Graduate course · UNIST · Fall 2026
Statistical Mechanics
From multiplicity to Bose condensation: how probability becomes thermodynamics.
There is no graded homework and no quiz series. Problems are for practice and are not submitted. Each examination contains four substantial problems, one from each bank block. Problems are taken from the bank or are close variants: the physical idea and method are familiar; details may change.
- Lectures
- Monday & Wednesday · 75 minutes · 13:00–14:15
- Teaching assistant
- Da Hyung Kim · kdahyung0805@unist.ac.kr
- TA sessions
- Most Wednesdays · one selected problem in the last ~20 minutes; two longer review sessions before the midterm and final
- Student questions
- Please contact the teaching assistant first for routine questions about course material and problems.
- Blackboard
- Course communication and materials as needed
- Exams
- The TA assists with midterm and final logistics and grading.
- Homework
- No weekly homework to collect or grade.
- Textbook
- Pathria & Beale, Statistical Mechanics, 3rd ed.
Seven chapters
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1
The statistical basis of thermodynamics Microstates, entropy, equilibrium, ideal gas, Gibbs paradox.
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2
Elements of ensemble theory Phase space, Liouville theorem, microcanonical ensemble.
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3
The canonical ensemble Boltzmann weights, partition functions, fluctuations, equipartition, virial theorem.
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4
The grand canonical ensemble Chemical potential, fugacity, particle-number fluctuations, phase equilibrium.
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5
Formulation of quantum statistics Density matrix, indistinguishability, symmetric and antisymmetric states.
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6
The theory of simple gases Maxwell–Boltzmann, Bose–Einstein, Fermi–Dirac, occupation numbers, internal motion.
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7
Ideal Bose systems Bose–Einstein condensation and blackbody radiation.
Calendar
| Date | Material |
|---|---|
| Aug 31 – Sep 9 | Chapter 1 · statistical basis of thermodynamics |
| Sep 14 – Sep 16 | Chapter 2 · ensemble theory |
| Mon Sep 21 | TA problem session · no new material |
| Sep 23 – Oct 12 | Chapter 3 · canonical ensemble |
| Mon Sep 28 | No class · UNIST Foundation Day |
| Mon Oct 5 | No class · substitute public holiday |
| Wed Oct 14 | TA-led midterm review · no new material |
| Oct 19 & Oct 21 | Exam week · no lecture |
| Oct 26 – Nov 4 | Chapter 4 · grand canonical ensemble |
| Nov 9 – Nov 18 | Chapter 5 · formulation of quantum statistics |
| Nov 23 – Nov 30 | Chapter 6 · theory of simple gases |
| Dec 2 – Dec 7 | Chapter 7 · ideal Bose systems |
| Wed Dec 9 | TA-led final review · no new material |
Lecture notes
The seven handwritten lecture sets follow the seven Pathria chapters used in the course. They are the lecture backbone; corrections, if needed, will be made in class.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
Working rule
Students may use books, discussion, computation, and AI while studying the problem bank. The point is to learn the physics, not to certify a take-home solution.
Assessment occurs in the closed examinations. Attendance and missed examinations are handled according to UNIST regulations.