
Brownian motion was first observed by Scottish botanist Robert Brown, while examining pollen grains in water under a microscope (Image from Wikimedia Commons).
Instructor(s)
Prof. Jianshu Cao
MIT Course Number
5.72
As Taught In
Spring 2012
Level
Graduate
Course Description
Course Features
Course Description
This course discusses the principles and methods of non-equilibrium statistical mechanics. Basic topics covered are stochastic processes, regression and response theory, molecular hydrodynamics, and complex liquids. Selected applications, including fluctuation theorems, condensed phase reaction rate theory, electron transfer dynamics, enzymatic networks, photon counting statistics, single molecule kinetics, reaction-controlled diffusion, may also be discussed.