Short course
The Quantum Universe
Course status:
Course ended
Dates:
02/10/2025 - 04/12/2025
Study format:
In-person weekly
Level:
Beginner
Fees:
£300.00
From Planck's quanta of light to Planck's star in quantum gravity and quanta of time, this course offers an introduction to the quantum universe.
We will cover the development of the notion of quanta, from its origin as a solution to the ultraviolet catastrophe in the emission of radiation, to its ultimate consequence – the potential quantisation of space and time.
Using a minimum amount of mathematical terminology, the course explores the revolutionary theory of quanta, its many successes, its various interpretations, some of its applications, and its problematic relation with the theory of relativity.
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Programme details
Course starts Thursday 2 October 2025
This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings in Oxford on Thursdays, 7-9pm.
Week 1: Introduction: Ultraviolet catastrophe and the hypothesis of quanta
Week 2: Quantum orbits
Week 3: Wave-particle duality
Week 4: Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle
Week 5: Interpretations of quantum mechanics
Week 6: Unifying quantum mechanics and relativity
Week 7: Quantum field theory
Week 8: The Standard Model
Week 9: Quantum gravity
Week 10: Quantum cosmology
Teaching methods
- PowerPoint presentations
- Use of white board
- Group discussions
- Oral presentations
- Group activities
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course students will have been given the opportunity to:
- Become familiar with the concept of quantum and the wave-particle dualism.
- Distinguish between and evaluate the advantages of several of the main interpretations of quantum physics.
- Be comfortable about the counter-intuitive principles of quantum physics and some of their consequences.
- Gather an insight of the current theories of the origin of the universe.
Assessment methods
Only those students who have registered for assessment and accreditation, in advance of the course start date, can submit coursework/assignments for assessment.
Assessment
Option 1: a portfolio of assessable coursework elements, consisting of a number of assignments in the form of set questions throughout the course. The number of elements will be three.
or
Option 2: a 1500 word essay on a topic to be selected from a list of proposed topics. There will also be a formative assessment of a 500 word piece, to be submitted during the course.
Level and demands
This is an introductory course that does not assume any previous familiarity with quantum physics.
The Department’s Weekly Classes are taught at FHEQ Level 4, ie first year undergraduate level, and you will be expected to engage in a significant amount of private study in preparation for the classes. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class.
Course aims
- Understanding that the quantum universe operates in a fundamentally different way from the more familiar world of classical physics.
- Understand the theoretical context of quanta and the experimental evidence of quantisation.
- Become familiar with the various interpretations of quantum physics.
- Describe some of the most recent developments of quantum gravity.
Programme details
Course starts Thursday 2 October 2025
This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings in Oxford on Thursdays, 7-9pm.
Week 1: Introduction: Ultraviolet catastrophe and the hypothesis of quanta
Week 2: Quantum orbits
Week 3: Wave-particle duality
Week 4: Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle
Week 5: Interpretations of quantum mechanics
Week 6: Unifying quantum mechanics and relativity
Week 7: Quantum field theory
Week 8: The Standard Model
Week 9: Quantum gravity
Week 10: Quantum cosmology
Teaching methods
- PowerPoint presentations
- Use of white board
- Group discussions
- Oral presentations
- Group activities
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course students will have been given the opportunity to:
- Become familiar with the concept of quantum and the wave-particle dualism.
- Distinguish between and evaluate the advantages of several of the main interpretations of quantum physics.
- Be comfortable about the counter-intuitive principles of quantum physics and some of their consequences.
- Gather an insight of the current theories of the origin of the universe.
Assessment methods
Only those students who have registered for assessment and accreditation, in advance of the course start date, can submit coursework/assignments for assessment.
Assessment
Option 1: a portfolio of assessable coursework elements, consisting of a number of assignments in the form of set questions throughout the course. The number of elements will be three.
or
Option 2: a 1500 word essay on a topic to be selected from a list of proposed topics. There will also be a formative assessment of a 500 word piece, to be submitted during the course.
Marina Debattista Debattista
Marina Debattista has a PhD in Physics specialising in quantum field theory and is currently interested in the popularisation of science. This introduction to the concepts of fractals and chaos is illustrated by examples from the natural world and science.
Assessment methods
Only those students who have registered for assessment and accreditation, in advance of the course start date, can submit coursework/assignments for assessment.
Level and demands
This is an introductory course that does not assume any previous familiarity with quantum physics.
The Department’s Weekly Classes are taught at FHEQ Level 4, ie first year undergraduate level, and you will be expected to engage in a significant amount of private study in preparation for the classes. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Course fee (with no assessment) | £300.00 |
| Assessment and Accreditation fee | £60.00 |
How to enrol
Please use the ‘Book now’ button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form.
How to register for accreditation and assessment
To be able to submit coursework and to earn credit (CATS points) for this course, if you wish to do so, you will need to register and pay an additional £60 fee. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.
Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun.
If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education at the Department you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.