Fundamentals of statistical thermodynamics, partition functions for ideal gases and crystals, quantum statistics, calculations of thermodynamic properties.
3
UnitsOptional
Grading1, 2, 3
PasstimeNone
Level LimitLetters and science
CollegeGreat lecturer. Homeworks were tough. Everything was graded pretty strictly. Final was laughably difficult. Curve was pretty good though. People who don't like Brown probably just don't like physics. He is incredibly intelligent, and obviously passionate about science, and you will learn because of it. You do have to try though.
He is clear on what parts of the textbook to read. HW is similar to exams, if you understand the concepts behind HW questions. My advice: read the book before class. Rewrite your notes right after lecture to process what he said (you will be lost during lecture). Do the hw, alone then with friends. Review the HW keys ASAP. He wants you to pass.
i've never been more confused in a class before. genuinely could only answer half the midterm, not even sure if i did it right -- so different from the practice midterm. hw is extremely tedious and hard. lectures are VERY detailed. good luck if you're in this class with him, you're gonna need it.
Lectured well. Homeworks were tough. Midterm was fair. The final...WTF. It applied the material in ways never discussed in lecture, section, or the book. So everyone did horribly. I got screwed because I messed up on the midterm and there was no way to make it up with this final. Avoid this guy if you can, he doesn't care about undergrad courses.
In 3 years at UCSB Brown is by far the worst professor I've dealt with. He shows no interest in teaching/students and his tests are extremely unfair, completely unreflective of assigned problems. His lectures are ineffective and he is unwilling to answer questions during class. As a biochem major I expect tough professors, but he is unreasonable
I'm still conflicted on this guy. He knows what he's talking about and will shove your head through derivations probably just to see if you can keep up. Not very many examples in class, mostly just hypothetical experiments and the formula you'd get from it. Tough homeworks and exams, but the curve is fairly generous.