Syllabus Application
MAT 501
Thermodynamics
Faculty
Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences
Semester
Fall 2025-2026
Course
MAT 501 -
Thermodynamics
Time/Place
Time
Week Day
Place
Date
12:40-14:30
Mon
FENS-G032
Sep 29, 2025-Jan 3, 2026
12:40-13:30
Thu
FENS-L062
Sep 29, 2025-Jan 3, 2026
Level of course
Masters
Course Credits
SU Credit:3, ECTS:10
Prerequisites
-
Corequisites
-
Course Type
Lecture
Instructor(s) Information
Ali Rana Atılgan
- Email: atilgan@sabanciuniv.edu
Course Information
Catalog Course Description
The nature of thermodynamics and the basis of thermostatistics. Postulates of thermodynamics. Conditions of equilibrium. The Euler equation and Gibbs-Duhem relation. Reversible processes and the maximum work theorem. Legendre transformations. The extremum principles for the thermodynamic potentials. Maxwell relations. Stability of thermodynamic systems. First order phase transitions. Critical phenomena. The Nernst postulate. Irreversible thermodynamics postulate. Irreversible thermodynamics.
Course Learning Outcomes:
| 1. | Describe the thermodynamics related parts of a given problem, and provide a solution to the problem using basic thermodynaics knowledge. |
|---|---|
| 2. | In particulari a fine grasp of the laws of thermodynamics and stability must be established. |
Course Objective
To introduce thermodynamics from a purely theoretical perspective, and to equip the student with the tools to tackle all sorts of problems related to equilibrium thermodynamics.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Related to This Course:
| Affordable and Clean Energy |
Course Materials
Resources:
Textbooks:
Callen, H.B., Thermodynamics and an Introduction to Thermostatistics, Wiley, 2nd Ed., 1985. QC311 .C35 1985.
Fermi, E., Thermodynamics, Dover, 1956. QC311 .F47 2010.
References:
Reif, F., Fundamentals of statistical and thermal physics. McGraw-Hill, 1965. QC175 .R44 1965.
Gaskell, D.R., Introduction to the thermodynamics of materials, Taylor & Francis, 4th Ed., 2003. TN673 .G37 1995.
Callen, H.B., Thermodynamics and an Introduction to Thermostatistics, Wiley, 2nd Ed., 1985. QC311 .C35 1985.
Fermi, E., Thermodynamics, Dover, 1956. QC311 .F47 2010.
References:
Reif, F., Fundamentals of statistical and thermal physics. McGraw-Hill, 1965. QC175 .R44 1965.
Gaskell, D.R., Introduction to the thermodynamics of materials, Taylor & Francis, 4th Ed., 2003. TN673 .G37 1995.