PHY3203 Advanced Statistical Physics
2010-2011
Code: PHY3203
Level: 3
Title: Advanced Statistical Physics
Instructors: Staff of Foreign Host Institution
CATS Credit Value: 15
ECTS Credit Value: 7.5
Pre-requisites: N/A
Co-requisites: N/A
Duration: As agreed
Availability: Physics programmes with study abroad only
Background Assumed: Statistical Physics (
PHY2201)
Directed Study Time: 45 lectures (approx)
Private Study Time: 105 hours (approx)
Assessment Tasks Time: -
Observation report: N/A
Aims
This module aims to develop links between microscopic and macroscopic
systems in order to describe the energy and thermal properties of
collections of atoms in terms of the microscopic properties of their
constituents.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Students should be able to:
Module Specific Skills
- explain thermodynamic concepts, including the ideas
of reversibility, thermal equilibrium under various
conditions and entropy;
- explain the concepts of statistical mechanics;
- describe the thermal properties (e.g. specific
heat and distribution functions) of generic materials (e.g.
insulators, metals, paramagnets, and Fermi and Bose systems) based
on simple models of their basic constituents;
- calculate the average occupation of the energy states
of a large collection of non-interacting atoms;
- use the techniques of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics to solve problems.
Discipline Specific Skills
- solve mathematical problems;
- study successfully within the system of an overseas university.
Personal and Key Skills
- manage their own learning and make appropriate use of support material.
Learning / Teaching Methods
These follow local practice at the host institution, typically lectures
and/or directed self-study. Courses may also include
laboratory exercises and homework problems.
Assignments
Follow host institution's conventions
Assessment
As specified by host institution, typically homework assignments and a final
examination.
Syllabus Plan and Content
- Review of thermodynamics and the statistical description of equilibrium
- Thermal interaction
- Microscopic theory and macroscopic measurements
- Canonical distribution
- Thermodynamic interaction, phase transitions
- Elementary kinetic theory of transport
- Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein distributions; black-body photon
radiation
Recommended Modules and Texts in Host Institution
| Host Institution | Module | Text |
|---|
| Auckland | Physics 315 (S2) | D.V. Schroeder, Introduction to Thermal Physics |
| Central Michigan | 450 (Spring) | K. Stowe, Introduction to Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics |
| Iowa State | 531 (Fall) | R. K. Pathria, Statistical Mechanics |
| Kansas | 671 (Fall) | D. Kondepudi and I. Prigogine, Modern Thermodynamics |
| Massey | 124.327 (S1) | C. Kittel and H. Kroemer, Thermal Physics |
| New Mexico | 505 (Spring) | K. Huang, Statistical Mechanics |
| Sydney | 3956 (1) | M.W. Zemansky and R.H. Dittman, Heat and Thermodynamics |
| Wollongong | 385 (Spring) | C. Kittel and H. Kroemer, Thermal Physics |
Core Text
Not applicable
Supplementary Text(s)
Not applicable
Formative Mechanisms
Follow host institution's conventions.
Evaluation Mechanisms
In addition to using the host institution's systems, students
can raise any matters of concern with the
Stage 3 Study
Abroad Co-ordinator.
