Statistical Physics (FYS340)

The course gives an introduction to statistical physics.


Course description for study year 2025-2026. Please note that changes may occur.

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

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

The oral exam is individual.

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

Mathematics and Physics - Five Year Integrated Master's Degree Programme
Exchange programme at Faculty of Science and Technology

Course assessment

There must be an early dialogue between the course supervisor, the student union representative and the students. The purpose is feedback from the students for changes and adjustments in the course for the current semester.In addition, a digital course evaluation must be carried out at least every three years. Its purpose is to gather the students experiences with the course.

Literature

Search for literature in Leganto