Program Overview

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Course Overview

The course "Phase Transitions and Critical Phenomena" is offered by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). The course code is FY3106.

Course Details

• Credits: 7.5
• Level: Second degree level
• Course start: Autumn 2025
• Duration: 1 semester
• Language of instruction: English
• Location: Trondheim
• Examination arrangement: School exam

About the Course

Course Content

The course covers fundamental concepts in phase transitions, properties near critical points, universality classes, scaling, and scaling laws. It also includes an overview of simple models, introduction to renormalization group theory, and the Kadanoff-picture. Additionally, the course touches on the Wilson picture, renormalization group theory, direct space and k-space renormalization, topological phase transitions, the superfluid phase transition, Elitzur's theorem, and the superconductor-normal metal phase transition.

Learning Outcome

The student is expected to gain considerable insight into various types of phase transitions and how these can be described theoretically in different ways, e.g., using renormalization group theory. The course is well-suited for master students who want an introduction to advanced statistical physics.

Learning Methods and Activities

• Lectures
• Voluntary calculation exercises
• Expected workload in the course is 225 hours
• Joint lectures with FY8303

Further on Evaluation

If there is a re-sit examination, the examination form may be changed to oral.

Recommended Previous Knowledge

The student is expected to have completed introductory courses in thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. The course is technically demanding, requiring good mathematical skills. Exercises form an essential part of the course work.

Course Materials

Will be decided at the start of the course.

Credit Reductions

• Course code: FY8303
• Reduction: 7.5 sp
• From: Autumn 2018 This course has academic overlap with the course in the table above. If you take overlapping courses, you will receive a credit reduction in the course where you have the lowest grade. If the grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.

Subject Areas

• Physics

Examination Details

Ordinary Examination - Autumn 2025

• Examination arrangement: School exam
• Grade: Letter grades
• Weighting: 100/100
• Examination aids: Code C
• Date and Time: 15:00
• Duration: 4 hours
• Exam system: Inspera Assessment

Re-sit Examination - Spring 2026

• Examination arrangement: School exam
• Grade: Letter grades
• Weighting: 100/100
• Examination aids: Code C
• Date and Time: 15:00
• Duration: 4 hours
• Exam system: Inspera Assessment