Public View

You are viewing the public version of the syllabus. If you have a SUNet account, you can view the richer version of the syllabus after logging in.

PHYS 412
Statistical Mechanics

Faculty Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences
Semester Spring 2025-2026
Course PHYS 412 - Statistical Mechanics
Time/Place
Time
Week Day
Place
Date
13:40-14:30
Tue
FENS-G015
Feb 16-May 22, 2026
09:40-11:30
Thu
FENS-G015
Feb 16-May 22, 2026
Level of course Undergraduate
Course Credits SU Credit:3, ECTS:6, Basic:6
Prerequisites -
Corequisites
Course Type Lecture

Instructor(s) Information

Ersin Göğüş

Course Information

Catalog Course Description
The statistical basis of thermodynamics; basic probability concepts in statistical mechanics and quantum mechanics; elementary kinetic theory; classical microcanonical, canonical and grand canonical ensembles; classical ideal gas; equipartition of energy; quantum mechanical ensembles; ideal Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein systems, and some other applications.
Course Learning Outcomes:
1. Apply basic probability concepts in statistical mechanics,
2. Evaluate statistical description of systems of particles,
3. Summarize statistical basis of thermodynamics,
4. Perform calculations using basic methods of statistical mechanics,
5. Distinguish quantum statistics of ideal gases.
Course Objective
The objective of Statistical Mechanics is to obtain macroscopic properties of matter (like density, temperature, pressure, etc) from microscopic properties of the system. The physics at the microscopic level is inherently statistical, yet, one can conduct measurements of certain average properties of the system. Basic thermodynamics and its relation to statistical mechanics is also included in the class material.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Related to This Course:
Affordable and Clean Energy

Course Materials

Resources:
Technology Requirements:

Policies