Teaching

PHYS 324: Modern Physics

  • Scope:

    The breakdown of classical physics, special relativity, quantum mechanics and atomic structure, solid-state, nuclear and elementary-particle physics.

  • Textbook:

    Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers
    John R. Taylor, Chris D. Zafiratos, and Michael A. Dubson
    University Science Books, ISBN 978-1-938787-75-1


PHYS 303: Thermal and Statistical Physics

  • Scope:

    Thermodynamic description of systems and statistical interpretation of thermodynamic quantities. The first and second laws of physics, temperature, entropy and thermodynamics, and their relationship to a statistical description of many-particle systems. Applications to magnetic systems, gases and liquids, and radiation are discussed.

  • Textbook:

    Thermodynamics and an introduction to Thermostatistics
    Herbert B. Callen
    John Wiley & Sons, Inc., ISBN 978-0-471862-56-7


PHYS 450: Special Topics — Physics of the Manhattan Project

  • Scope:

    An introduction to Nuclear Physics in the historic context of the Manhattan project.

  • Textbook:

    The Physics of the Manhattan Project
    Bruce Cameron Reed
    Springer, ISBN 978-3-030613-72-3


PHYS 450/650: Special Topics — Statistical Physics and Information Theory


PHYS 602: Statistical Mechanics

  • Scope:

    Review of statistical mechanics of ideal systems, non-ideal gases, phase transitions, Monte Carlo methods, non-equilibrium systems.

  • Textbook:

    Statistical Mechanics in a Nutshell
    Luca Peliti
    Princeton University Press, ISBN 978-0-6911-4529-7