Statistical Physics Field of study: Physics
Programme code: W4-S2FZA22.2025

Module name: Statistical Physics
Module code: W4-FZ-NM-S2-1-22-13
Programme code: W4-S2FZA22.2025
Semester: winter semester 2025/2026
Language of instruction: English
Form of verification: exam
ECTS credits: 4
Purpose and description of the content of education:
During the lecture, the student will learn about the following issues: • Thermodynamic systems, Thermodynamic parameters, Equation of state, Equilibrium states, Thermodynamic potentials, • Work and heat; Ideal gas , Zero, First, Second and Third laws of thermodynamics, Heat and entropy, Clausius theorem, • Thermodynamic processes, Carnot cycle, Stability conditions, • Probability and frequency, Probability of combined events, Random Variable, Expected values, Transformation of variables, • The main PDFs, Multivariate distributions, • Statistical definition of entropy, Number of microstates, • Liouville’s theorem , Microcanonical ensemble, The canonical ensemble, • The partition function, Proof that the statistical entropy equals the thermodynamic entropy, • Virial and equipartition theorems, • Applications of the canonical ensemble: quantum oscillators, The macrocanonical ensemble, • Density operators, Quantum ensembles, Symmetry of many-particle wave functions, • Ideal quantum systems, Bose gas, Photon gas, Phonons, • Fermi gas, Relativistic fermions, • General properties of phase transitions, Gas with interacting particles, • Critical exponents, Correlation functions.
List of modules that must be completed before starting this module (if necessary): not applicable
Learning outcome of the module Codes of the learning outcomes of the programme to which the learning outcome of the module is related [level of competence: scale 1-5]
understands the fundamental importance of statistical physics for understanding physical phenomena [E1]
 KF_W01 [4/5]
acquires in-depth knowledge of the statistical description of experimental physics [E2]
 KF_W02 [3/5]
has in-depth knowledge of statistical physics and understands its relationship with quantum mechanics [E3]
 KF_W03 [5/5]
knows a description of physical phenomena within selected statistical models [E4]
 KF_W05 [3/5]
is able to explain physical processes in the world around him based on statistical physics [E5]
 KF_U03 [4/5]
can use mathematical formalism to build and analyze statistical physics models [E6]
 KF_U09 [3/5]
is able to integrate and interpret information obtained on the basis of statistical physics, draw conclusions and formulate and justify opinions [E7]
 KF_U12 [4/5]
Form of teaching Number of hours Methods of conducting classes Assessment of the learning outcomes Learning outcomes
lecture [FZ1] 20 Formal lecture/ course-related lecture [a01]  exam E1 E2 E3 E7
discussion classes [FZ2] 20 Explanation/clarification [a05] 
Activating methods: a case study [b07]  		course work E4 E5 E6
The student's work, apart from participation in classes, includes in particular:
Name Category Description
Literature reading / analysis of source materials [a02] Preparation for classes
reading the literature indicated in the syllabus; reviewing, organizing, analyzing and selecting source materials to be used in class
Developing practical skills [a03] Preparation for classes
activities involving the repetition, refinement and consolidation of practical skills, including those developed during previous classes or new skills necessary for the implementation of subsequent elements of the curriculum (as preparation for class participation)
Getting acquainted with the syllabus content [b01] Consulting the curriculum and the organization of classes
reading through the syllabus and getting acquainted with its content
Studying the literature used in and the materials produced in class [c02] Preparation for verification of learning outcomes
exploring the studied content, inquiring, considering, assimilating, interpreting it, or organizing knowledge obtained from the literature, documentation, instructions, scenarios, etc., used in class as well as from the notes or other materials/artifacts made in class
Implementation of an individual or group assignment necessary for course/phase/examination completion [c03] Preparation for verification of learning outcomes
a set of activities aimed at performing an assigned task, to be executed out of class, as an obligatory phase/element of the verification of the learning outcomes assigned to the course
Analysis of the corrective feedback provided by the academic teacher on the results of the verification of learning outcomes [d01] Consulting the results of the verification of learning outcomes
reading through the academic teacher’s comments, assessments and opinions on the implementation of the task aimed at checking the level of the achieved learning outcomes
Attachments
Module description (PDF)
Information concerning module syllabuses might be changed during studies.
Syllabuses (USOSweb)
Semester Module Language of instruction
(no information given)