Re-envisioning how we teach quantum mechanics in a Modern Physics class

A typical modern physics curriculum usually;ly involves a few weeks of special relativity, followed by nearly a semester of quantum mechanics, and then applications in a number of areas, including astrophysics, solid-state physics, nuclear physics, and particle physics. Usually, the way quantum is introduced is to essentially tell the student that it is completely different from classical physics and so one must re-learn how to do everything. This seems both inappropriate and incorrect. At Georgetown University, we have begin a project to re-envision how quantum mechanics can be introduced to physics majors by emphasizing classical descriptions and how they are modified in a quantum context. The program was piloted last Fall in a modern physics class and we are working on both creating a textbook and additional educational materials for this effort. I will report on the success of this effort so far and also where you can see the materials we are creatling. Some of them are also appropriate for use in quantum units within introductory classes for instructors who may wish to modernize their introductory content. In this talk, I will summarize the philosophy we use in developing the curriculum and provide a brief report on the initial implementation.