University of Colorado Boulder
The Physics of Emergence: Introduction to Condensed Matter Specialization
University of Colorado Boulder

The Physics of Emergence: Introduction to Condensed Matter Specialization

Understand the Emergence of Complex Phenomena. This specialization introduces the extensive wisdom physicists have developed regarding how to understand the emergence of complex behaviors in interacting systems with many constituent parts.

Rahul Nandkishore

Instructor: Rahul Nandkishore

Included with Coursera Plus

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject
4.9

(12 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

3 months
at 4 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Get in-depth knowledge of a subject
4.9

(12 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

3 months
at 4 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Define a phase of matter.

  • Identify phases of matter using notions of symmetry, topology and renormalization.

  • Apply ideas from condensed matter physics to understand complex phenomena in the natural world.

  • Explain key open frontiers for condensed matter physics.

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Placeholder

Advance your subject-matter expertise

  • Learn in-demand skills from university and industry experts
  • Master a subject or tool with hands-on projects
  • Develop a deep understanding of key concepts
  • Earn a career certificate from University of Colorado Boulder
Placeholder
Placeholder

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV

Share it on social media and in your performance review

Placeholder

Specialization - 3 course series

What you'll learn

  • Define what constitutes a phase of matter.

  • Interpret phases in terms of symmetries, and describe spontaneous symmetry breaking.

  • Identify the competition between energy and entropy, and explain how this produces phase transitions.

Skills you'll gain

Category: understanding complexity
Category: symmetry based analysis
Category: mean field theory
Category: Spontaneous symmetry breaking

Universal Theories

Course 213 hours

What you'll learn

  • Explain the concept of universality.

  • Describe the renormalization group and how it explains universality.

  • Explain metals and insulators

Skills you'll gain

Category: universality
Category: coarse graining
Category: Metals and insulators
Category: Band theory
Category: renormalization

What you'll learn

  • Explain superconductivity.

  • Discuss fractionalization and particle statistics.

  • Define topological phases

  • Identify non-equilibrium phases.

Skills you'll gain

Category: BCS theory
Category: Ergodicity
Category: topology in physics
Category: superconductivity
Category: nonequilibrium phases

Instructor

Rahul Nandkishore
University of Colorado Boulder
3 Courses1,000 learners

Offered by

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."
Placeholder

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Unlimited access to 7,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription

Advance your career with an online degree

Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy

Frequently asked questions