EP 320

Instructor: Dibyendu Das

Course Name: Statistical Physics (EP 320)
Course Type: Theory (Core)
Credits: 6
Prerequisites: No formal prerequisites, though knowledge of probability theory and basic quantum physics helps. The instructor made sure to cover the required basics as well, though.
Course Content:

1. Revision of Thermodynamics

2. Elementary aspects of probability theory

3. Statistical Ensembles: Microcanonical

ensemble, Canonical Ensemble, Gibbs ensemble and Grand canonical ensemble

4. Quantum Statistical systems

5. Quantum gases: Bose and Fermi distributions

Books:

Statistical Physics of Particles - Mehran Kardar, though the professor provided hand-written notes which were sufficient for most cases.

Lectures:

slides/blackboard

The prof uploaded hand written notes of every lecture before hand and explained them on board during the lectures. He expected everyone to have gone through his notes prior to the lecture.
Attendance was not compulsory, but it really helps to attend his lectures. Only drawback was that sometimes he was too fast to follow. Nevertheless, the professor was really sweet and encouraged anyone who couldn't follow the lectures to meet him personally and get doubts cleared. He was super involved and definitely one of the best professors I've had. 
Assignments:

Assignments were of moderate difficulty. He discussed most of them in class, so it helps all the more to attend the lectures :P

Exams and Grading:

There were two quizzes apart from midsem and endsem. The questions were similar to the ones given in the assignment and the extra questions he discussed in class. The grading was pretty lenient.

Follow-Up Courses:

Advanced Statistical Mechanics

Pro-Tips:

The professor was super sweet and ready to teach the concepts any number of times for those who couldn't follow in class. I really recommend approaching him in case of any problem with the course and the way it's being taught.

Also, do make it a point to keep up with what's going on in the lectures as it is kind of a difficult course, though an interesting one, and it would make your life much easier towards the end of the semester.
Respondent: Sowmya