Text Introduction to Modern Statistical Mechanics, David Chandler, Oxford University Press, Inc., 1987

Reading Thermodynamics, Kinetic Theory, and Statistical Thermodynamics, Francis W. Sears and Gerhard L. Salinger, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 3^rd Edition, 1975

Thermal Physics, Daniel V. Schroeder, Addison-Wesley, 2000

Objective PHY 330 is a junior or senior level course in statistical mechanics. The course introduces statistical mechanics principles covering classical and quantum statistics with no assumption of thermodynamics knowledge. The basic principles of thermodynamics and probability will be covered. Students will be introduced to the concept of ensembles, the Ising model and the Monte Carlo method. Relevant properties of Fermions and Bosons will be covered.

Expectations At the end of this course, students will be able to:

Understand basic thermodynamic laws

Determine the probability of events occurring in different situations

Understand the statistics of systems as an ensemble

Distinguish between one and two dimensional phase transitions

Have a working knowledge of the monte carlo method

Handle some applications involving multiple integrals

Write simple pseudo-codes

Policy Homework (and quizzes (if any)) 35%

Tests (3) 45%

Final 20%

Grading Scale 90 – 100% A 4.0

85 – <90% B+ 3.5

80 – <85% B 3.0

75 – <80% C+ 2.5

70 – <75% C 2.0

60 – <70% D 1.0

Below 60% F 0.0

Class Policies All parts of this syllabus are tentative and subject to revision at anytime during the semester.

Attendance is not mandatory but is highly encouraged.

Enough time is given for homework. Thus no late homework will be accepted. If for some reason you will not be in class on the day the homework is scheduled to be handed in, please arrange to hand it in earlier or have someone bring it to class for you.

All students are bound by the Mercer University honor code

Students are strongly encouraged to discuss progress in the course with the instructor regularly.

All questions are welcomed in and out of class. If you see me anywhere and you have a question, please do not hesitate to ask.

In the event of an emergency and a test is missed, arrangements will be made for you to do a make-up test.

All test dates and homework assignment due dates will be announced in class in reasonable time.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for this course as required under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act and subject to the criteria and procedures used by the Student Development office.

Students who believe that they possess disabilities for which accommodation is required must inform the instructor at the close of their first class meeting. They must then indicate the nature of their disability and the sort of reasonable accommodation requested. If you believe that you possess a disability for which reasonable accommodation must be made, you must consult with the instructor of this class after your first class meeting. You will then identify the disability, and the reasonable accommodation requested. The instructor will refer you to the office of the Dean of Students for evaluation, documentation of your disability, and a recommendation as to the accommodation, if any, to be provided. If you do NOT consult with the instructor and follow up at the office of the Dean of Students, as provided above, you will thereby waive any claim to a disability and the right to any accommodation pertaining thereto.