Program Overview

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Course Information

The course SH2008, Introductory Modern Physics, is a 6.0 credit course.

Information per Course Offering

• Termin: Spring 2026
• Start: 13 Jan 2026
• Duration: 13 Jan 2026 - 13 Mar 2026
• Periods: Spring 2026: P3 (6 hp)
• Pace of study: 50%
• Application code: 61085
• Form of study: Normal Daytime
• Language of instruction: English
• Course memo: Not published
• Number of places: Not limited
• Target group: TELFM, CMAST, CFATE, CELTE
• Planned modular schedule: P3: D1, D2

Course Details

Content and Learning Outcomes

The course covers the experimental background of Modern Physics and Quantum Mechanics, including:

• The experimental background of modern Physics
• Material waves ("de Broglie waves")
• Wave packets and the Heisenberg uncertainty relation
• Wave-particle duality
• Atomic structure
• The Bohr model of the atom
• Atomic energy levels
• The foundations of quantum mechanics
• Applications of the Schrödinger equation to simple potentials
• Interpretations of wave functions
• Plane wave solutions
• The harmonic oscillator
• Angular momentum and spin
• The hydrogen atom and the periodic table
• The Pauli principle
• Planck's radiation law
• X-ray emission and spectra
• The structure of the nucleus
• Radioactive decay
• Application of phenomena such as the photoelectric effect
• Quantum mechanical phenomena in the natural sciences and technology

Intended Learning Outcomes

After completing the course, the student should:

• Be able to explain the scientific basis of modern physics as defined by the course content
• Be able to construct and perform quantum mechanical calculations of simple systems
• Be able to apply quantum mechanical principles within the natural sciences and technology
• Have acquired practical experience of experimental methods within modern physics

Literature and Preparations

Specific Prerequisites

• Basic integral and differential calculus
• Basic algebra
• Basic mechanics
• English B / English 6

Recommended Prerequisites

• Knowledge similar to SI1100, SK1100, and SI1140, SF1604, SF1602, and SF1603, and SG1130

Literature

Information about course literature can be found in the course memo or in the course room in Canvas.

Examination and Completion

Grading Scale

• A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Examination

• INLA - Home Assignments, 3.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
• PROA - Project, 2.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
• LABA - Laboration, 1.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Examiner

Chong Qi

Ethical Approach

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution

Further Information

Course Room in Canvas

Registered students can find further information about the implementation of the course in the course room in Canvas.

Offered by

SCI/Physics

Main Field of Study

Engineering Physics

Education Cycle

Second cycle

Supplementary Information

The course SH2008 overlaps with the subject in other courses in Modern Physics: SH1012 and SH1014. Students who finished any of these Bachelor-level courses (this includes also SH1011, SH1013, SH1009) are not recommended to enlist for the SH2008 course.