Spring 2023 - PHYS 841 G100

Statistical Mechanics (3)

Class Number: 1635

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 4 – Apr 11, 2023: Mon, Wed, Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    PHYS 445 or equivalent.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Review of ensembles and thermodynamics, ideal gases, imperfect classical gases, classical and modern theories of phase transitions, renormalization group. Course offered regularly.

COURSE DETAILS:

Topics to be covered:

•                 Statistical ensembles and thermodynamics

•                 Quantum statistics

•                 Superfluidity

•                 Phase transitions, Mean Field and Landau Theory

•                 Critical phenomena, renormalization group theory

•                 Spontaneous symmetry breaking and topological defects

Grading

  • Homework 40%
  • Midterm 20%
  • Final exam 40%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Required Text:
Kerson Huang, Statistical Mechanics (2nd ed.)

Recommended text:
I. Herbut, Modern approach to critical phenomena

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html