Statistical Physics and Thermodynamics 171.312 Fall 2011
This course is a one-semester
introduction to statistical mechanics and thermodynamics. The basic physical
concepts and methods appropriate for the description of many-particle systems
will be presented at an advanced undergraduate level.
Graduate students in physics, astronomy, chemistry and engineering should find
this course to be a worthwhile review of already encountered material as well
as a useful introduction into more advanced topics such as quantum statistics
and superconductivity.
Class announcements
| Midterm |
Friday, October 21 |
| Final |
9:00 am - 12 noon on Monday, December 12 |
Class hours and Location
| Lectures |
MF 1:30 PM - 2: 45 PM Bloomberg 361 |
| Conference |
W 1:30 PM - 2:20 PM Bloomberg 176 |
Lecturer and TA info
| People |
Professor Chuck Bennett |
TA: Damien Benveniste |
| Office |
Bloomberg room 209 |
Bloomberg room 357 |
| Email |
cbennett@jhu.edu |
dbenveni@pha.jhu.edu |
| Office hours |
TBA Wednesday |
TBA |
Textbooks
| Requiered |
Thermal Physics by Charles Kittel and H. Kroemer |
| useful textbook |
Fundamentals of Statistical and Thermal Physics by Frederick Reif |
Grading
The overall course grade will be based on homework, set approximately weekly, one
midterm exam, and a final exam. These will count for 30%, 30% and 40% respectively.
The aim of the homework is to help you understand the coursework, so students are
encouraged to discuss class material together, but homework must be completed alone.
The final exam will be in the 9:00 am - 12 noon slot on Monday, December 12, as
specified by the Office of the Registrar.
