Question about studying Thermodynamics via the MIT online lectures

[TGV320]

Hello,

Following previous advice for self studying, I am now looking at the physics curriculum of MIT through this link. http://catalog.mit.edu/subjects/8/

But at first I didn't find a course for thermodynamics, for the Phys I/II/III courses of the list don't provide it. Then I found that the "8.044 Statistical Physics I " course does, and requires the previous Phys I/II/III. I am very confused, is usually thermodynamics taught as a separate subject or is it mean to be blended within the Statistical Physics course?

Thanks

 

[robphy]

Possibly helpful:
https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/8-044-s...ng-2013/pages/syllabus/#recommended_textbooks

 

[CrysPhys]

OP: If you want a full-term course directed towards thermodynamics, then do what I did many moons ago: take the undergrad thermodynamics course in the Materials Science and Engineering Dept (MIT Course 3). There is an OCW version, 3.00 Thermodynamics of Materials: https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/3-00-thermodynamics-of-materials-fall-2002/pages/syllabus/.

 

[jtbell]

is usually thermodynamics taught as a separate subject or is it mean to be blended within the Statistical Physics course?

I think in the US, classical thermodynamics and statistical mechanics are usually taught either as separate courses, or in a single course titled something like "Thermal Physics." But MIT is not a "usual" US college/university.

 

[CrysPhys]

I think in the US, classical thermodynamics and statistical mechanics are usually taught either as separate courses, or in a single course titled something like "Thermal Physics." But MIT is not a "usual" US college/university.

Precisely. The present curriculum at MIT has a two-semester sequence, Statistical Physics I and II. When I was there, it was a one-semester course, Thermal Physics. The text was Thermal Physics by P.M. Morse. I was fortunate to have Prof. Morse teaching the course. He was an excellent teacher; one of the best I ever had.

 

[TGV320]

Hello,
Thanks, I'll have a look at it. I never expected the MIT courses to have that much difference in the courses. I guess blending the whole thing in Statistical Physics I does make it more rigorous.

 

[TGV320]

Hello,
After looking at the course requirements of Statistical Physics I, I have found that the prerequisites are:

8.03 Physics III: Vibrations and Waves, 18.03 Differential Equations

There's something I don't understand, aren't the students supposed to have learned statistics and/or probability before tackling such a tough physics subject?
Am I supposed to learn something like 18.650 Statistics for applications before starting?

Thanks

 

[CrysPhys]

Hello,
After looking at the course requirements of Statistical Physics I, I have found that the prerequisites are:

8.03 Physics III: Vibrations and Waves, 18.03 Differential Equations

There's something I don't understand, aren't the students supposed to have learned statistics and/or probability before tackling such a tough physics subject?
Am I supposed to learn something like 18.650 Statistics for applications before starting?

Thanks

It seems like you are hung up on wanting to study math, not physics. You have asked essentially the same question in several threads now. This was one of my previous responses to you:

* The prerequisite and corequisite physics and math courses will depend on the specific university physics program and the specific textbooks used. Undergrad physics textbooks typically include material on the math required, but in varying degrees of depth. So a physics course using a physics textbook that covers a lot of explanatory math and incorporating the needed math as part of the physics course will have less math prerequisite or corequisite than a physics course using a physics textbook that does not cover a lot of explanatory math (or the physics textbook does cover the needed math, but the physics course does not incorporate it).

Look at actual course content of Statistical Physics I here: https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/8-044-statistical-physics-i-spring-2013/pages/readings-notes-slides/. What are the first 4 lectures directed to?

If you want a physics curriculum structured to have a lot of math prerequisites, you should consider a program other than MIT OCW Physics. It's just not a good fit for you. Refer to my previous reply concerning math requirements for physics majors at MIT: https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/math-analysis-and-ode.1017374/#post-6659774. It doesn't have the zillions of math courses that you want.