NMAA05012U Mathematical Physics (MatFys)

Volume 2024/2025
Education

BSc Programme in Physics

Content

A. Classical mechanics: A1. Newtonian mechanics. A2. Calculus of variations and Lagrangian mechanics, including Noether's theorem. A3. Legendre-Fenchel transform and Hamiltonian mechanics, including Liouville's theorem.


B. Quantum mechanics: B1. Hilbert space theory. B2. Operators on Hilbert space, including basic spectral theory. B3. The quantum mechanical formalism, including the Schrödinger representation, the momentum representation, and Fourier transformation. B4. The free particle, the harmonic oscillator and the hydrogen atom.

Learning Outcome

At the end of the course the students are expected to have acquired the following knowledge and associated tool box:

  • the mathematical formulation of clasical mechanics
  • the mathematical formulation of quantum mechanics
  • symmetries and transformations, e.g., the Galillei transformation
  • the fundamental theorems on Hilbert spaces
  • properties of simple bounded and unbounded operators
  • the free Laplace operator and elementary properties of its spectral theory

 

Skills:

  • be able to work rigorously with problems from classical mechanics
  • be able to work rigorously with problems from quantum mechanics
  • be able to determine the spectrum of simple bounded and unbounded operators with discrete spectrum
  • be able to rigorously analyze the quantum harmonic oscillator and/or the hydrogen atom

 

Competences: The course aims at training the students in representing, modelling and handling physical problems by mathematical concepts and techniques.

Introduktion til matematik (MatIntro) and Lineær Algebra (LinAlg) or similar. Analysis 0 (An0) or Analysis 1 (An1) or similar will be an advantage. The course also requires prerequisites in physics corresponding to the A-level for physics in high school.
5 hours of lectures and 4 hours of exercises per week for 9 weeks.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 45
  • Preparation
  • 100
  • Theory exercises
  • 36
  • Exam
  • 25
  • Total
  • 206
Written
Oral
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Continuous assessment
Type of assessment details
The students' performance will be evaluated on the basis of three assignments during the course. When calculating the final mark, the three assignments are weighted equally.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
One internal examiner
Re-exam

Final exam with two internal examiners: a 30 minutes oral exam without preparation or aids.

Criteria for exam assesment

The student should convincingly and accurately demonstrate the knowledge, skills and competences described under Intended learning outcome.