After this course, you

• are able to interpret the results of the solution to the Schrodinger equation by making predictions for a measurement operation based on the system’s wavefunction
• are able to construct and solve the Schrödinger equation for various model systems: a free particle, the harmonic oscillator, as well as the smallest atoms and molecules
• understand the basic principles of the operator algebra
• know the quantum-mechanical analogues of the classical motions translation and vibration

This course gives a broad introduction into the basics of quantum mechanics (QM) and its applications to the electronic structure of small systems. In the Part 1, the fundamentals of quantum mechanics are treated, with such simple examples as the particle-in-a-box problem, tunneling, and the harmonic oscillator.
The course starts with the postulates of QM. On the basis of the postulates, we will describe simple systems with their corresponding wavefunctions. The interpretation of the wavefunction idea will be given in relation to physical measurements on these systems. Because QM is in many respects drastically different from classical mechanics, extra attention will be given to those examples where our classical intuition leads to wrong conclusions in quantum-mechanical situations.