UNBC Department of Physics
PHYS 205 - Modern Physics I
Fall 2016
Course outline

This is the first part of a two-semester introductory course in modern physics (PHYS 205
and PHYS 206) which consists of the theories of relativity and quantum mechanics and
their applications to atoms, molecules, solids, nuclei, elementary particles, and
cosmology. Topics covered in PHYS 205 include the theory of special relativity, the
quantum theory of light, the particle and wave natures of matter, quantum mechanics
in one dimension, and tunnelling phenomena.

Prerequisites: PHYS 111

Credit hours: 3

Instructor: Dr Elie Korkmaz
o Office:10-2006
o Telephone: 960-5769
o E-mail: korkmaz@unbc.ca
o Office hours: Wed 10:00-12:00 and 13:00-16:00, or by appointment or drop in
anytime

Textbook: Modern Physics, by Serway, Moses, and Moyer, third edition.

Lectures: TR 8:30 – 9:50; TAL Building, Room 10-4074.
Some material or details in the text may not be covered in class (simply not enough
time). However, you are responsible for all the sections in the text that are covered
in class (see timetable below). For each chapter, a number of problems from the
text will be selected and solved in class.

Assignments: 7 homework assignments due as indicated below; 30% of total grade.
Assignment solutions will be handed out in class the day the assignment is due.
Thus, unless legitimate reasons are provided, late assignments cannot be credited.

Midterm exam: Tuesday, Nov 1; in class; covers chapters 1 to 4; 30% of total grade.

Final exam: Date and place TBA; comprehensive; 40% of total grade.
Approximate Timetable
Dates
Chapter: Topic
Sections in text
Sep 8, 13, 15
Chapter 1: Relativity I
1.1 – 1.6
Sep 20, 22, 27
Chapter 2: Relativity II
2.1 – 2.4
Sep 29; Oct 4, 6
Chapter 3: The quantum theory of light
3.1 – 3.6
Oct 11, 13, 18
Chapter 4: The particle nature of matter
4.1 – 4.5
Oct 20, 25, 27
Chapter 5: The wave nature of matter
5.1 – 5.8
Nov 1
Midterm exam
Nov 3, 8, 15, 17
Chapter 6: Quantum mechanics in one dimension
Nov 10
Mid-semester break; no class
Nov 22, 24, 29
Chapter 7: Tunneling phenomena in quantum mechanics
Homework Assignments
Set #
Problems from
Due
1
Chap 1
Sep 20
2
Chap 2
Oct 4
3
Chap 3
Oct 11
4
Chap 4
Oct 25
5
Chap 5
Nov 3
6
Chap 6
Nov 22
7
Chap 7
Dec 1
6.1 – 6.8
7.1 – 7.2