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327-0315-00L 3 Credits BSC D-MATL

Statistical Thermodynamics

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Lucio Isa, Dr. Robert Style
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:07:54

Abstract

Foundations and applications of equilibrium thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, supplemented by an elementary theory of transport phenomena.

Objective

The course provides a solid working knowledge in thermodynamics (as the appropriate language for treating a variety of problems in materials science) and in statistical mechanics (as a systematic tool to find thermodynamic potentials for specific problems)

Resources

Lecture Notes

A guideline and a summary will be provided on the course website

Literature

H. B. Callen, Thermodynamics and an Introduction to Thermostatistics, 2nd edition, Wiley, 1985. K. Huang, Introduction to Statistical Physics, CRC Press, 2nd edition 2010. R. Kjellander, Thermodynamics Kept Simple - A Molecular Approach, CRC Press, 2016. R. Piazza, Statistical Physics, Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2017

General Information

Language
English
Levels
BSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
session examination
Mode
written 120 minutes
Aids
simple calculator without programming featuressubject-neutral dictionaryformula sheet provided by the lecturers
The final exam is a written exam (120 minutes) where students are asked to solve exercises.There are two Interim written examinations on Moodle: 30 minutes each, adding up to 20% of the final grade, if grade in the examination is higher than final grade. The interim exams will consist of multiple choice questions testing the students' knowledge of fundamental concepts discussed in the course.The total grade is calculated according to the following criteria:- if the grade in one interim exam is greater than the final exam grade, thenG_tot= 0,9 x G_fin + 0,1 x G_int1- if the grade in two interim exams is greater than the final exam grade, thenG_tot= 0,8 x G_fin + 0,1 x G_int1 + 0,1 x G_int2- if the grade of the final exam is greater than the grades in both interim exams, thenG_tot= G_fin

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Statistical Thermodynamics No time listed 3 h weekly

Offered In