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edX

Quantum Mechanics for Everyone

Georgetown University via edX

Overview

Quantum Mechanics for Everyone is a six-week long MOOC that teaches the basic ideas of quantum mechanics with a method that requires no complicated math beyond taking square roots (and you can use a calculator for that). Quantum theory is taught without “dumbing down” any of the material, giving you the same version experts use in current research. We will cover the quantum mystery of the two-slit experiment and advanced topics that include how to see something without shining light on it (quantum seeing in the dark) and bunching effects of photons (Hong-Ou-Mandel effect).

To get a flavor for the course and see if it is right for you, watch "Let's get small", which shows you how poorly you were taught what an atom looks like, and "The fallacy of physics phobia."

Please note : the modules of this course will be released on a weekly basis from October 11, 2020 to November 22, 2020, when all the course material will be available in the archive mode.

Syllabus

1. Introduction to the Quantum World
- Introduction
- Classical mechanics of moving magnets in a magnetic field
- Probability
- Quantum Probability

2. Advanced Quantum Mechanics with Spins
- Stern-Gerlach analyzer-loop
- Analog of the two-slit experiment
- Wheeler’s delayed choice experiment
- Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen
- Bell’s inequality
- NMR and MRI

3. The Quantum Mechanics of Light
- Wave or particle?
- Exploring the quantum model for light
- Developing the quantum model for light
- Understanding the quantum mystery
- Applications of the quantum theory of light

4. Advanced Quantum Ideas with Light
- Introduction to quantum seeing in the dark
- Mach-Zehnder Interferometer
- The Quantum Zeno Effect Quantum Seeing in the Dark
- Identical particles and the Hong-Ou-Mandel experiment

Taught by

James Freericks

Reviews

5.0 rating, based on 126 Class Central reviews

4.8 rating at edX based on 6 ratings

Start your review of Quantum Mechanics for Everyone

  • Anonymous
    This class wasn't what I expected it to be. It was way better. I expected it to be a lot more like the popular books/audiobooks on quantum mechanics that I've consumed over the past few years. These were the kinds of books that start by introducing…
  • I was really impressed by Professor Freericks's course. He's pioneering a new way of teaching Quantum Mechanics which is rigorous and correctly conveys the actual content of the physical theory without the need for much 'advanced' mathematics. The…
  • Anonymous
    I took this course last year because I wanted to have a better understanding of Quantum Mechanics and to measure its content to what I thought I knew about it. First off, the course is extremely well made. The videos and step by step didactic lesso…
  • Anonymous
    I want to thank you so much for this incredible experience. I found the course extremely, though deliciously, challenging at times, which was great (after the fact) and so rewarding and stimulating. I love that I now dream I am solving quantum mecha…
  • Profile image for William Courtney
    William Courtney
    An outstanding course. The instructor guaranteed that there would be no lies about QM, that there would be no over-simplifications, and he lived up to that guarantee. This course is not the usual mathematical, bra-ket approach. Instead, it takes a p…
  • Profile image for Jan Kowalski
    Jan Kowalski
    Because I have only reached middle school and a high school diploma, and speak English fairly poorly, I have had great doubts about completing this course. Now I have made it, with 97% success. I'm also about 97% sure (I've learned a lot about prob…
  • César E. Cruz
    I am from the Dominican Republic, and I am really glad that I took Quantum Mechanics for Everyone. This was my second try, since I was not able to complete the prior class. I am a water management specialist in the field of agriculture, and in this…
  • Cathy Laezza
    An excellent course led by an excellent Professor. The course is well structured and gives a great deal of information. There are videos, tutorials, written text, as well as test questions and retrieval practice to help you understand and remember t…
  • I completed this course number of months ago and found it was very interesting. The course tries to explain quantum mechanics without a lot of math, specifically without calculus. The professor does this explanation using clever models and short apps with which the students can interact. It is a very effective method and reduces the mystery of quantum mechanics. No one can explain quantum mechanics in a way that humans can truly understand it but this course does does an exceptional job of providing more intuition into quantum mechanics, especially for those without calculus - thus, it's for everyone.
  • Anonymous
    I just finished the course, and I thought it was fabulous. It introduces a number of the basic concepts of quantum mechanics, getting right down to the nitty-gritty, and including some simple mathematics that should not intimidate anyone. Despite be…
  • Profile image for John Reese
    John Reese
    Professor Freericks and his support staff are clearly committed to providing the best possible MOOC experience possible. Not everything covered made sense to me the first time through, but I was amazed at the level of support I received, as reflecte…
  • Anonymous
    This is easily the best MOOC course I have taken so far! The content was amazing, and Professor Freericks' pedagogical style was mind-blowing! I have an undergraduate degree, as well as a graduate degree in Chemical Engineering, but I changed fields…
  • Anonymous
    I really enjoy the course of Quantum Mechanics for everyone. I have learned a lot from the course. It opens my eyes to the quantum world. Thanks for those who help providing this course.
  • Beth Kurtz
    This course was very difficult for me but I definitely learned. I am retired and have studied independently for several years so the material itself is not so difficult. It's presented in a way that makes it easy to understand, and the variety though the modules keeps it enjoyable. For me, I just have a glaring deficiency in math; I always have. The "word" problems kill me unfortunately, and that's what physics is.

    But I wanted to give this course a try for the sake of learning, and I am glad I did. I still love physics and will continue to check this sight for other courses of interest.

    Thanks to EdX for this opportunity to learn!
  • Anonymous
    To whom it may concern

    Quantum mechanics for everyone is an innovative course with great potentiality and fundamental because it allows non-experts to have a greater understanding of the world
    Unfortunately, due to health problems, I did not succeed in attending it.
    I hope. next time to have no obstacle and so the chance to do something really interesting
    With my best compliments
    Palma Parascandola
  • Profile image for 오성현
    오성현
    정말 저의 최애 강의입니다.
    양자역학을 공부하려는 분이라면 반드시 들어야 할 강의라고 생각합니다. 이 강의를 무료로 제공해주셔서 너무 감사합니다.

    심화학습을 원하신다면 for everyone이 제목에 없는 quantum mechanics도 이어서 들으실 것을 추천드립니다.

    전통적인 양자역학 강의 방식과는 다른 방식으로 접근하였더라구요. 전 이 심화강의도 다시 들으려고 계획 중에 있습니다. 곧(8월 중) 공개되는 것으로 알고 있습니다.

    정말 좋은 강의입니다. 추천합니다!!!
  • Anonymous
    This is a great class. It introduced the fundamental concepts of quantum mechanics in the context of different historical experiments. The way things are explained and the interconnection of ideas made the topics both interesting and easy to follow. Computer simulations gave me the feeling of "hands-on" experience. The practice problems helped me make sure that I understand the concepts correctly. I had a few questions that I asked on the discussion panel, and the professor (not a TA) addressed them in a timely fashion. It is an introductory course, but I learned a lot.
  • Anonymous
    I really enjoyed every module of this course and found a chance to explore the Quantum world. The efforts to prepare such an excellent course by Prof. Freericks and his colleagues are obvious. They provided many tutorials that could help me to understand better and I think this kind of approach was quite effective for not only me but also others regardless of their level of knowledge. Thank you very much for all your effort and time! I can't wait for the next courses and hope we can see them soon...
  • Anonymous
    This was an excellent course delivering exactly what it said it would. It was well paced, interesting and best of all used an understandable, consistent approach to unveiling the quantum mystery. No pre-existing mathematics (math for those who can’t spell colour) was required and I was pleasantly surprised by how easily concepts were introduced and re-I forced. Jim was incredibly responsive in the discussions and he and his team should take pride in being such good educators.
  • Alex Jacoby
    I worked in depth with this course as a reviewer for almost 6 months and have continued to work with similar material since... Dr. Freericks' pedagogical skills are evident, as he presents material clearly and by enlightening or unconventional means…

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