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MH1036 Materials Physics 7.5 credits

Administer About course

Most macroscopic properties emerge from or involve atomic-level phenomena and thus an atomic-level insight is needed for an intelligent material development. The present course is an introduction to the physics of materials, discusses the main atomic-level effects of solid materials and gives a background for modern computational materials design based on firstprinciples.

Information per course offering

Choose semester and course offering to see current information and more about the course, such as course syllabus, study period, and application information.

Termin

Course syllabus as PDF

Please note: all information from the Course syllabus is available on this page in an accessible format.

Course syllabus MH1036 (Spring 2025–)
Headings with content from the Course syllabus MH1036 (Spring 2025–) are denoted with an asterisk ( )

Content and learning outcomes

Course contents

The course deals with:

  • Classical theory of metals
  • Crystal lattices, crystal symmetries, Bravais lattices
  • The reciprocal lattice
  • Electrons in periodic potentials
  • Band structure (ab initio) methods, band structure of selected metals
  • Cohesive properties
  • Harmonic crystals, elasticity, sound velocities
  • Anharmonic powers
  • Phonons in metals, phonon models
  • Semiconductors
  • Magnetism, diamagnetism, paramagnetism
  • Magnetic order, Stoner model, Landau theory

Intended learning outcomes

After passing the course, the student should be able to:

1. Explain basic physical concepts in crystal structures, electronic structures, lattice vibrations and magnetism.
2. Analyse and solve problems where the procedure at atom level is to prefer the macroscopic (or technical) procedure.
For higher grades, the student should furthermore be able to:
3. Describe, explain and predict properties of solid materials from atom level.

Literature and preparations

Specific prerequisites

For CMATD, at least 45 higher education credits in the Technology main field of study from programme syllabus for year 1-3.

Recommended prerequisites

No information inserted

Equipment

No information inserted

Literature

No information inserted

Examination and completion

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

Grading scale

A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Examination

  • INL1 - Homework, 1.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
  • TEN1 - Written exam, 6.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination

No information inserted

Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination

No information inserted

Examiner

Profile picture Levente Vitos

Ethical approach

  • All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
  • In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
  • In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

Further information

Course room in Canvas

Registered students find further information about the implementation of the course in the course room in Canvas. A link to the course room can be found under the tab Studies in the Personal menu at the start of the course.

Offered by

ITM/Materials Science and Engineering

Main field of study

Technology

Education cycle

First cycle

Add-on studies

No information inserted

Contact

Levente Vitos (leveute@kth.se)