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QUANTUM THEORY: PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE (FOUNDATIONS OF QUANTUM MECHANICS)

326006
Physics and Energy

Over deze cursus

The course is between Physics and Humanities and open to all students.

Despite the extraordinary success of quantum mechanics, debates about the interpretation of the formalism and its various paradoxes persist to this day.

The course will provide a state-of-art introduction to the foundations of quantum mechanics, addressing, in particular, the question what quantum theories are actually telling us about the world.

  1. Understanding the fundamental concepts and innovations of quantum mechanics
  2. Understanding the foundational problems of quantum mechanics, especially the measurement problem and its possible solutions
  3. Acquiring basic knowldege of main contemporary formulations (interpretations) of quantum mechanics, such as bohmian mechanics, objective collaps theories, and the many-worlds theories that are not part of the standard physics curriculum
  4. Understanding the physical and philosophical debates about the ontology of quantum mechanics, the meaning of the wave function, and the status of probabilities, thereby developing the ability to weigh different positions and develop precise arguments
  5. Understanding key experimental (double-slit, stern-gerlach, eprb) and theoretical (einstein-podolsky-rosen paradox, bell's theorem, no-hidden-variables theorems) results and their implications
  6. Sharpen the ability to think critically and carefully about the interpretation of experimental and mathematical results, in general
  7. Appreciating central issues in philosophy of science via the debates about quantum mechanics; scientific realism vs. anti-realism, empricial underdetermination, the status of theoretical entities

SEMESTER START DATE: March 30, 2025

Contact Hours per Week: 2

Day & Time: Tuesday from 16:00-18:00 (Israel Time)

Leerresultaten

At the end of the course, students will be able to

• Understand fundamental concepts, problems, and results in quantum mechanics

• Identify and critically engage with competing versions/interpretations of quantum mechanics

• Apply concepts from the philosophy of physics and discuss philosophical texts

Toetsing

There is no final exam. There are reading assignments throughout the semester and an essay that has to be submitted by the end.

The final grade is composed as follows:

50% Reading Assignments 40% Essay 10% Attendance

Voorkennis

No formal prerequisites but participants should not be "afraid" of a little math

Activiteiten

Lectures, reading and writing assignments

Aanvullende informatie

  • Studiepunten
    ECTS 3
  • Niveau
    Bachelor
  • Contact uren per week
    2
  • Instructeurs
    Asst. Prof. Dustin Lazarovici
  • Instructievorm
    Hybrid
Als er nog iets onduidelijk is, kijk even naar de FAQ van Technion (Israel).

Aanbod

  • Startdatum

    30 maart 2025

    • Einddatum
      13 juli 2025
    • Periode *
      Spring Semester 2024/25
    • Locatie
      Haifa
    • Voertaal
      Engels
    • Inschrijven tussen
      29 okt - 29 nov 2024
    Nog 9 dagen om in te schrijven
    Apply now
Dit aanbod is voor studenten van DTU (Denmark)