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Caltech Course Catalog / 2025-2026 Catalog / Courses 2025-26 / Philosophical Issues in Quantum Physics

HPS/Pl 125 - Philosophical Issues in Quantum Physics

HPS/Pl 125

Philosophical Issues in Quantum Physics

9 units (3-0-6)   |  third term
Prerequisites: Ph 2 b, Ph 12 b, or Ch 21 a.

This course will focus on philosophical and foundational questions raised by quantum physics. Questions may include: Is quantum mechanics a local theory? Is the theory deterministic or indeterministic? What is the role of measurement and observation? Does the wave function always obey the Schrödinger equation? Does the wave function give a complete description of the state of a system? Are there parallel universes? How are we to understand quantum probabilities?

Instructor: Sebens
Published Date: Aug. 19, 2025