The required text for the course is Albert. Quantum Mechanics and Experience. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1992. ISBN: 0674741129.
Hughes, R. I. G. The Structure and Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1989. ISBN: 0674843916.
Maudlin. Quantum Non-locality and Relativity: Metaphysical Intimations of Modern Physics. Malden, MA: Blackwell, c2002. ISBN: 0631232214. (Highly recommended)
Additional readings (usually articles) will be handed out in class at various points throughout the course.
The material is, in most cases, trickier than meets the eye; read it twice.
| Lec # | TOPICS | READINGS |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | Overview of Some Odd Phenomena | Albert, Chapters 1 and 3; Hughes, Preface and Introduction; supplemental readings |
| 4 | Overview of Some Odd Phenomena (cont.) | |
| 5-6 | The Mathematical Formalism and Its Orthodox Interpretation | Albert, Chapter 2; Hughes, Chapters 1-5; supplemental readings |
| 7-8 | The Mathematical Formalism and Its Orthodox Interpretation (cont.) | |
| 9-16 | The Measurement Problem and Attempted Solutions | Albert, Chapters 4-7; supplemental readings |
| 17-19 | Hidden Variables and Proofs of Their Impossibility | Hughes, Chapter 6; supplemental readings |
| 20-22 | Quantum Extravagances | Supplemental readings: topics may include one or more of quantum logic, quantum faster-than-light signaling, quantum teleportation, quantum computing |
| 23-26 | Composition and Identical Particles | Supplemental readings |