Quantum Mechanics for Everyone

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FREE,
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edX online courses
Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of California, Berkeley, are just some of the schools that you have at your fingertips with edX. Through massive open online courses (MOOCs) from the world's best universities, you can develop your knowledge in literature, math, history, food and nutrition, and more. These online classes are taught by highly-regarded experts in the field. If you take a class on computer science through Harvard, you may be tau...
Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of California, Berkeley, are just some of the schools that you have at your fingertips with edX. Through massive open online courses (MOOCs) from the world's best universities, you can develop your knowledge in literature, math, history, food and nutrition, and more. These online classes are taught by highly-regarded experts in the field. If you take a class on computer science through Harvard, you may be taught by David J. Malan, a senior lecturer on computer science at Harvard University for the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. But there's not just one professor - you have access to the entire teaching staff, allowing you to receive feedback on assignments straight from the experts. Pursue a Verified Certificate to document your achievements and use your coursework for job and school applications, promotions, and more. EdX also works with top universities to conduct research, allowing them to learn more about learning. Using their findings, edX is able to provide students with the best and most effective courses, constantly enhancing the student experience.

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21575 reviews

Course Description

Quantum Mechanics for Everyone is a four-week long MOOC that teaches the basic ideas of quantum mechanics with a method that requires no complicated math beyond taking square roots (and you can use a calculator for that). Quantum theory is taught without “dumbing down” any of the material, giving you the same version experts use in current research. We will cover the quantum mystery of the two-slit experiment and advanced topics that include how to see something without shining light on it (quantum seeing in the dark) and bunching effects of photons (Hong-Ou-Mandel effect).

To get a flavor for the course and see if it is right for you, watch "Let's get small", which shows you how poorly you were taught what an atom looks like, and "The fallacy of physics phobia." 

Please note: the four sections of this course will be released on a weekly basis from April 18, 2017 to May 9, 2017, when all the course material will be availab...

Quantum Mechanics for Everyone is a four-week long MOOC that teaches the basic ideas of quantum mechanics with a method that requires no complicated math beyond taking square roots (and you can use a calculator for that). Quantum theory is taught without “dumbing down” any of the material, giving you the same version experts use in current research. We will cover the quantum mystery of the two-slit experiment and advanced topics that include how to see something without shining light on it (quantum seeing in the dark) and bunching effects of photons (Hong-Ou-Mandel effect).

To get a flavor for the course and see if it is right for you, watch "Let's get small", which shows you how poorly you were taught what an atom looks like, and "The fallacy of physics phobia." 

Please note: the four sections of this course will be released on a weekly basis from April 18, 2017 to May 9, 2017, when all the course material will be available and the course will become fully self-paced.

 
Reviews 10/10 stars
88 Reviews for Quantum Mechanics for Everyone

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Bill Courtney profile image
Bill Courtney profile image

Bill Courtney

10/10 starsCompleted
1 year, 5 months ago
An outstanding course. The instructor guaranteed that there would be no lies about QM, that there would be no over-simplifications, and he lived up to that guarantee. This course is not the usual mathematical, bra-ket approach. Instead, it takes a physical approach. Magnetic and light phenomena are discussed, mostly in the context of the two-slit experiment. The math content is not at all difficult yet it employs the Feynman approach of looking at all the ways that an outcome can occur and then combining them coherently, squaring the length, and getting a probability for the event. The subtleties of how the presence/absence/partial presence of which-way info affects the analysis of outcomes and probabilities is treated in an accurate yet intuitive way. The course clearly explains quite sophisticated QM phenomena while still using elementary ideas. A remarkable feat!
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8/10 starsCompleted
  • 0 reviews
  • 0 completed
1 month ago
The content itself is superb, being derived from the brilliant and groundbreaking work of Richard Feynman and Daniel Styer. Unfortunately the presentation is not as clear and concise as the original books on which it is based. This is compounded by a number of confusing typos and errors in the visual aids. The format of math results on tests is also annoying. For example, the system does not equate an answer of 0.0 with an answer of 0. I ended up buying Feynman and Styer's books in order to make sense of what was presented in the online material. I would recommend buying the books rather than paying for a certificate for this course. You could audit the course for free if you are a more visual learner. Quantum Mechanics is notoriously counter intuitive and this course is the best of a bad lot. At least it is taken from good sources.
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Michael profile image
Michael profile image

Michael

10/10 starsCompleted
4 months ago
This was a great course. The instructor would personally respond to every question within a day and would even continue to respond to multiple follow-up questions. The tutorials were very easy to navigate and informative, and the videos were great. My knowledge of QM increased dramatically. Great course, and probably the gold standard for online courses. I doubt any other online courses could come close.
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Sakshi Jha profile image
Sakshi Jha profile image

Sakshi Jha

10/10 starsCompleted
6 months ago
'Quantum Mechanics For Everyone' is really a course that everyone with a little high school knowledge can fully understand. Everything has been kept simple but has not been watered down. For all those who want to be introduced to the bizarre world of the ultra-small, this course is a must! The instructor is great and the queries of students are answered satisfactorily and in a timely fashion. EdX is an amazing platform for such courses as it is easily accessible and has a user-friendly interface.
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Alex Jacoby profile image
Alex Jacoby profile image

Alex Jacoby

10/10 starsCompleted
7 months, 1 week ago
I worked in depth with this course as a reviewer for almost 6 months and have continued to work with similar material since... Dr. Freericks' pedagogical skills are evident, as he presents material clearly and by enlightening or unconventional means. Despite being taught without calculus or higher mathematics, the course material is rigorous and tightly crafted; the presentation is lucid; and the motivation and scale are compelling. I would very highly recommend this course to almost any learner who is willing to spend more than a trivial amount of time getting into the weeds but doesn't want to become too involved in the mathematical prerequisites. Succinctly: This course doesn't have exhaustive prerequisites and, consequently, requires a curious, astute student. It is, however, very rewarding to a motivated learner.
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Paul Morley profile image
Paul Morley profile image

Paul Morley

10/10 starsTaking Now
7 months, 1 week ago
Enjoying working through this. Works well as a MOCC, as some of the concepts in the videos sink in better after several viewings. Takes my level of understanding up a level, compared to earlier passive reading.
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Marek Gozdzielewski profile image
Marek Gozdzielewski profile image

Marek Gozdzielewski

10/10 starsCompleted
7 months, 2 weeks ago
Because I have only reached middle school and a high school diploma, and speak English fairly poorly, I have had great doubts about completing this course. Additionally, as a 60-year-old, I have had no contact with physics (at the intermediate level) for about 40 years. Now I have made it, with 97% success. I'm also about 97% sure (I've learned a lot about probabilities) that this is mainly due to the fantastic work of Prof. Freericks and his team. The tutorials were absolutely perfect, all very understandable, logical, phased. Not a word too little, and no unnecessary too much. The simulations are not only incredibly helpful in understanding problems but also elegant and simply chic. So that I - after I had already understood what was to be understood - out of sheer joy  had looked at the simulations a few more times. Thank you for your work, that was a fascinating and impressive experience!
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Jean Claude Guala profile image
Jean Claude Guala profile image

Jean Claude Guala

10/10 starsTaking Now
8 months ago
I think it is the best course or at least one of the best course I've enrolled in (It is my 10 th). Quantum mechanics is not the easiest subject and I am astonished by the quality of the presentation. From my point of view I can only imagine the amount of work involved to present "as simply as possible" the different subjects and to animate either phenomenon, principles, examples.... This is what I call "a clean" course. Teacher respect students, he does not try to show off, he does not make you feel like an "ignoramus". The levels of the "Practice questions" are on par with the presented subject. (I have not looked in the final exam questions).
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Michael Davis profile image
Michael Davis profile image
10/10 starsCompleted
  • 1 review
  • 1 completed
8 months ago
I enjoyed this course very much and would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in physics. It’s quantum mechanics concepts explained in words instead of calculus. There is some math involved as it’s necessary but nothing more complex than basic algebra. Great professor who stays involved to help with understanding the material.
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Joseph Cherian profile image
Joseph Cherian profile image

Joseph Cherian

10/10 starsTaking Now
8 months, 1 week ago
Excellent, even for an old learner like me (66 years)! Sometimes I get stuck at certain sections, but going over it again once or twice is enough to move on to the next section.
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Lisa Wenthere profile image
Lisa Wenthere profile image

Lisa Wenthere

6/10 starsDropped
8 months, 1 week ago
It did not hold my interest and multiple choice questions are not enhancing learning or creativity. The way the presentation was made is confusing with things in reality. It would be better to talk in abstract terms.
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Mariano Arias profile image
Mariano Arias profile image

Mariano Arias

10/10 starsTaking Now
8 months, 1 week ago
I finally begin to understand Quantum Mechanics. May be need some talk about the hardest points but in general i learn the things i ever looking for. Excellent course. Hope jdjfu jdh8o9 jdjjksdj ekererjejk
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Marcello La Rocca profile image
Marcello La Rocca profile image

Marcello La Rocca

10/10 starsTaking Now
8 months, 1 week ago
The course is extremely well thought, the instructor manages to make hard concepts easy to understand, and the most amazing thing is that he always replies to students in forums, and within a few hours or days. If a student struggles with a topic, the instructor manages to explain it in another way, and possibly yet another one, till everyone really gets a grasp. It's simply amazing. You can see the impact of the course from the discussions that arise on the forums: not just requests for help and clarification, but also advanced questions that goes beyond the scope of the course and even proposals for new experiments and ways to advance the field.
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Tania Tasopoulou profile image
Tania Tasopoulou profile image

Tania Tasopoulou

10/10 starsTaking Now
8 months, 1 week ago
I took the course out of curiosity and I love it! My background is psychology, nothing to do with the topic, and yet I am able to fully understand the concepts and follow the course with no problem. The way the course is structured helps you to build your knowledge on the subject; from simple concepts to the more complex ones. I really enjoy the learning experience with it.
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Peter Kwok profile image
Peter Kwok profile image

Peter Kwok

10/10 starsCompleted
8 months, 1 week ago
I think I reviewed this course mid-way! My opinion is still the same now at the finish line! Excellent content! Excellent presentation! If something is left to be wanted, it may be more background research! I have some doubts about some experiments and some mathematics!
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ALFONSO REDAL profile image
ALFONSO REDAL profile image

ALFONSO REDAL

10/10 starsCompleted
8 months, 1 week ago
Nice lectures, always focused in sense making of what in reality is impossible for us to understand. Very good simulations, which are key to get rid of the maths involved and still understand what's going on at quantum scale. Congratulations and many thanks.
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Veska Davidova profile image
Veska Davidova profile image
10/10 starsCompleted
  • 1 review
  • 1 completed
8 months, 1 week ago
Exceptional course! Perfectly balanced, illustrated. Never believed such a topic can be delivered in a understandable format. Thank you guys! It helps to broaden the knowlede in statistic and physics as a whole.
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robert phelps profile image
robert phelps profile image

robert phelps

10/10 starsTaking Now
8 months, 1 week ago
The thing that makes this course outstanding is the simulations. This is the future of technical and mathematical instruction. It is far easier to understand concepts presented as models that can be played with then to have to build your own mental model of the same concepts.
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Samuel Lukudu profile image
Samuel Lukudu profile image
10/10 starsTaking Now
  • 1 review
  • 0 completed
8 months, 1 week ago
I loved the course. And finally, I have been able to know about the randomness in the quantum realm. This is a great experience because, I feel like i can now talk about quantum mechanics like a pro. I like the probability and the problems that I had to tackle. The best thing is knowing that atoms are stupid
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Kwan Lam Shui profile image
Kwan Lam Shui profile image

Kwan Lam Shui

10/10 starsCompleted
8 months, 1 week ago
Great course. It is very fruitful and very well presented in a step by step manner and also given us a clear picture of the history about like who invented the theory etc. On the whole, the revision of the basic probabilty concepts was adequate and well presented. Well done!
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ARIADNA HERNANDEZ profile image
ARIADNA HERNANDEZ profile image

ARIADNA HERNANDEZ

10/10 starsTaking Now
8 months, 1 week ago
The course is very good, its content is extensive but very well explained, I did not have good bases on the subject and still I can understand it, even with my level of English which is intermediate. The videos help me to visualize the idea and I like that they leave seconds to think about the result and then continue the exercise, it is easier to see if you understand and follow motivating you to move forward. I recommend it
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Andres Acosta profile image
Andres Acosta profile image

Andres Acosta

10/10 starsTaking Now
8 months, 1 week ago
This course is great! Even when you have no knowledge about Quantum Mechanics, the way in which teacher give you information makes it understandable and really fun to learn. Definitely recommend it to anyone with interest in the subject!
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Irwin Weiss profile image
Irwin Weiss profile image

Irwin Weiss

10/10 starsCompleted
8 months, 2 weeks ago
I'm and ophthalmologist and I always wanted to understand light. Of course I can't obtain a physicist understanding but I wanted more. This course used science videos, high school math, and history. I didn't care that I missed so many "course questions". I realized that I really was learning a ton and I was always excited to get to the next course lesson. Definitely a 5 star course for anyone who wants to more than a peek into the quantum aspects of light.
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Zachary Hughes profile image
Zachary Hughes profile image

Zachary Hughes

10/10 starsCompleted
8 months, 3 weeks ago
Unique in that it gets you towards an intuitive understanding rather than a purely abstract or purely mathematical understanding. Parts of the course are challenging but none of them are impossible without a little bit of time and effort. Some math, nothing crazy so there's not a minimum "buy in" of calculus or diffeq.
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Sandy D'Annunzio profile image
Sandy D'Annunzio profile image

Sandy D'Annunzio

10/10 starsCompleted
8 months, 4 weeks ago
This is an absolutely wonderful course! I had made prior attempts to learn about QM without success. But this course presented the essentials with such clarity and simplicity that it actually helped me develop some *intuition* for quantum behavior that seems so completely foreign and non-intuitive at first. The video lectures, interactive simulations, amazing real experiment videos, and even the practice questions all contributed to my learning experience. It is definitely NOT “dumbed down”. Just carefully focused, and very accessible. And, best of all, Professor Freericks is extremely active in the discussion forum, answering questions and offering expert guidance.
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Nevzat Gizer profile image
Nevzat Gizer profile image

Nevzat Gizer

10/10 starsCompleted
9 months ago
The instructor, James Freericks and his team prepared a very great course. Its a hard subject and Freericks divided the subject to just enough bits to make sure that everything is understood. The interactive tutorials and practice questions helped a great deal. This course might the the best option out there to start learning Quantum Mechanics other then actually studying at a University. Cannot wait the sequel. Thank you very much for all the effort that has been put in the class.
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Mario Fernandez profile image
Mario Fernandez profile image

Mario Fernandez

10/10 starsTaking Now
9 months, 1 week ago
Excellent course, tutorials and video-content are very good, clear and understandable. I'm certainly looking forward to a sequel. I appreciate the amount of work that has been done to achieve such a high pedagogical standard.
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Surachai Jodpimai profile image
Surachai Jodpimai profile image
10/10 starsCompleted
  • 2 reviews
  • 2 completed
9 months, 2 weeks ago
I completed this course last year. It's the best quantum mechanics course that I've ever learned. This course will give you a deep understanding the meaning of quantum mechanics without any complex mathematics. It’s fantastic.
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W Wagner profile image
W Wagner profile image

W Wagner

10/10 starsCompleted
10 months, 2 weeks ago
Great Course! Well organized and structured. It's clear that much careful thought went into its development. It covers all the basics using a combination of text, videos and demonstrations/tutorials. These latter are beautifully designed, executed and easy to use by the student. They take the novice step-by-step through the various experiments and results. Looking forward to a sequel!
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Ioannis Kanellopoulos profile image
Ioannis Kanellopoulos profile image

Ioannis Kanellopoulos

10/10 starsCompleted
10 months, 3 weeks ago
This is together a simple and very powerful course. It gives you the opportunity to learn a pioneer work in quantum mechanics without a lot of effort. Furthermore the assistance from the discussion forum by the professor was constantly, even in holidays. I strongly recomend this course because it gives you a very good idea about how a quantum system work. Finally I would like to thank professor and all the staff for that beautiful result in teaching of quantum mechanics.
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Rankings are based on a provider's overall CourseTalk score, which takes into account both average rating and number of ratings. Stars round to the nearest half.

See more details on edX