Statistical Physics (FYS340)

The course gives an introduction to statistical physics.


Course description for study year 2025-2026

See course description and exam/assesment information for this semester (2024-2025)
Facts

Course code

FYS340

Version

1

Credits (ECTS)

10

Semester tution start

Spring

Number of semesters

1

Exam semester

Spring

Language of instruction

English, Norwegian

Offered by
Time table

View course schedule

Admission requirements

Science and mathematics qualification (REALFA) / Higher engineering education (HING)

Content

The course provides a comprehensive introduction to the theoretical foundations of statistical physics and its connections to thermodynamics. Topics covered include the statistical definitions of temperature and entropy, microstates and macrostates, statistical ensembles and the partition function, the density matrix and Fock space, theory of free classical and quantum gases, Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac statistics, phase transitions, and spin models.

Learning outcome

After completing the course, students should:

K1: Have a solid understanding of core concepts in statistical physics and thermodynamics, and comprehend the connection between microstates and macrostates in thermodynamic systems.

F1: Be able to compute thermodynamic quantities and correlation functions in equilibrium for both quantum mechanical and classical models in statistical mechanics, using various techniques and approximations.

F2: Be capable of performing simple numerical Monte Carlo simulations of basic statistical physics models.

G1: Understand the broad range of applications of statistical physics in various fields of science and in everyday life.

Required prerequisite knowledge

FYS200 Thermo- and Fluid Dynamics, STA100 Probability and Statistics 1

Recommended prerequisites

FYS320 Quantum Mechanics, FYS330 Micro Physics

Exam

Form of assessment Weight Duration Marks Aid
Oral exam 1/1 30 Minutes Letter grades

Coursework requirements

Oral Presentation

Course teacher(s)

Course coordinator:

Eero Aleksi Kurkela

Head of Department:

Bjørn Henrik Auestad

Method of work

6 hours lectures/ exercises per week. Language: English. 

Overlapping courses

Course Reduction (SP)
Statistical Physics and Solid State Physics (FYS310_1) 5

Open for

Battery and Energy Engineering - Bachelor in Engineering Biological Chemistry - Biotechnology - Bachelor's Degree Programme Civil Engineering - Bachelor in Engineering Computer Science - Bachelor in Engineering Computer Science - Bachelor in Engineering, Part-Time Electrical Engineering - Bachelor's Degree Programme, part-time Electrical Engineering - Bachelor's Degree Programme Energy and Petroleum Engineering - Bachelor in Engineering Geosciences and Energy Resources - Bachelor in Engineering Environmental Engineering - Bachelor in Engineering Mechanical Engineering - Bachelor in Engineering Medical Technology - Bachelor in Engineering Medical Technology - Bachelor in Engineering - part time Advanced teacher education for level 8-13 in science Mathematics and Physics - Five Year Integrated Master's Degree Programme
Exchange programme at Faculty of Science and Technology
Mathematics - One-Year Programme Science and Technology - One-Year programme

Course assessment

The faculty decides whether early dialogue should be conducted in all or selected groups of courses offered by the faculty. The purpose is to gather feedback from students for making changes and adjustments to the course during the current semester. In addition, a digital evaluation, students’ course evaluation, must be conducted at least once every three years. Its purpose is to collect students` experiences with the course.

Literature

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