| General Info | Notes | Homework | Gradebook |
- Course Description
- The goal of this course is to set the foundation for future coursework and research in condensed matter physics. We will cover topics such as the lattice and electronic structure of crystalline systems, metals, semi-conductors, magnetically ordered materials, and superconductivity. A more detailed outline is given in the syllabus posted below.
- Prerequisites
- PHYS427 and PHYS 580, which are senior level statistical physics and graduate level quantum mechanics, respectively. Concepts from both with be used extensively in this course.
- Instructor
- Prof. Gregory MacDougall, MRL 216 → gmacdoug @ illinois.edu with "560" in the subject line
or call me at 300-0147
Grader- Brandon Langley → blangle2@illinois.edu
- Lecture
Loomis 158, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:30 - 1:50 pm - Final Exam
- Friday, May 10
- 8:00 - 11:00 am
- Loomis 144
- Office Hours
- Fridays, 2:00 - 5:00 pm
- Course Text Book
- "Condensed Matter Physics" by Michael P. Marder
(Available electronically through the University Library Catalogue.)
- Recommended Supplementary Texts
- "Solid State Physics" by Neil Ashcroft and David Mermin
- Syllabus
- See here.
Course Grading
- Your grade in this course will be based on successful completion of homework assignments (40%), one mid-term exam (15%), and the final exam (45%).
- Homework due dates and time
- There will be roughly one problem set every two weeks, consisting of a combination of textbook questions and original problems. Homework will be posted on the course webpage and due at 5:00 PM on the day two weeks after first posted. Assignments will be penalized 25% for every day the homework is late. If one misses the 5:00PM deadline on Friday, the penalty for handing assignments on Monday is 50%. After 4 days (or 2 plus a weekend), absolutely no credit will be awarded.
Academic dishonesty is a very serious matter. Any indications that homework solutions were derived from online internet sources will be acted upon accordingly.
- General Policy Regarding Grading
- In all homework and exams, graders are instructed to focus on the knowledge demonstrated by the student, the problem solving strategy employed, and on the clarity of the work provided. Students should be aware that answers without work are graded as zero, and part marks are only given if the work shows some coherence. Random equations which are not serving a specific purpose in executing a strategy will be disregarded. Please explain in equations, pictures and words what is being done, and provide as much algebra as needed so that one of your fellow students could pick up and read your solution without guidance. There are also no points awarded for saving paper! Please space out your work and make sure it is legible.