Skip to main content

Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin

Trinity Menu Trinity Search



You are here Courses > Undergraduate > Courses & Modules

MAU34406 Statistical physics II

Module Code MAU34406
Module Title Statistical physics II
Semester taught Semester 2
ECTS Credits 5
Module Lecturer Prof. Manuela Kulaxizi
Module Prerequisites MAU34405 Statistical physics I

Assessment Details

  • This module is examined in a 2-hour examination at the end of Semester 2.
  • Continuous assessment contributes 20% towards the overall mark.
  • Any failed components are reassessed, if necessary, by an exam in the reassessment session.

Contact Hours

11 weeks of teaching with 3 lectures and 1 tutorial per week.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to

  • Explain the difference between fermions and bosons and work out the consequences for N-particle systems at low temperatures.
  • Make content with the classical regime at high temperatures and/or low particle densities.
  • Apply the formalism of statistical physics to systems without particle number conservation (e.g. photons and phonons).
  • Apply the formalism of quantum statistical physics to magnetic spin systems.
  • Carry out a mean field analysis of spin systems.

Recommended Reading

  • Statistical mechanics by Pathria and Beale.
  • Lectures on phase transitions and the renormalisation group by Nigel Goldenfeld.
  • Statistical physics by Landau and Lifshitz.