Course syllabus for Non-equilibrium processes in physics, chemistry and biology

The course syllabus contains changes
See changes

Course syllabus adopted 2021-02-26 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameIcke-jämviktsprocesser i fysik, kemi och biologi
  • CodeTIF106
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerMPCAS
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyBioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Engineering Physics
  • DepartmentPHYSICS
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 11118
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0111 Examination 7.5 c
Grading: TH		 7.5 c
  • 31 Maj 2022 pm J
  • 08 Okt 2021 am J
  • 22 Aug 2022 am J

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

Mathematical analysis and Algebra. Introductory level Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics, Classical and Quantum Mechanics

Aim

The great majority of physical, chemical, and biological processes occur outside the thermodynamic equilibrium. How do we describe many-particle system driven away from equilibrium, or evolving towards the equilibrium due to an interaction with an environment? In contrast to the universality of the thermodynamics, the non-equilibrium evolution is system specific and requires individual approach. The purpose of the course is to introduce basic concepts of kinetic theory and stochastic processes,
and to study practical tools to investigate non-equilibrium states. We will discuss the origin
of irreversible evolution and dissipation, hierarchy of relaxation processes, transport phenomena and noise, Brownian motion.
The course includes a selection of applications to quantum solid state systems,
chemical reaction kinetics, and soft matter like colloidal dispersions, polymers, gels,
glasses and biological systems.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

After this course, the student should have acquired a general knowledge of stochastic processes and their use to describe the time evolution of systems in nature. More specifically, the student should be able to:
* describe basic concepts of the kinetic theory for classical and quantum many particle systems
* describe the origin of irreversible evolution of physical, chemical, and biological systems, and the hierarchy of relaxation processes
* practically solve transport problems, as well as analyze dissipative and fluctuation phenomena, and the effects of an environment.

Content

The following topics are covered:
Statistical description of a dissipative macroscopic system and origin of irreversible evolution. Stochastic processes and basic distributions.
Boltzmann equation and transport theory.
Langevin theory of classical and quantum Brownian motion.
Fluctuation and noise.
Applications to physical, chemical and biological systems.

The first half of the course deals with general concepts of non-equilibrium statistical physics and methods to describe dissipative and transport processes in many-body systems. Starting with a simple example of a random walk the basic concepts in probability theory and stochastic processes are introduced. More complex systems are studied via the Boltzmann equation and by considering Markov processes. The latter introduces the study of Master-, Fokker-Planck- and Langevin equations. The student can choose two different directions for the second part of the course: 1. Quantum non-equilibrium systems Here we consider applications in modern solid state physics, quantum electronics and optics. We study methods to describe the state and evolution of quantum non-equilibrium systems, linear response theory, problem of quantum noise, relation between fluctuations and dissipation, behavior of quantum particle in an environment. 2. Transport in soft matter and biological systems Here we study applications in complex systems. We study methods to describe transport processes in various systems like polymers, colloids, soft matter. Description of chemical reactions and Brownian motors. Applications to systems in phsyics, chemistry and biology.

Organisation

The course is based on a series of lectures and exercises. The second half of the course can be organized as a project work.

Literature

The content of the course will be covered in lecture notes. Additional reading material (course book) will be specified on the course homepage.

Examination including compulsory elements

Written examination and home assignments.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.

The course syllabus contains changes

  • Changes to examination:
    • 2021-09-21: Grade raising Changed to grade raising by GRULG