 or MATH 115 or MATH 118 or Precalculus AP Exam (AP65), score 5 or Calculus BC AP Exam (AP68), score 3 or Calculus AB AP Exam (AP66), score 2 or Calc AB Subscore AP Exm (AP69), score 2 or Pre-Calculus 2 (PC2), score 2.30 or ALEKS Math Placement Assessmnt, score 80
    - MATH 115 Precalculus II
      requires MATH 114 or Precalculus AP Exam (AP65), score 4 or ALEKS Math Placement Assessmnt, score 65
      - MATH 114 Precalculus I
        requires MPT General - Scaled Score, score 153 or MPT - Advanced - Scaled Score, score 143 or ALEKS Math Placement Assessmnt, score 55 or MATH 112 or Precalculus AP Exam (AP65), score 3 or College Algebra (CA), score 1.70 or Pre-Calculus 1 (PC1), score 1.70
        MATH 112 Functions and Algebraic Methods
        requires MPT - Advanced - Scaled Score, score 143 or MATH 099 (minimum grade YP) or College Algebra (CA), score 1.70 or Intermediate Algebra (IA), score 1.70 or MPT General - Scaled Score, score 148 or ALEKS Math Placement Assessmnt, score 35 or Precalculus AP Exam (AP65), score 2 or MATH 197C (minimum grade S) or MATH 109 (minimum grade S) (continues on its page)
    - MATH 118 Accelerated Precalculus
      requires MPT General - Scaled Score, score 158 or MPT - Advanced - Scaled Score, score 149 or Precalculus AP Exam (AP65), score 4 or Calculus AB AP Exam (AP66), score 2 or Calculus BC AP Exam (AP68), score 3 or Calc AB Subscore AP Exm (AP69), score 2 or ALEKS Math Placement Assessmnt, score 70
  - MATH 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II
    requires MATH 124 or MATH 134 or Calculus AB AP Exam (AP66), score 4 or Calculus BC AP Exam (AP68), score 3 or Calc AB Subscore AP Exm (AP69), score 4
    - MATH 124 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (shown above)
    - MATH 134 Calculus I Honors (shown above)
  - MATH 134 Calculus I Honors
    requires MATH 115 (minimum grade A) or MATH 118 (minimum grade A) or Math Placement - Advanced 2, score 20 or Precalculus AP Exam (AP65), score 5
    - MATH 115 Precalculus II (shown above)
    - MATH 118 Accelerated Precalculus (shown above)
  - MATH 135 Calculus II Honors
  - MATH 138 Accelerated Calculus
    requires Calculus AB AP Exam (AP66), score 4 or Calculus BC AP Exam (AP68), score 3 or Calc AB Subscore AP Exm (AP69), score 4 or (Calculus BC AP Exam (AP68), score 2 and Calc AB Subscore AP Exm (AP69), score 3)
- MATH 204 Elementary Linear Algebra
  requires MATH 125 or MATH 135 or MATH 138
  - MATH 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II (shown above)
  - MATH 135 Calculus II Honors (shown above)
  - MATH 138 Accelerated Calculus (shown above)
PHYS 365 Mathematical Physics
requires (MATH 224 or MATH 225) and (MATH 304 or PHYS 361) and MATH 331
- MATH 224 Multivariable Calculus and Geometry I
  requires MATH 125 or MATH 135 or MATH 138 or Calculus AB AP Exam (AP66), score 5 or Calculus BC AP Exam (AP68), score 4 or Calc AB Subscore AP Exm (AP69), score 5
  - MATH 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II (shown above)
  - MATH 135 Calculus II Honors (shown above)
  - MATH 138 Accelerated Calculus (shown above)
- MATH 225 Multivariable Calculus and Geometry II
  requires MATH 224
  - MATH 224 Multivariable Calculus and Geometry I (shown above)
- MATH 304 Linear Algebra
  requires MATH 204 and (MATH 224 or MATH 225)
  - MATH 204 Elementary Linear Algebra (shown above)
  - MATH 224 Multivariable Calculus and Geometry I (shown above)
  - MATH 225 Multivariable Calculus and Geometry II (shown above)
- PHYS 361 Introduction to Mathematical Physics
  requires MATH 204 and MATH 224
  - MATH 204 Elementary Linear Algebra (shown above)
  - MATH 224 Multivariable Calculus and Geometry I (shown above)
- MATH 331 Ordinary Differential Equations
  requires MATH 204
  - MATH 204 Elementary Linear Algebra (shown above)
MATH 304 Linear Algebra
requires MATH 204 and (MATH 224 or MATH 225)
- MATH 204 Elementary Linear Algebra (shown above)
- MATH 224 Multivariable Calculus and Geometry I (shown above)
- MATH 225 Multivariable Calculus and Geometry II (shown above)

From Banner's catalog for Spring 2027. Banner lists only the requisites it enforces, so check the catalog entry too.

Required by (1)

PHYS 456

What it leads to

Courses that list it as a prerequisite, then the courses that list those, 2 levels deep.

PHYS 456 Quantum Mechanics II

Syllabi and course websites

None listed yet.

Suggest a syllabus link

Instructors

Instructor	Sections	Terms
Peden, Brandon	4	Fall 2021 to Fall 2024
Rahmanisisan, Armin	2	Fall 2025 to Fall 2026

Every offering in the listed terms (6 sections)

Term	Sec	CRN	Type	Meets	Instructor	Enrolled	Delivery
Fall 2026	F48	40238	Lecture	MWF 2:00pm-2:50pm · CF 316	Rahmanisisan, Armin	32/25	Face to Face Instruction
Fall 2025	F48	40256	Lecture	MWF 2:00pm-2:50pm · CF 314	Rahmanisisan, Armin	17/25	Face to Face Instruction
Fall 2024	F48	40274	Lecture	MWF 10:00am-10:50am · CF 224	Peden, Brandon	17/25	Face to Face Instruction
Fall 2023	F48	40321	Lecture	MWF 10:00am-10:50am · CF 314	Peden, Brandon	18/25	Face to Face Instruction
Fall 2022	F48	40328	Lecture	MWF 10:00am-10:50am · CF 314	Peden, Brandon	22/25	Face to Face Instruction
Fall 2021	F48	40363	Lecture	MWF 2:00pm-2:50pm · CF 314	Peden, Brandon	16/20	Face to Face Instruction