PHYS 4488

Last Updated

  • Schedule of Classes - July 2, 2025 11:52AM EDT
  • Course Catalog - March 17, 2025 8:31AM EDT

PHYS 4488
Statistical Mechanics

Course information provided by the 2024-2025 Catalog. Courses of Study 2024-2025 is scheduled to publish mid-June.

This course focuses on those topics in statistical mechanics of interest to scholars in many fields. Topics include random walks and emergent properties; temperature and equilibrium; phase space dynamics and ergodicity; entropy; free energies; quantum statistical mechanics; calculation and computation; order parameters, broken symmetries, and topology; correlations, response, and dissipation; abrupt phase transitions; and continuous phase transitions, fractals, and the renormalization group. Taught in conjunction with the graduate course PHYS 6562, this version is advised for undergraduates and interested graduates outside of Physics.


Prerequisites/Corequisites Prerequisite: some sophistication with calculus and introductory physics.

Last 4 Terms Offered 2025SP, 2024SP, 2023SP, 2022SP

Distribution Category (PHS-AS) (CHPH-AG, OPHLS-AG)

When Offered Spring.

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: PHYS 6562

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  5130 PHYS 4488   LEC 001

  •  
    • MWF
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • Sethna, J

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    For Physics course enrollment help, please see: https://physics.cornell.edu/enrollment-guide.