PHY369: Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics

SPRING 2014, MWF 910 AM, BUR 112

UNIQUE # 59225
Instructor:
Office Hours:

Prof. Keji Lai, kejilai@physics.utexas.edu, 475-9128, RLM 13.324

MW 11am 12pm at RLM 13.324. Other times by appointment.

Teaching Assistant: TBD

Office Hours:
TBD
Textbook (Required): Daniel V. Schroeder, Introduction to thermal physics, Addison
Wesley Longman (2000).
References (Not required):
C. Kittel and H. Kroemer, Thermal Physics, 2nd Edition, Freeman (1980)
S. J. Blundell and K. M. Blundell, Concepts in Thermal Physics, 2nd Edition,
Oxford (2010)
Overview: This course is an upper level undergraduate course on thermodynamics and
statistical mechanics two closely related subjects that apply throughout all domains of
physics. They bear on practical areas such as energy supply, computers, and motors,
while at the same time constraining more fundamental systems such as stars, BoseEinstein condensates and black holes. No prior knowledge on the topic is assumed.
Topics: Chapters 1-7 of the Schroeder textbook.
Course Prerequisites: PHY 373 or equivalent basic knowledge of quantum mechanics.
Current registration in PHY 373 is acceptable as prerequisite. You must have a good
understanding of multi-variable calculus to be properly prepared for this course.
Administrative Issues: Lisa Gentry, ugaffairs@physics.utexas.edu, Undergraduate
Office, RLM 5.216, 471-8856
Important Dates for Adding/Dropping Courses:
4th class day (Jan 16): Dropping courses electronically
12th class day (Jan 29): Dropping a class with possible refund
49th class day (Mar 31): Last day to drop a course with approval
Last class day (May 2): Before which students with substantiated nonacademic reasons
(as determined by the Deans Office) may be allowed to drop a course
The complete academic calendar is found in http://registrar.utexas.edu/calendars/13-14
Classroom attendance: Thermal physics is one of the most difficult courses in the
undergraduate physics program. Read the textbook once before the class and review the
material after class within the same day or the next day. While classroom attendance is
not counted toward the semester grade, you are encouraged to come to every lecture as

the textbook is known to be difficult for self-study. Many worked-out examples will also
be included during the class. The lecture notes will be posted on Blackboard after each
chapter to help you reviewing the content.
Homework: There will be 7 homework sets, one per chapter. The total number of
problems will be around 100 and they will be equally weighted when calculating the
homework part of the semester grade. The homework assignments will be posted on
Blackboard (https://courses.utexas.edu/) and due in the first lecture of next chapter. Do
NOT wait till the last minute to start working on the problems. You may work together on
the homework. However, each student must hand in his or her own solution. Finding
solutions to the assigned problems on the web or from any other source is considered
cheating. No late homework will be accepted for credit. To receive approval for special
circumstances, students must contact the instructor BEFORE the homework deadline so
that the missing homework is excluded from the grade calculation. Solutions will be
available on Blackboard after the due date.
Midterm Exams: There will be two midterm exams this semester. The first one,
focusing on analytical skills, is a 48-hour take-home exam scheduled in the week of Mar
3rd. The second one, focusing on conceptual understanding, will be an in-class test
(45min) scheduled in the week of Mar 24th. Actual dates of the exams will be determined
one week ahead of time. No makeup exam will be given. Those who miss exams for valid
reasons will have the final exam score substituted for the missed exams. Examples of
valid reasons include: athletes who might miss class meetings, students with religious
observances that interfere with class meetings, or students with disabilities who need
special accommodation. You are required to inform the instructor of these special
circumstances by the 12th class day if such information is available by then.
Final Exam: To receive a letter grade for the class, one has to take the final exam, which
is comprehensive and mandatory and will be held from 2pm to 5pm on Saturday May 10,
as scheduled by the Registrars Office. No early final exam will be given. The in-class
midterm and final exams will be closed book but you can bring in one letter-sized page of
formula sheet. Bring your own calculator for numerical calculations only (no computer, iPhone etc.). Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated.
Grading: Course grades will be calculated based on the weighted sum of the following:
Homework 30%, Midterm Exams 30% (15% each), and Final Exam 40%. The semester
score will be rounded to integer numbers and tentative letter grades are assigned as
follows: A: >=85, A-: >=80, B+: >=75, B: >=70, B-: >=65, C+: >=60, C: >=55, C-: >=50,
D+: >= 45, D: >= 40, and D-: >=35. Below 35 is failing. The instructor reserves the right
to readjust the thresholds according to the class performance.
Special Accommodations: The University provides upon request appropriate academic
accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. For more information, contact
the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259, 471-6441 TTY.