Physics Courses and Resources

A searchable, accessible index of course reading and study materials.

General Physics

General Physics

This conceptual survey course in introductory physics for students majoring in fields other than sciences or engineering, as well as for other students who want to enhance their awareness of the laws that govern the physical world. It includes principles of mechanics, heat, light, sound, electricity, magnetism and modern physics.

 

Basic Physics I

Basic Physics I

Intended to give students in architecture an understanding of the basic principles of mechanics.

Reference:

Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Raymond A. Serway - Emeritus, James Madison University John W. Jewett - California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, ISBN 0534408427 1296 pages, 2004; 6th Edition. [1, 2]

Sixth Edition of physics (1) (Mechanics), Volume One by Robert Resnick, David Halliday, Kenneth S. Krane; with the assistance of Paul Stanley

 

Basic Physics II

Basic Physics II
This conceptual survey course in introductory physics for students majoring in fields other than sciences or engineering, as well as for other students who want to enhance their awareness of the laws that govern the physical world. It includes principles of electricity, magnetism.
Reference:
1. Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Raymond A. Serway - Emeritus, James Madison University John W. Jewett - California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, ISBN 0534408427 1296 pages, 2004; 6th Edition. [1]

Lecture notes: Introduction, Chapter 23, Chapter 24, Chapter 25, Chapter 26, Chapter 27, Chapter 28, Chapter 29_1, Chapter 29_2, Chapter 30, Chapter 31, Chapter 32, Chapter 33, Chapter 34, RC-RL, RLC_Circuits  

2. Fundamental of physics, by D. Halliday, R. Resnick, J. Walker. 
3. Electricity and Magnetism, by H. Goltoghchian.

 

Basic Physics III

Basic Physics III

Temperature, first and second laws of thermodynamics, kinetic theory and entropy. Fluid mechanics. Light and quantum physics, wave nature of matter, structure of the hydrogen atom. Atomic physics, electrical conduction in solids, nuclear physics and particle physics.

Reference:

Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Raymond A. Serway - Emeritus, James Madison University John W. Jewett - California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, ISBN 0534408427 1296 pages, 2004; 6th Edition. [1]

Sixth Edition of physics (1) (Mechanics), Volume One by Robert Resnick, David Halliday, Kenneth S. Krane; with the assistance of Paul Stanley

 

Modern Physics

Modern Physics

In this course we study briefly special relativity, quantum mechanics, nuclear physics, particle physics, general relativity, and cosmology. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13]

Reference:

Quantum Physics of atoms, molecules, solids, nuclei and particles, R. M. Eisberg and R. Resnick (1974).

Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers (3rd ed.) by Thornton & Rex.

Lecture notes of Rick Trebino.

Introduction to Special Relativity, R. Resnick (1972)Some parts of Resnik's book in PersianModern Physics, Serway, et al You would see here some interesting animations for Special Relativity You would also see here some interesting animations for Quantum Mechanics

Computational Physics II

Computational Physics II

This course is for students at graduate level based on the great Numerical Recipes text-book. This course provides the student with an advanced background in computational techniques and their application to physics. The computational techniques discussed include root finding using the Newton-Raphson method, interpolation using Cubic Splines and Least Squares Fitting, solving ordinary differential equations using Runge-Kutta and partial differential equations using Finite Difference and Finite Element techniques, numerical quadrature using Simpson's Rule, Gaussian Quadrature and the Monte Carlo Method and spectral analysis using Fast Fourier Transforms. These techniques are applied to a wide range of physics problems such as finding the energy levels of a finite quantum well using a root finding technique, solving the Schrdinger equation using the Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg technique, using random numbers to simulate stochastic processes such as a random walk, using the Fast Fourier Transform method to perform a spectral analysis on non-linear, chaotic systems such as the Doffing oscillator and using auto-correlation functions to simulate sonar or radar ranging problems. The computer languages used in the course are Fortran and C. Students will also develop a practical knowledge of basic UNIX and a word processing software package such as LATeX for writing reports.

In this course we also get familiar with parallel programming employing Message Passing Interface (MPI): The Message-Passing Interface or MPI is not a new programming language. It is a library of subprograms that can be called from C and Fortran programs.  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14]. All these will be performed under Linux operating system. [0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, rlogin without password, NIS/NFS(1, 2, 3, 4), links, gnuplot, redhat, vmware]

 

Lecture notes:

Introduction, Session 1, Session 2, Session 3, Session 4, Session 5, Session 6, Session 7, Session 8, Session 9, Session 10

 

 

Thermodynamics
 A study of relationships between thermodynamic variables and the statistical interpretation of these relationships. Topics studied include the zeroth; first, second, and third laws of thermodynamics; entropy; properties of ideal gases and real substances; and statistical descriptions of systems of particles, including quantum statistics.
References -- all available at the library of physics department:
1. A modern course in statistical physics, 2nd edition (1998), by L. E. Reichl.
2. Statistical physics, Berekly physics course, Volume 5 (1967), by Federick Reif. 
3. Heat and Thermodynamics, 6th edition (1981), by Mark Walo Zemansky, and Richard H. Dittman.
To study thermodynamics part we would mainly use the first and third references, however, we focus our attention on the statistical aspects utilizing Ref. [2] keeping look at the first and third ones.

 

Solid States Physics I

Solid States  Physics I
 An introduction to the theory underlying the formation and physical behavior of solids. Topics covered include: crystalline structure, reciprocal lattices, crystal binding, phonons, and electronic band theory.

Crystal Structure & Crystallography Resources:

For more information, visit the table of contents of the textbook by Giuseppe Grosso and Giuseppe Pastori Parravicini on ScienceDirect.

References:
Introduction to Solid State Physics by Charles Kittel, 7th Edition .

Click here to access older local archival versions of the book: [(1953), (1996)].

 

Solid State Physics II

This advanced undergraduate course builds upon fundamental solid-state physics principles, exploring the electronic, magnetic, optical, and transport properties of condensed matter systems.

Key topics include energy band structure, semiconductor statistics and transport phenomena, dielectrics and optical processes in solids, diamagnetism and paramagnetism, magnetic ordering (ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism), and the fundamentals of superconductivity.

Lecture Notes & Course Materials

Recommended Textbooks

  • Introduction to Solid State Physics, Charles Kittel, 8th Edition, John Wiley & Sons.
  • Solid State Physics, Neil W. Ashcroft and N. David Mermin, Saunders College Publishing.
  • Solid State Physics, Giuseppe Grosso and Giuseppe Pastori Parravicini, Academic Press.

Advanced Solid States Physics I

This graduate-level course is primarily based on the first 16 chapters of the textbook by Ashcroft and Mermin. It introduces the fundamental concepts and advanced theoretical methods used in solid-state physics.

The course covers crystal structure and symmetry, reciprocal lattices, diffraction, crystal binding, lattice vibrations and phonons, electronic band structure, the free-electron and nearly-free-electron models, semiconductor physics, and the electronic structure of solids.

Primary Textbook

Solid State Physics
Neil W. Ashcroft and N. David Mermin

Publisher and book information PDF DJVU

Lecture Notes and Course Materials

  1. Introduction
  2. Chapter 8
  3. Chapter 8, supplementary material
  4. Chapter 9
  5. Chapter 10
  6. Chapter 10, supplementary material I
  7. Chapter 10, supplementary material II

References

  • Solid State Physics , Neil W. Ashcroft and N. David Mermin, 1976.
  • Solid State Physics , cite>, Grosso and Giuseppe Pastori Parravicini, 2000.
  • Introduction to Solid State Physics , Charles Kittel, 8th edition, 2004.
  • Fundamentals of Solid State Engineering , 2nd edition, Manijeh Razeghi, 2006.
  • Principles of Condensed Matter Physics , P. M. Chaikin and T. C. Lubensky, 1995.
  • A Theoretical Treatise on the Electronic Structure of Designer Hard Materials , Hkan Wilhelm Hugosson, 2001.

Quantum Mechanics I

This undergraduate course introduces the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics through the differential-equation and wave-mechanics approach. This starting point follows the historical development of quantum theory and provides an intuitive route to the mathematical structure of the subject.

The course develops the basic tools required to describe microscopic systems, including wave functions, operators, measurement, uncertainty, stationary states, angular momentum, and the solution of standard quantum-mechanical problems.

Course Topics

  • Wave functions, probability interpretation, and normalization
  • Schrödinger equation and time evolution
  • One-dimensional potentials and bound states
  • Operators, observables, eigenvalues, and expectation values
  • Commutation relations and the uncertainty principle
  • Harmonic oscillator and ladder operators
  • Angular momentum and central-force motion
  • Hydrogen atom and atomic orbitals
  • Spin and the addition of angular momenta
  • Introduction to the state-vector formulation

Primary Textbook

Quantum Physics, Stephen Gasiorowicz.

Wiley Student Companion Resources

The wave-mechanics treatment used in this course is complemented by the operator and state-vector formulation introduced in later sections.

Alternative Formulation

Students interested in a systematic treatment based on state vectors, Hilbert spaces, operators, and symmetry may consult the following references:

Lecture Notes Based on Ballentine's Textbook

Lecture Notes

  1. Introduction
  2. Chapter 2
  3. Chapter 3
  4. Chapter 4
  5. Chapter 5
  6. Chapter 6
  7. Chapter 7
  8. Chapter 8
  9. Chapter 9

Additional Reference

Open Learning Resources

MIT OpenCourseWare provides complementary lecture notes, problem sets, examinations, and video lectures for an undergraduate introductory quantum physics course.

MIT OpenCourseWare: Quantum Physics I Downloadable Course Materials

Suggested Study Approach

  1. Review the mathematical prerequisites, especially ordinary differential equations, complex numbers, linear algebra, and Fourier analysis.
  2. Read the relevant textbook section before studying the corresponding lecture notes.
  3. Work through representative derivations by hand, including normalization, expectation values, commutators, and eigenvalue problems.
  4. Solve additional problems regularly. In quantum mechanics, the ability to formulate and solve problems is as important as understanding the formal theory.

Quantum Mechanics II

This course continues the undergraduate sequence in quantum mechanics and moves beyond the idealized one-particle problems studied in Quantum Mechanics I. The emphasis is on the hydrogen atom, spin, angular momentum, perturbation theory, variational methods, scattering, and the first steps toward radiation and quantum entanglement.

The goal is to help students connect the formal structure of quantum mechanics with physically important systems and approximation methods that are used throughout atomic, molecular, and condensed-matter physics.

Course Topics

  • Hydrogen atom: eigenvalues, eigenvectors, and degeneracy
  • Fine structure, spin-orbit coupling, and relativistic corrections
  • Spin-1/2 systems and Stern-Gerlach type measurements
  • Addition of angular momenta and Clebsch-Gordan structure
  • Time-independent theory and transition
  • Time-dependent perturbation theory and transition rates
  • Variational method and approximate ground states
  • Scattering and collision theory
  • Radiation and light-matter interaction
  • Introduction to entanglement and composite quantum systems

Primary Textbook

Quantum Physics, Stephen Gasiorowicz, 3rd edition, 2003.

Wiley instructor companion site Wiley student companion site

This book is a compact and historically faithful introduction to the standard postulates, hydrogen atom, spin, perturbation theory, and basic scattering ideas.

Recommended References

Lecture Notes

  1. Chapter 10
  2. Chapter 11
  3. Chapter 12
  4. Chapter 13
  5. Chapter 14
  6. Chapter 15
  7. Chapter 16
  8. Chapter 17
  9. Chapter 18

Audio Lectures

These recordings complement the lecture notes through detailed discussions of the hydrogen atom, partial-wave expansions, electron scattering, magnetic interactions, and the Zeeman effect. Each recording is labelled by its original lecture date and principal topic.

Open Learning Resources

MIT OpenCourseWare provides a useful parallel presentation of advanced undergraduate quantum mechanics, including lecture notes, problem sets, and exams.

MIT OpenCourseWare: Quantum Physics II Downloadable course materials

Advanced Statistical Mechanics

Advanced Statistical Mechanics

This course is presented for students at graduate level. The goal of this course is to obtain the macroscopic physical properties of materials, irrespective of their states, i.e., solid and gas as well as liquid, by means of microscopic behavior of their constitutes.

References:

1. Statistical Mechanics, 2nd edition, R. K. Pathria.

2. A modern course in statistical physics, 2nd edition (1998), by L. E. Reichl.

3. An introduction to thermal physics, Daniel V. Schroeder (2000)

4. Kerson Huang: 1, 2, 3
5. lecture notes prepared by the students

 

Quantum Theory of Solids

Quantum Theory of Solids

This course is presented for Ph.D. students. In this course we cover three main subjects. In first part, the theory of lattice dynamics to calculate phonon frequencies is studied. Group theory and its applications to solid states constitute the second part of the course. In the third part we focus on the phenomenological theories of magnetic order of solid states, and close the course by studding one- and two-dimensional Ising models.

References:

1. Phonons theory and experiments I: Lattice dynamics and models of interatomic forces, Peter Bruesch (19982).

2. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22

3. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18. Click here to download lecture note of the third part.

 

Density Functional Theory

Density Functional Theory
 The purpose of this course is to provide a unified exposition of the basic theory and methods of electronic structure. The aim is to serve graduate students and scientists involved in research to provide a course on electronic structure, and to serve a supplementary material for courses on condensed matter physics and material science.

References:

1. Electronic structure, Basic Theory and Practical Methods, by Richard Martin (2004).

2. Density-Functional Theory of Atoms and Molecules, by Robert G. Par, and Weitao Yang (1989).

3. Density Functional Theory, E. K. Gross and R. M. Drizler (1995).

4. Density Functional Theory of Molecules,  Clusters and Solids; edited by D. E. Ellis (1995).

5. The Theory of Inhomogeneous Electron Gas, by S. Lundqvist and N. H. March (1983).

6. The Density Functional Formalism, its applications and prospects, by R. O. Jones, O. Gunnarsson, Rev. Mod. Phys. 61, 689 (1989).

7. The Electronic Structure Calculations with Dynamical-Mean-Field Theory, G. Kotliar, S. Y. Savrasov, K. Haule, V. S. Oudovenko, O. Parcollet, and C. A. Marianetti , Rev. Mod. Phys. 78, 865 (2006) RMP78,685(2006), or cond-mat/0511085.

8. Lecture notes prepared by students [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].

9. 1, Hohenberg-Kohen64, Kohen-Sham65, Rev. Mod. Phys. 72, 1041 (2000):Real-Space-mesh techniques in DFT , Rev. Mod. Phys. 73, 515 (2001): Stefano Baroni, et. al.

 

Classical Mechanics I

Classical Mechanics I

In this course, we study the classical mechanics based on the Keith R. Symon textbook.

References:

1. Mechanics, by Keith R. Symon, 3rd Edition, (1971).

2. Classical Dynamics of Particles and Syatems, by Jerry B. Marion (1965).

3. Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems, by Stephen T. Thornton and Jerry B. Marion, 5th Edition   (2004).

4. Introduction to Classical Mechanics, by Atam P. Arya, 2nd Edition.

5. Classical Mechanics Systems of Particles and Hamiltonian Dynamics, by Walter Greiner, (2003).

6. Classical Mechanics, by Herbert Goldstien, Charles poole, John Safko, 3rd Edition (2002). 

 

Lecture notes:

Introduction, Chapter 1.1, Chapter 1.2, Chapter 1.3, Chapter 2.1, Chapter 2.2, Chapter 2.3, Chapter 2.4, Chapter 2.5, Chapter 2.6, Chapter 2.7, Chapter 2.8, Chapter 3.1, Chapter 3.2, Chapter 3.3, Chapter 3.4, Chapter 3.5, Chapter 3.6, Chapter 3.7, Chapter 3.8, Chapter 3.9, Chapter 3.10, Chapter 3.11, Chapter 3.12...

 

Classical Mechanics II

Classical Mechanics II

In this course, we study the classical mechanics based on the Keith R. Symon textbook.

References:

1. Mechanics, by Keith R. Symon, 3rd Edition, (1971).

2. Classical Dynamics of Particles and Syatems, by Jerry B. Marion (1965).

3. Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems, by Stephen T. Thornton and Jerry B. Marion, 5th Edition   (2004).

4. Introduction to Classical Mechanics, by Atam P. Arya, 2nd Edition.

5. Classical Mechanics Systems of Particles and Hamiltonian Dynamics, by Walter Greiner, (2003).

6. Classical Mechanics, by Herbert Goldstien, Charles poole, John Safko, 3rd Edition (2002). 

 

Lecture notes:

Introduction, Chapter 9.1, Chapter 9.2, Chapter 9.3, Chapter 9.4, Chapter 9.5, Chapter 10.1, Chapter 10.2, Chapter 10.3, Chapter 11.1

 

Problems / Mollabashi

Problems and Solutions Prepared by Dr. Leila Mollabashi, Postdoctoral Researcher:

Problems and Solutions 9.1, Problems and Solutions 9.2, Problems and Solutions 9.3, Problems and Solutions 9.4

Problems / Rezaei

Problems and Solutions Prepared by Mohsen Rezaei, Ph.D. Student:

Problems and Solutions 9

 

Advanced Quantum Mechanics I

Advanced Quantum Mechanics I

In this course, we study the classical mechanics based on the J. J. Sakurai textbook.
 References:

1) J. J. Sakurai, Modern Quantum Mechanics, (1994).
2) Leslie E. Ballentine , Quantum Mechanics A Modern Development, (2000).
3) P. W. Atkins and R. S. Friedman, Molecular Quantum Mechanics, (2000).
4) Quantum Mechanics (2 vol. set) , Claude Cohen-Tannoudji, Bernard Diu, Frank Laloe , (1977) .
5) L. I. Schiff, Quantum Mechanics, (1968).
6) E. Merzbacher, Quantum Mechanics, (1968).
7) Consistent Quantum Theory, Robert B. Griffiths, (2003).
8) Stephen Gasiorowicz, Quantum Physics, first (1974) and third editions (2003).
9) J. L. Powell and B. Crasemann, Quantum Mechanics, (1961).
10) R. Shankar, Quantum Mechanics, (1980).

 

Lecture notes:

Introduction, Chapter 1.1, Chapter 1.2, Chapter 1.3, Chapter 1.4, Chapter 1.5, Chapter 2.1, Chapter 2.2, Chapter 2.3, Chapter 2.4, Chapter 2.5, Chapter 2.6, Chapter 2.7, Chapter 3.1, Chapter 3.2, Chapter 3.3, Chapter 3.4, Chapter 3.5

 

Advanced Quantum Mechanics II

Advanced Quantum Mechanics II

In this course, we study the classical mechanics based on the J. J. Sakurai textbook.
 References:

1) J. J. Sakurai, Modern Quantum Mechanics, (1994).
2) Leslie E. Ballentine , Quantum Mechanics A Modern Development, (2000).
3) P. W. Atkins and R. S. Friedman, Molecular Quantum Mechanics, (2000).
4) Quantum Mechanics (2 vol. set) , Claude Cohen-Tannoudji, Bernard Diu, Frank Laloe , (1977) .
5) L. I. Schiff, Quantum Mechanics, (1968).
6) E. Merzbacher, Quantum Mechanics, (1968).
7) Consistent Quantum Theory, Robert B. Griffiths, (2003).
8) Stephen Gasiorowicz, Quantum Physics, first (1974) and third editions (2003).
9) J. L. Powell and B. Crasemann, Quantum Mechanics, (1961).
10) R. Shankar, Quantum Mechanics, (1980).

 

Lecture notes:

Introduction, Chapter 4.1, Chapter 4.2, Chapter 4.3, Chapter 4.4, Chapter 4.5, Chapter 4.6, Chapter 4.7, Chapter 5.1, Chapter 5.2, Chapter 5.3, Chapter 5.4, Chapter 5.5, Chapter 5.6, Chapter 6.1, Chapter 6.2, Chapter 7.1, Chapter 7.2, Chapter 7.3  

Additional source items