Are quantum amps any good?

What are good prerequisites to study before quantum mechanics?

• I'm an electrical engineer wanting to minor in physics. quantum mechanics really sparked my interest as an elective so i was wondering what classes should i study/take before quantum mechanics. I've done calculus (1,2,3) and physics (1,2), studying statics right now halfway through, took chemistry (1,2). What else should i take? I've looked up the grade distribution of my college for that class and amazingly it's actually lots of As and Bs, especially in quantum mechanics 2.. I'm guessing the teachers are a little on the soft side or the students have studied vigorously up to that point. Either way, what would you advise?

• Answer:

  There are two mathematical formalisms of QM One uses the shrodinger equation that requires the a bit of differential equations, complex variables, multivar calculus. The other uses matrix mechanics so you need to learn matrices and linear algebra. You need to know probability a bit. And of course basic concepts from classical mechanics like lagrangians, and all the math that goes with it. I suggest taking a mathematical physics course and a classical mechanics course you can find several fro free online. If you want books, I suggest, Mary boas math methods of physics, followed by Arken's book for the advanced stuff. Class mech you can start with Marion thorthon classical dynamics, but the Goldstein is the standard graduate text. You should also need to take a modern physics course. Try eisberg and resnicks modern physics. Some books try teach QM with as a complete course- Griffith intro to QM is good, Cohen-Tajjanou(sp?),; try Shankar's QM or Sakurai's QM for the advanced stuff.