THERMAL PHYSICS

Prerequisites & course information

Requisites: ( PHYSICS 205 , 241 , 249 , or PHYSICS/E C E 235 ) and PHYSICS 311 , or graduate/professional standing Course Designation: Core GenEd - Natural Science & Wellness + Lab Breadth - Physical Science Level - Advanced L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Fall 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. use aspects of probability and statistics to describe the basic thermodynamic properties of macroscopic systems, and interactions between systems Audience: Undergraduate 2. use the principles of statistical analysis to explain equilibrium between systems, and thermodynamic reservoirs Audience: Undergraduate 3. use macroscopic system parameters to calculate general properties of homogeneous systems using Maxwell relations Audience: Undergraduate 4. explain and use the canonical distribution to calculate the properties of systems in contact with a heat reservoir Audience: Undergraduate 5. use the partition function approach to calculate properties of systems. Audience: Undergraduate 6. calculate the properties of systems undergoing phase transitions Audience: Undergraduate 7. use quantum statistics to calculate the properties of non-interacting quantum systems Audience: Undergraduate Learning Outcomes: 1. use aspects of probability and statistics to describe the basic thermodynamic properties of macroscopic systems, and interactions between systems Audience: Undergraduate 2. use the principles of statistical analysis to explain equilibrium between systems, and thermodynamic reservoirs Audience: Undergraduate 3. use macroscopic system parameters to calculate general properties of homogeneous systems using Maxwell relations Audience: Undergraduate 4. explain and use the canonical distribution to calculate the properties of systems in contact with a heat reservoir Audience: Undergraduate 5. use the partition function approach to calculate properties of systems. Audience: Undergraduate 6. calculate the properties of systems undergoing phase transitions Audience: Undergraduate 7. use quantum statistics to calculate the properties of non-interacting quantum systems Audience: Undergraduate