Course Syllabus

CLASS TIME & PLACE: M,W, & F Period 7 (1:55 - 2:45 PM PM) in NPB#1002

INSTRUCTOR:  Yoonseok Lee (NPB#2233)

TA:  Boran Yesilyurt (NPB#2066, b.yesilyurt@ufl.edu)

OFFICE HOURS: Tue P6, W P8.  Feel free to contact to arrange a meeting outside the regular office hours.

TEXTBOOK: Statistical Mechanics, 2nd Ed by Roger Bowley & Mariana Sanchez

REFERENCE: Fundamentals of Statistical and Thermal Physics by F. Reif

PREREQUISITES: PHY3513, PHY4604, Diff. Eq. 

COURSE SCHEDULE

DESCRIPTION: The course is the second of the PHY3513-4523 sequence. With the knowledge of thermodynamics, we will develop techniques with which various thermodynamic quantities can be calculated for classical and quantum mechanical systems. 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLO's)  The laws of physics are the starting point for most scientific research and engineering applications. Students majoring in physics obtain broad-based knowledge and expertise applying these laws, as well as hands-on experience building electronic equipment and performing experiments, allowing them to pursue a wide range of educational and employment opportunities after graduation.  In this course, based on the knowledge of classical thermodynamics, students will learn how to incorporate statistical concept in understanding macroscopic physical systems, to develop techniques to calculate various thermodynamic quantities from the microscopic information of the thermodynamic system, and to apply these techniques to various examples in classical and quantum systems.  The students will establish solid foundation on  

• Concept of microstates and ensembles
• Partition function
• Open system and chemical potential
• Quantum statistics
• Phase transitions

EXPECTATION: It is expected that students are comfortable with calculus I and II: vector calculus,  differentiation, integration, and trigonometry. Students should also be able to solve ordinary differential equations and will be gaining knowledge on geometry of space, multi-variable calculus, partial derivatives, line and surface integral.  It is also expected that students read textbook chapters thoroughly at least once preferably before the class and review lectures timely.  Students should work on HW problems diligently.  On average 3 - 5 hours per week of full attention on this course (outside of the classes) would be required. 

GRADING:
Homework     HW problems will be assigned bi-weekly.  Students should upload their work in PDF in Canvas. HW solutions will be distributed through e-mail.   HW dues are on Mondays.  Selected HW problems will be tested in the exams. 

Exams    There will be total 3 exams (2 mid-terms and 1 final).   Two mid-term exams (20 pts each) will be given on Wednesdays in class.  The cumulative final exam (30 pts) will be given during the assigned final exam time.  Please check the Course Calendar for the exam time and date.

Worksheets  There will be 6 worksheets to be completed during the class.  Each worksheet carries 3 points.  Srudents are allowed to use the textbook and notes, and to discuss with your friends.  Grading of worksheets will focus on the effort.  

Policy on missed Exam and Make-up exam:
Consistent with university policies that can be found at https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/attendance.aspx. 

Acceptable reasons for absence from or failure to engage in class include illness; Title IX-related situations; serious accidents or emergencies affecting the student, their roommates, or their family; special curricular requirements (e.g., judging trips, field trips, professional conferences); military obligation; severe weather conditions that prevent class participation; religious holidays; participation in official university activities (e.g., music performances, athletic competition, debate); and  court-imposed legal obligations (e.g., jury duty or subpoena).  Other reasons (e.g., a job interview or club activity) may be deemed acceptable if approved by the instructor.

For all unplanned absences because of accidents or emergency situations, students should contact their instructor as soon as conditions permit.

Composition of Grade (Total 100)

Projected Grading Scale*

*The passing grade for Physics majors is C and above. 

STUDENTS with DISABILITIES: Students who require accommodation for disabilities must first contact the Dean of Students Office. That office will provide documentation, which the student must bring to his/her instructors during the first week of the semester. Contact the Disability Resources Center for information about available resources for students with disabilities.

COUNSELING and MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES: Student facing difficulties completing the course or in need of counseling should call the on-campus Counseling and Wellness Center at (352) 392 1575.

ACADEMIC HONESTY: Each student is expected to hold himself/herself to a high standard of academic honesty. Under the UF academic honesty policy, unauthorized assistance or the use of unauthorized resources is strictly forbidden on work-for-credit. Although discussions among the students are highly encouraged, you are to work alone on all homework assignments unless specified differently. Fabrication or falsification of excuses or related documentation is also a violation of the UF academic honesty policy.  Violations of this policy will be dealt with severely. There will be no warnings or exceptions.

ONLINE COURSE EVALUATION: Students are expected to provide professional and respectful feedback on the quality of instruction in this course by completing course evaluations online via GatorEvals. Guidance on how to give feedback in a professional and respectful manner is available at https://gatorevals.aa.ufl.edu/students/. Students will be notified when the evaluation period opens, and can complete evaluations through the email they receive from GatorEvals, in their Canvas course menu under GatorEvals, or via https://ufl.bluera.com/ufl/. Summaries of course evaluation results are available to students at https://gatorevals.aa.ufl.edu/public-results/.