PHYS 436Condensed Matter

Units: 0.50
Faculty: Science
Subject: Physics

When it runs

Ran in 0 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

Overview of condensed matter ordered and disordered systems. Thermodynamic origin of order and phase transitions. Waves. Properties of the solid state. Crystals and fractals. Overview of Fourier Series. Reciprocal lattice. Diffraction. Classical elastic theory of the crystalline state. Electrons in a periodic potential, Band structure, and Fermi surface.

Prerequisites

Complete all of the following
- Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
  - AMATH231 - Calculus 4 (0.50)
  - PHYS364 - Mathematical Physics 1 (0.50)
- Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
  - CHEM356 - Introductory Quantum Mechanics (0.50)
  - PHYS234 - Quantum Physics 1 (0.50)
- Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
  - PHYS357 - Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics (0.50)
  - PHYS358 - Thermal Physics (0.50)

Antirequisites

Not completed any of the following:
- PHYS335

Leads to

No course lists it as a requisite.

Winter 2027 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
Section	Class	Enrolled	Meets
LEC 001	7403	0 / 60	TTh 14:30–15:50
LEC 701	8263	22 / 9999	Online or by arrangement

Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar

2026–27 (shown here)
2019–20 and earlier on ucalendar