Physics Department

Undergraduate Curriculum
Due courtesies:
Mohammad Saad
Harish Adsule
Kalash Talati
Shivang Pandey
Kartik Sharma
Last updated:
31/10/23
BS Template (old)

There are some changes for Y22 and onwards.

Source: https://www.iitk.ac.in/doaa/data/Course-Template-B.Tech-BS.pdf
BS-MS Template(old)

There are some changes for Y22 and onwards.

Source: https://www.iitk.ac.in/doaa/data/Course-Template-B.Tech-BS.pdf
BS template (new)
Credit requirements
BS Honours (BSH)
BS Management (BSM)
BS-MS template (new)
BS-MS requirements
Steps for (effective) doubt clearance:
● Attend these damned sessions.
● Academic program related doubt?
○ UG Manual
○ New UG-ARC
● Department template related doubt?
○ See your Pingala template
○ Also check the IITK Course Template (not for new UGARC)
○ Updated template is also available on the Physics Dept. website
● Certain course information? Refer to these slides or visit the department website to get the course
handouts if they are being offered in the upcoming semester.
● If the doubt still persists after completing the homework above, contact your seniors, DUGC (or
SUGC) nominees or Department Mentors. USE THE PHYSICS DISCORD SERVER UNLESS
THE QUERY IS PERSONAL.
● If need be, resort mailing to the course professor (for specific course doubts) or the DUGC
Convener for your query. You can also take advice of the above people for this.
● At the end, remember the Murphy’s law.
Department Compulsories
PHY224: Optics (12 credits)
● 3rd semester DC
● Two components - theory and lab.
● No prerequisites (PHY103 might be in some cases)
● Generally starts with deriving the wave equations from Maxwell’s laws, then deriving Fresnel’s
equations.
● Discusses polarization, interference and interferometry (Michelson interferometer and Fabry-perot
interferometer)
● Learn about diffraction(Fraunhofer and grating), Fourier optics and coherence.
● Fourier transform (will be done as a part of fourier optics) is used everywhere in physics.
● Lab part is fun, playing with light and optical elements and seeing various patterns.
● References -
○ Eugene Hecht, Optics
○ Max Born and Emil Wolf, Principles of Optics (Hecht is sufficient but just in case)
PHY210M: Thermal Physics (6 credits, modular)
● 4th semester DC.
● Modular course (first half).
● No prerequisite required apart from JEE thermodynamics.
● Conceptually a tough course
● Deeper understanding of previously done thermodynamic concepts like laws of thermodynamics,
entropy, Gibbs free energy, kinetic theory, etc.
● Some new topics will be introduced like phase transitions and thermodynamic identities
● Some applications of thermodynamics will also be covered.
● The course uses some mathematical techniques related to partial derivatives and their
properties/calculus.
● References:
○ Zemansky, Heat and Thermodynamics
○ H. Callen, Thermodynamics and an Introduction to Thermostatistics
PHY226M: Special Relativity (6 credits, modular)
● 4th semester DC.
● Modular course (second half).
● Starts with defining inertial frames and Galilean relativity, and the contradiction between Galilean
relativity and electromagnetism.
● Discusses length contraction, time dilation, Lorentz transformations, 4 vectors, Minkowski
spacetime, spacetime diagrams and hyperbolic geometry.
● Relativistic mechanics (deriving the famous Einstein’s equations) and relativistic electromagnetism
make understanding of mechanics and electromagnetism more complete.
● Might also cover some paradoxes like the twin paradox.
● Interesting course and important if you want to study general relativity, black holes or anything
gravity related.
● References -
○ Resnick, Introduction to Special Relativity.
○ Griffiths, Introduction to Electrodynamics.
○ Lecture notes by David Tongs has a nice discussion.
PSO201: Quantum Physics (8 credits)
● 4th semester DC/ESO.
● Basic overview of Quantum Mechanics. Not a proper in-depth QM course.
● Uses Fourier transforms, linear algebra (revise MTH102) and complex numbers extensively.
● Starts with the experiments and contradictions of classical mechanics which lead to QM.
● Just accept QM postulates without much reasoning (not an in-depth course).
● Solve Schrodinger’s equation for various simple 1D potentials, learn about tunneling and
applications in alpha decay and scanning tunneling microscope, use Kronig-Penny model to
understand electron behavior in repeated lattice structures, discusses hydrogen atom.
● In later part of course linear algebra formulation of QM and Dirac notation would be discussed
which is omnipresent wherever there is quantum.
● Prerequisite for PHY431.
● References -
○ Griffiths, Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
○ J.J. Sakurai, Modern Quantum Mechanics
○ MIT OCW 8.04 (either Zwiebach or Alan Adams): a really good online resource.
○ R. Shankar, Quantum Mechanics (known for its formalism, try reading, switch if found difficult)
PHY315: Modern Physics Lab (8 credits)
● 5th semester DC.
● Before midsem you need to complete 5 experiments.
● After midsem you need to design and perform your own experiment which demonstrates any
important physical phenomenon or calculates some physical value related to modern physics.
● Some experiments like Cavendish (best of luck agar ye exp mila), Johnson noise, quantum
analogs are pretty tough but some others like photoelectric, quantum dots are very easy.
PHY401: Classical Mechanics (11 credits)
● 5th semester DC.
● No official prerequisites but basics of vector calculus and partial derivatives should be known and a
revision/further reading of it will be required.
● Course starts with Newton’s laws and D’Alembert’s principles, moves on to least action and then
Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulation of classical mechanics (Poisson brackets, Hamilton-Jacobi
Theory). It covers Noether’s theorem, two body problem, rigid body mechanics and oscillations
● The course also introduces secular perturbation theory and some portion of non-linear dynamics.
● It is math heavy course and a lot attention to details will be required.
● It is pre-req to advance level courses and such should be done properly, specially notions of least action
principle, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulation and Noether’s theorem.
● References :
○ Goldstein, Classical Mechanics (standard reference)
○ Jose & Saletan, Classical Dynamics: A Contemporary Approach (treatment different from & more mathematical
than Goldstein)
○ Landau and Lifshitz Vol 1, Mechanics (recommended for a proper study, not from exam pov)
○ Lecture notes by David Tongs
○ Strogatz, Non-linear Dynamics and Chaos, (for NLD part)
PHY421: Mathematical Methods I (11 credits)
● 5th semester DC.
● No prerequisites for the course other than the feel to work out math.
● Broadly covers 6-7 weeks of complex analysis (most importantly complex integrals and their use in
solving real integrals), 1-2 weeks of tensors and 4-5 weeks of ODEs.
● Complex integrals, being easy due to residue theorem, help at various places in theoretical physics.
● Tensors are like problems, they appear everywhere and everytime.
● A few methods of solving ODEs come handy at places.
● Overall, the mathematical techniques appear frequently throughout theoretical physics in different
forms, hence the course is quite important.
● References:
○ Complex Analysis: Ahlfors; Stone & Goldbart; Ablowitz & Fokas, Prof. Diptarka’s lecture notes
○ Tensors: Any introductory GR book; Poisson’s A Relativist’s Toolkit
○ ODEs: Mary Boas, Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences
PHY431: Quantum Mechanics I (11 credits)
● 5th semester DC.
● Starts with review of PSO in the initial weeks, hence is relatively easier to handle and study.
Extensively uses Dirac notation and discusses QM linear algebra and operators in detail.
● Discusses various 1D potentials in detail and coherent states. After mid-sem the difficulty of the
course increases and topics like central potentials, oscillators, Hilbert’s formalism, spin, etc are
covered. Hydrogen atom is covered in good detail (essential for QM2). Angular momentum needs to
be studied properly in the course. The course might also advance into identical particles depending
on the instructor. An understanding of operator and related linear algebra developed through the
course helps a lot in further studies.
● This course a prerequisite to PHY432 (QM2) and various advance level courses that involve or use
quantum mechanics. Needs to be done properly for avoiding problems in further courses/physics.
● References -
○ Griffiths, Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (easy explanations, good for a day before exam)
○ Sakurai, Modern Quantum Mechanics (nice treatment)
○ MIT OCW 8.05 by Zweibach
○ N Zettili, Quantum Mechanics: Concepts and Applications (got a lot of solved problems)
○ R. Shankar, Quantum Mechanics
PHY412: Statistical Mechanics (11 credits)
● 6th semester DC.
● Requires familiarity with Hamiltonian formalism of Classical Mechanics. Basic probability theory
would be helpful but can be learnt along the way.
● Covers the basics of statistical mechanics: Brownian motion, Equilibrium, Ensembles, Partition
Functions, Quantum Statistical Mechanics, Density Matrix, Fermionic and Bosonic Systems,
Bose-Einstein Condensate, Ising Model, Mean Field Theory, Phase Transitions.
● Absolutely necessary for theoretical physics, specially condensed matter physics. Notions appear
frequently even in high energy physics and information theory.
● References:
○ Mehran Kardar, Statistical Physics of Particles (MIT OCW course available)
○ K. Huang, Statistical Mechanics (Lecture series available on YouTube).
○ S. K. Ma & M. K. Fung, Statistical Mechanics (contains a good discussion on equilibrium & detailed balance)
○ Pathria, Statistical Mechanics.
○ Landau & Lifshitz, Statistical Physics.
● Also, removes Thermal Phy PTSD.
PHY552: Electrodynamics I (11 credits)
● 6th semester DC.
● PHY103, but more sophisticated.
● Starts by revisiting basic electrodynamics, Maxwell’s equations.
● Half of the course is Boundary Value Problems in Electrostatics, Dielectrics and
Magnetostatics. Uses advanced methods such as Green’s function, Legendre
polynomials etc.
● Rest is Electromagnetic Waves, Multipole Radiation and Waveguides.
● References :
○ J.D. Jackson, Classical Electrodynamics
○ Landau and Lifschitz, Classical Theory of Fields
PHY461: Experimental Physics-I (8 credits)
● 7th semester DC.
● Experiments from different areas of physics like optics, solid state, electromagnetism, waves etc.
● A total of roughly 40 experiments from which a student has to complete around 8.
● The lab is two days a week.
● Typically offered every semester along with PHY462.
PHY600/888: Technical Communication (3 credits)
● 6th semester DC. S/X course.
● The course provides you a skill set not found in books. The course teaches you:
○ How to teach others?
○ How to make a good presentation?
○ How to read a research paper?
○ How to summarize a research paper?
○ How to discuss your scientific thoughts?
○ How to write a good research paper?
● Frequent reading of research papers and articles familiarizes one with unknown
domains.
● To be renamed.
Department Electives
(Not exhaustive)
PHY617 (473): Computational Physics (11 credits)
● Used to be 6th semester DC. Very similar to ESO208.
● Different numerical techniques are taught. Course uses Python.
● Interpolation, Integration, Differentiation, ODE solver, PDE solver, matrix
computations, Boundary Value Problems and Root Finding.
● References :
○ Lecture Notes by instructor are usually sufficient
○ Ferziger, Numerical Methods for Engineering Application
Basket Courses :
● Compulsory to do ONE out of these five for Dual Degree.
○ PHY612(524) - Introduction to Atomic and Nuclear Physics. Offered in even semester
only.
○ PHY611(526) - Nuclear and Particle Physics. Offered in even semester only.
○ PHY623(543) - Condensed Matter Physics. Offered in odd semester only. Covers
basics and essentials of condensed matter physics.
○ PHY628-Physics of Soft Matter and Fluids (new course)
○ PHY681
PHY312: Quantum Processes in Low Dimensional
Semiconductors (9 credits)
● To be added, contact DUGC nominees for queries.
PHY313: Physics of Information Processing (9 credits)
● A bit on quantum information as well.
● Requires familiarity with PHY103. Notions of probability theory are helpful as well but can be learnt as
and when required.
● Familiari

zes one with information entropy and related notions.

● PHY665: A similar but more elaborate course offered occasionally. Goes into details of entropy and its
various forms in different physical settings. A nice course for someone interested in the philosophy and
origins of probability and also classical information theory along with its widespread appearances in
several domains such as geometry, chaos and statistical mechanics.
● References:
○ Shannon’s paper, A Mathematical Theory of Communication, (must read)
○ Thomas & Cover, Elements of Information Theory, (nice explanations)
○ A. I. Khinchin, Mathematical Foundations of Information Theory, (not required for the course)
○ E. T. Jaynes, Probability Theory: The Logic of Science, (a really good book on probability by a physicist, not
required for PHY313 though)
PHY306: Order and Chaos (9 credits)
● To be added, contact DUGC nominees for queries.
●
PHY407: Special and General Relativity (9 credits)
● UG Elective, prerequisite for advanced GR electives (eg PHY690M). Offered in odd semesters.
● PHY226 not an official prerequisite but helpful. Prof dependent, some finish up STR in a week
assuming background knowledge, while some accommodate the needs by spending two or three
weeks on STR. Since course is offered in odd semester, it would be helpful to cover basic STR in
the preceding summers.
● Starts by revisiting STR and 4-vectors including tensor notation and then introduces geodesics,
covariant derivatives, curvature, gravitational field equations and the Schwarzschild Solution.
● References:
○ Sean Carroll, Spacetime and Geometry, (usually standard reference for many)
○ Goldstein, Classical Mechanics or any other equivalent (for STR)
○ Landau and Lifshitz, Classical Theory of Fields
○ Lecture notes by David Tongs
PHY625(422): Mathematical Methods II (11 credits)
● DE, preferably done in 6th semester. Compulsory for Dual Degree.
● First half covers group theory and representation theory useful for physicists. Covers Lie groups and
Lie algebras which are indispensable in theoretical physics. Familiarizes you with terms like SU(2),
SO(3) etc which are casually used in physics discussions. Second half focuses on PDEs, most
important being Green’s function and identities. Appears throughout theoretical physics, from
electrodynamics and quantum mechanics to general relativity and quantum field theory.
● A very useful course to get oneself comfortable with the maths of further theoretical physics.
● References:
○ A. Zee, Group Theory in a Nutshell, (talks and explains a lot, might be a bad choice a day before exam)
○ Dennery & Krzywicki, Mathematics for Physicists
○ Howard Georgi, Lie Algebras in Particle Physics
PHY626(432): Quantum Mechanics II (11 credits)
● DE, preferably done in 6th semester. Compulsory for Dual Degree.
● Prerequisite: PHY431
● Covers approximation and calculation methods for unsolvable quantum systems, such as WKB
Approximation, Perturbation Theory (time independent and time independent), Variation Method,
Scattering and then a bit of Relativistic Quantum Mechanics (~2 weeks)
● Official prerequisite for PHY681 (QFT). Only the relativistic QM part is required for QFT, necessary
to be done before starting QFT. May request for prerequisite waiver if already familiar.
● References:
○ Sakurai, Modern Quantum Mechanics
○ Cohen Tannoudji et al, Quantum Mechanics Vol II, (quite extensive, contains almost everything)
○ Schiff, Quantum Mechanics, (can refer for some topics)
○ Griffiths, Introduction to Quantum Mechanics, (good for mugging up stuff a day before exam)
○ Aitchison & Hey, Gauge Theories in Particle Physics, (for relativistic QM)
PHY462: Experimental Physics Lab - II (8 credits)
● List of experiments same as PHY461.
● Compulsory for Dual Degree.
● Typically offered every semester along with PHY461.
PHY614(553): Electrodynamics II (11 credits)
● Covers Relativistic Electrodynamics in detail.
● Compulsory for Dual Degree.
● To be added, contact DUGC nominees for queries.
●
PHY681: Quantum Field Theory (9 credits)
● An extensive course on Quantum Field Theory offered in odd semesters.
● PHY432 is an official prerequisite. Course assumes familiarity with relativistic quantum mechanics.
● Preferably done in 7th semester or 9th semester.
● Involves intense mathematical gymnastics and physical interpretations.
● Essential if one aims to work in high energy physics (such as string theory, quantum gravity, AdS/CFT,
particle physics)
● Has extensive use in condensed matter systems as well, though the course is not taught from that
perspective and needs to be supplemented by other sources.
● Overall an useful course for research in physics (high energy and condensed matter).
● References:
○ Peskin & Schroeder, An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory
○ Ryder, Quantum Field Theory
○ Srednicki, Quantum Field Theory
○ A Zee, Quantum Field Theory in a Nutshell
○ Coleman’s Lectures on Quantum Field Theory
○ Schwartz, Quantum Field Theory and the Standard Model, (I liked the discussion on Feynman diagrams)
○ R Shankar, Quantum Field Theory and Condensed Matter, (for cond-matt perspective, not required for the course)
PHY690F: Quantum Dynamics: Information and Computation
(9 credits)
● Advance elective with an assortment of topics from the broad area of Quantum Information.
● Need to be comfortable with CM, QM, EM. SM not a strict prereq but helpful.
● Starts with an introduction to Open Quantum Systems, basics of Quantum Optics.
● Followed by properties and measures of entanglement entropy and their applications to physical
systems.
● Ends with some miscellaneous topics like Quantum Algorithms, Quantum Error Correction, etc.
● Has a project component. (A reading project mostly)
● NOT a CS-oriented course. (Try CS682 for a CS perspective)
● References :
○ Open Systems Approach to Quantum Optics
○ Lecture Notes by Mikhail Lukin
○ Nielsen & Chuang, Quantum Computation and Quantum Information
PHY690G: Coherence & Entanglement (9 credits)
● Advance elective focusing on coherence and entanglement in Quantum Optics.
● A first course in QM is a must, background in probability & statistics helpful but not necessary.
● First half covers Coherence Theory.
● Second half focuses on Entanglement including experimental methods to produce entangled
photons.
● A few miscellaneous lectures on Quantum information.
● References :
○ L. Mandel and E. Wolf, Optical Coherence and Quantum OpticS
○ R. Loudon, Quantum Theory of Light
○ Goodman, Statistical Optics
PHY622: Condensed Matter Physics II (9 credits)
● To be added, contact DUGC nominees for queries.
●
PHY634: Low Temperature Physics (9 credits)
● Take only if you want an easy grade under Prof. Jayita. You will not learn anything.
Physics Related Open Electives
( not exhaustive)
Thank You.