Importance of Graduate Quantum Mechanics 2 in Materials Science?

[chill_factor]

Hello forum. I am a future M.S. Physics student (Fall 2012) that aspires to eventually obtain a PhD in some sort of materials science. Specifically, my interests lie in soft matter, thermodynamics and self assembled materials, but I am open minded to other directions. My M.S. school has the 2nd graduate semester of Quantum Mechanics as an elective instead of as a core class, and I would like to know about how useful and difficult it would be.

Course description:

Graduate Quantum Mechanics II

Scattering, rotation group and irreducible tensor operations, identical particles, semi-classical radiation theory, atoms, path integral formalism, and other selected topics.

What are the applications of these topics in materials science/condensed matter physics?

How challenging is this course in terms of time spent and difficulty of concepts?

 

[R.Mesri]

The topics covered in the course are essential for understanding various condensed matter systems, especially those involving quantum effects. Scattering theory is important for understanding how particles interact with each other and how materials respond to external perturbations. Rotation group and irreducible tensor operations are necessary for understanding the properties of materials with anisotropic symmetry, such as ferroelectrics and liquid crystals. Identical particles are important for understanding materials composed of multiple identical particles, such as electrons in a solid. Semi-classical radiation theory is useful for understanding the interaction of light with materials. Atoms are essential for understanding the behavior of atoms in materials, such as their binding energy and electronic structure. Path integral formalism is useful for understanding the behavior of particles in a given potential, which is important for understanding the behavior of electrons in solids. In terms of difficulty, this course is somewhat challenging. It requires a good background in quantum mechanics, as well as a solid understanding of mathematics. The time spent on the course will depend on how much effort you put into it, but typically, you should expect to spend at least 12-15 hours per week on the coursework.