Phases of Matter: Solid, Liquid, Gas and Beyond

The University of Colorado Boulder, situated against the stunning backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, is a flagship institution renowned for its academic excellence, research prowess, and vibrant campus life. CU Boulder has evolved into a hub of innovation and intellectual exploration. The university offers a diverse range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across various disciplines, encouraging students to pursue their passions and make meaningful contributions to society. At CU Boulder, students engage with world-class faculty who are leaders in their fields, fostering an environment that promotes critical thinking and creativity. The campus is a melting pot of ideas and cultures, providing a rich tapestry of experiences for students. With a commitment to sustainability and a focus on cutting-edge research, the University of Colorado Boulder continues to be a beacon of higher education, preparing students to navigate the complexities of our ever-changing world.

Complex systems can exhibit emergent phenomena, wherein the interplay of simple underlying rules governing the constituent parts leads to rich and unexpected behavior of the whole. Condensed matter physics is the branch of physics devoted to understanding such emergence in physical systems. It is the largest subfield of physics, and has developed a wealth of ideas and techniques for taming complexity. The course provides an introduction to this physics of emergence. The course is aimed at a general audience. It assumes familiarity with algebra, and passing familiarity with basic concepts such as atoms and energy, but does not assume knowledge of advanced physics or mathematics. It is the first of a series of three courses introducing the key ideas of modern condensed matter physics. However, it can also be taken as a standalone course.