PH8115 Essentials of Experimental Physics 4

This module description contains descriptions of the content, learning outcomes, teaching and learning methods, and types of examination, as well as references to the current course offerings and dates for the module examination, each in the respective sections.

Choose a module version:

PH8115 is a semester module in English at Bachelor’s level offered in summer semester.

The module is part of the following catalogs.
  • Service Modules for Students of other Disciplines

Unless a different student workload has been specified when exporting to a non-degree program, the scope is as shown in the following table.

Total expenseOn-campus courseScope (ECTS)
120 h h4 CP

Content responsible for the module PH8115 in version 2025s is Bilandzic, Ante.

Contents, learning outcomes and prerequisites

This course is a condensed (by a factor of 2) English version of the main course offered in German, and described at https://academics.nat.tum.de/org/mh/details/mod/PH0004/ 

This course supplements in English the main German course of Experimentalphysik 4, which is described at https://academics.nat.tum.de/org/mh/details/mod/PH0004/ 


After successful completion of the course, student is familiar with the basics of Quantum Mechanics, and related phenomena (e.g. quantization of energy levels in atoms, fine structure, Zeeman and Stark effects, etc.).

No preconditions in addition to the requirements for the bachelor’s program in Physics.

Courses, learning and teaching methods and literature references

Courses for the summer semester 2025

Course nameEvent formCourse datesHours per week
Experimental Physics 4 in Englishlecture2 h
Exercise to Experimental Physics 4 in EnglishexerciseAppointments in groups2 h

In lectures the teaching and learning content is presented and explained in a didactical, structured, and comprehensive form. Crucial facts are conveyed by involving the students in discussions to develop their intellectual power and to stimulate their analytic thinking on physics problems. Regular attendance of the lectures is therefore highly recommended.


There will be no standalone exercises classes organized particularly for this supplementary lecture. Instead, students as advised to follow regularly the exercise classes of the main course ( https://academics.nat.tum.de/org/mh/details/mod/PH0004/ ).

PowerPoint slides, textbook material, complementary literature

There are many great textbooks on Quantum Mechanics, just to name a few:

  1. "The Physics of Atoms and Quanta: Introduction to Experiments and Theory", Haken and Wolf (this textbook will be followed most closely during the lecture!)
  2. "Physics of Atoms and Molecules", Brandsen and Joachain
  3. "Atoms, Molecules and Photons", Demtröder
  4. ...

Module exam

There will be an oral exam of 20 minutes duration. Therein the achievement of the competencies given in section learning outcome is tested exemplarily at least to the given cognition level using comprehension questions. For example an assignment in the exam might be: What are commutation relations in Quantum Mechanics, and why are they fundamental? How are energy levels discretized in a hydrogen atom? What is Stark effect? Participation in the exercise classes is strongly recommended since the exercises prepare for the problems of the exam and rehearse the specific competencies.

A repeat option is provided at the end of the semester.