Department of Physics

PHY 525: Statistical Physics I

Course Information

Please note that exact details of the course can vary

 Professor:Dr. Gerhard Muller

Semester: Fall in alternate years
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: PHY420 or PHY510 (readily waived by permission numbers)

Catalog Description: Equilibrium thermodynamics. Thermodynamics of phase transitions. Elements of kinetic theory. Statistical ensembles and partition functions. Classical and quantum equilibrium statistical mechanics.

Course Goals & Outcomes

Upon completion, successful students will be able to:

• Understand important topics of statistical physics
• Further develop critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Conduct physics research on a better foundation

Course Description

This course meets 3 times per week for lecture.
Topics covered in this course include:

• Equilibrium thermodynamics
• Thermodynamics of phase transitions
• Kinetic theory
• Equilibrium statistical mechanics with classical and quantum applications

Detailed topics outline

Lecture notes on the Digital Commons

Course syllabus : Fall 2019

Contact Information: Dr. Gerhard Muller 

LEC: (3 crs.) Equilibrium thermodynamics. Thermodynamics of phase transitions. Elements of kinetic theory. Statistical ensembles and partition functions. Classical and quantum equilibrium statistical mechanics. (Lec. 3) Pre: PHY 420 or equivalent, PHY 510.