Advanced Statistical Physics

Code:

F4043

Acronym:

F4043

Level:

400

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Physics

Instance: 2023/2024 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Physics and Astronomy
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Physics

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M:A_ASTR	0	Study plan since academic year 2023/2024	1	-	6	42	162
			2
M:F	14	Official Study Plan	1	-	6	42	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

Introduction to the study of phase transitions in equilibrium systems; study some examples of nonequilibrium phase transitions and ''complex behaviour'.

Learning outcomes and competences

General knowledge on phase transitions. Ability for analytic calculations, critical spirit, oral presentation capabily.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Intermediate level Statistical Physics

Program

- Reviews and complements on probability theory, identical particles systems and foundations of statistical mechanics

- Thermodynamics of phase transitions

- Stochastic dynamics and brownian motion

- Order-disorder transitions and the renormalization theory

- Phase transitions out of equilibrium

Mandatory literature

Reichl, L.; A Modern Course in Statistical Physics, 2ed, Wiley, 1998

Complementary Bibliography

Nikolas Zöller; Optimization of Stochastic Heat Engines in the Underdamped Limit, Springer, 2017. ISBN: 9783658163501

Teaching methods and learning activities

Lectures plus problem classes (TP); problems for home work.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	75,00
Trabalho escrito	25,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	120,00
Frequência das aulas	42,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Students who attend the course for the first time can give a maximum of 3 absences to theoretical-practical classes.

Calculation formula of final grade

75% x final_exam  + 25% x topical_presentation

Classification improvement

Only the final exam component of the classification can be improved.

Observations

The jury of the curricular unit includes:
- Miguel Nunes da Silva
- João Viana Lopes
- Vitor Pereira