Syllabus Application
PHYS 541
Statistical Mechanics I
Faculty
Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences
Semester
Spring 2025-2026
Course
PHYS 541 -
Statistical Mechanics I
Time/Place
Time
Week Day
Place
Date
10:40-12:30
Tue
FASS-G056
Feb 16-May 22, 2026
08:40-09:30
Thu
FASS-1081
Feb 16-May 22, 2026
Level of course
Masters
Course Credits
SU Credit:3, ECTS:10
Prerequisites
-
Corequisites
-
Course Type
Lecture
Instructor(s) Information
Alhun Aydın
- Email: alhun.aydin@sabanciuniv.edu
Course Information
Catalog Course Description
Laws of thermodynamics and its applications. Classical kinetic theory and Boltzmann's equation. Micro-canonical, canonical and macro-canonical distribution functions. Ideal quantum gases. Applications of statistical mechanics in solid state, nuclear physics, and astrophysics.
Course Learning Outcomes:
| 1. | Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: Describe the properties of probability distributions. |
|---|---|
| 2. | Describe the laws of thermodynamics and discuss applications to different physical systems. |
| 3. | Explain the kinetic theory and discuss the relations between microscopic and macroscopic properties of a system in equilibrium. . |
| 4. | Explain the properties of micro-canonical, canonical and macro-canonical ensembles and distribution functions. |
| 5. | Explain and derive the statistical properties of ideal classical and quantum gasses. |
| 6. | Discuss applications of statistical mechanics in solid state, nuclear physics and astrophysics to systems in equilibrium. |
Course Objective
Refer to the course content.
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Course Materials
Resources:
R.K. Pathria and P.D. Beale, Statistical Mechanics, 4th edition, Academic Press, 2022
F.Reif, Fundamentals of Statistical and Thermal Physics, Waveland Press, 2010.
C.Kittel and H.Kroemer, Thermal Physics, 2nd edition, W.H.Freeman and Company, 1980.
F.Reif, Fundamentals of Statistical and Thermal Physics, Waveland Press, 2010.
C.Kittel and H.Kroemer, Thermal Physics, 2nd edition, W.H.Freeman and Company, 1980.