PH543: Advanced Statistical Mechanics (2019-20)

PH543: Advanced Statistical Mechanics

Course Name: Advanced Statistical Mechanics

Course code: PH543 

Credits: 6

Course Instructor: Prof. Amitabha Nandi

Course Type: Honours / Elective (Theory)

Prerequisite: Statistical Physics (PH304)

Course Content:

1. Stochastic differential equations, 
2. Mean field theory, 
3. Landau Mean Field theory
4. Renormalization
   

Other topics covered:  Markov processes and Gillespie's Algorithm

Books: Statistical Physics of fields (Kardar), Handbook of Stochastic Processes(Gardiner)

Lectures: No compulsory attendance. Blackboard instruction. Lectures are engaging, but you cover a lot each session thus you have to be regular 

Assignments: Regular assignments to practice, no tutorials. Examinations not too difficult, and a generous grading policy

Exams: 2 quizzes, midsem, endsem and a group presentation

Follow-up Courses: Soft matter physics, any stochastic process course in any other department, stock market analysis(not strictly speaking a course)

Pro-tips: A demanding course if to be done properly, but simple enough to squeeze through too. Found it very helpful to have solved the assignments.

Personal Comments: It's a great course with a wide range of applications beyond physics. 
Prof. Nandi is an excellent and a very involved instructor.

Respondent: Aman Sharma