Course Identification

1. A brief review of concepts from thermodynamics and statistics.
2. Basic concepts of statistical mechanics.
3. Ensemble theory-classical approach.
4. Classical ideal gas and other applications.
5. Ensemble theory-quantum mechanical approach.
6. Quantum ensemble theory.
7. Quantum ideal gases (Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein) with applications to electron gases, thermal radiation, cosmological background radiation etc.
8. Phase transitions.

Upon successful completion of the course students will be able to:

Demonstrate proficiency in the basic concepts of statistical physics and their applications in other branches of physics such as astrophysics, condensed matter physics and chemical physics.