Courses — Samriddha Ganguly

147

Credits Earned

Semesters

Courses Taken

Live · 2025–2026 Semester II (Sem VIII)

PHY402O · 4 Credits

Atomic and Molecular Physics

Instructor: Dr. Rajib Saha

SpectroscopyFine StructureMolecular Orbitals

Details ›

References

Foot — Atomic Physics
Bransden & Joachain — Physics of Atoms and Molecules
Herzberg — Molecular Spectra and Molecular Structure
Atkins & Friedman — Molecular Quantum Mechanics

Topics Covered

Hydrogen spectrum, fine structure, Lamb shift
Multi-electron atoms: Hartree-Fock, LS and jj coupling
Zeeman effect (normal & anomalous), Stark effect
Born-Oppenheimer approximation, molecular energy levels
Rotational, vibrational and electronic spectra of molecules
Laser physics: Einstein coefficients, population inversion

Assignments & PYQs

HW1–HW5 (fine structure to molecular spectra)
End-sem 2024 — Zeeman & Stark effect problems
End-sem 2023 — Multi-electron coupling schemes

Grading

Assignments — 20%
Mid-sem — 30%
End-sem — 50%

Dr. Rajib Saha · PHY Dept.

The anomalous Zeeman effect was the first place I saw how quantum numbers and group representation theory generate observable spectral patterns — a direct link to my topological work on symmetry-protected phases.

PHY404 · 4 Credits

Nuclear and Particle Physics

Instructor: Dr. Rahul Srivastava

Nuclear StructureStandard ModelDetectors

Details ›

References

Krane — Introductory Nuclear Physics
Martin — Nuclear and Particle Physics
Griffiths — Introduction to Elementary Particles
Perkins — Introduction to High Energy Physics

Topics Covered

Nuclear properties: mass, radius, binding energy, stability
Nuclear models: liquid drop, shell model
Radioactive decay: alpha, beta, gamma; decay laws
Nuclear reactions, cross sections, fission and fusion
Elementary particles: quarks, leptons, gauge bosons
Standard Model overview, Feynman diagrams for weak interactions

Assignments & PYQs

HW1–HW5 (nuclear models to particle physics)
End-sem 2024 — Shell model & decay problems
End-sem 2023 — Standard Model, cross sections

Grading

Assignments — 20%
Mid-sem — 30%
End-sem — 50%

Dr. Rahul Srivastava · PHY Dept.

Connects naturally to my UC Berkeley REYES work on the QCD internal structure of hadrons. The shell model resonates with the band structure intuition from condensed matter — filled shells, magic numbers, energy gaps.

PHY406 · 3 Credits

Nuclear Laboratory

Instructor: Dr. Ravi Shankar Singh

LabDetectorsRadioactivity

Details ›

Experiments

Geiger-Müller counter: plateau, dead time, statistics
Gamma spectroscopy with NaI(Tl) scintillator
Beta absorption and range in matter
Half-life measurement of radioactive sources
Compton scattering and backscattering peaks
Radiation safety protocols and dose estimation

Grading

Lab reports — 50%
Viva voce — 30%
Lab notebook — 20%

Dr. Ravi Shankar Singh · PHY Dept.

Working with actual radioactive sources makes the decay law feel viscerally real in a way that no problem set can replicate. The gamma spectroscopy experiment in particular — resolving individual nuclear energy levels — was striking.

PHY644 · 4 Credits

Group Theory for Physicists

Instructor: Prof. Subhash Chaturvedi

Lie AlgebrasRepresentationsSymmetry Classes

Details ›

References

Georgi — Lie Algebras in Particle Physics
Zee — Group Theory in a Nutshell for Physicists
Tung — Group Theory in Physics
Cornwell — Group Theory in Physics Vol. I

Topics Covered

Finite groups: representations, characters, orthogonality
Lie groups and Lie algebras: structure constants, roots
SU(2), SU(3), SO(3): irreps, Clebsch-Gordan decomposition
Applications to particle physics: isospin, eightfold way
Crystallographic point and space groups
Wigner-Eckart theorem, selection rules

Assignments & PYQs

HW1–HW5 (finite groups to Wigner-Eckart)
Problem set on SU(3) weight diagrams
End-sem 2024 — Lie algebra root systems

Grading

Assignments — 30%
Mid-sem — 30%
End-sem — 40%

Prof. Subhash Chaturvedi · PHY Dept.

The course I have been waiting for since MTH203. The connection between root systems and band topology — specifically how the AZ symmetry classes arise from Clifford algebra representations — is something I am actively using in my research right now.

PHY620 · 4 Credits

Magnetism and Superconductivity

Instructor: Prof. Dhanvir Singh Rana

MagnonsPairing SymmetryProximity Effect

Details ›

References

Blundell — Magnetism in Condensed Matter
Tinkham — Introduction to Superconductivity
de Gennes — Superconductivity of Metals and Alloys
Coey — Magnetism and Magnetic Materials

Topics Covered

Exchange interactions: direct, superexchange, RKKY, Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya
Spin waves (magnons): dispersion, quantisation, thermal effects
Topological magnon bands, magnon Hall effect
GL theory, London equations, flux quantisation, Josephson effect
Gap symmetry: s-wave, d-wave, p-wave, triplet pairing
Proximity effect in SC-FM heterostructures, Andreev reflection

Assignments & PYQs

HW1–HW5 (exchange to proximity effect)
End-sem 2024 — GL theory & magnon dispersions
Research reading: Bergeret et al. RMP 2005

Grading

Assignments — 20%
Mid-sem — 30%
End-sem — 50%

Prof. Dhanvir Singh Rana · PHY Dept.

This is essentially a graduate course in my own research area. The proximity effect and triplet pairing sections overlap directly with my current SC–FM heterostructure work with Prof. Ravi Prakash Singh. Taking this course while actively doing research on these topics is a rare privilege.

ECS676 · 4 Credits

Digital Circuits and Systems

Instructor: Dr. Poonam Sharma

FPGALogic DesignVHDL

Details ›

References

Wakerly — Digital Design: Principles and Practices
Mano & Ciletti — Digital Design
Roth & John — Digital Systems Design using VHDL

Topics Covered

Boolean algebra, Karnaugh maps, logic minimisation
Combinational circuits: adders, multiplexers, decoders
Sequential circuits: flip-flops, registers, counters
Finite state machines: Mealy and Moore models
VHDL: structural and behavioural modelling
FPGA architecture and implementation

Assignments & PYQs

HW1–HW4 (logic design to FSMs)
VHDL lab project: digital signal processing module
End-sem 2024 — FSM design and VHDL synthesis

Grading

Assignments — 20%
Lab project — 30%
Mid-sem + End-sem — 50%

Dr. Poonam Sharma · ECS Dept.

An overload course — taken out of curiosity about hardware. Understanding FPGA logic at a low level demystifies the instrumentation that experimental physicists rely on. Finite state machines have an elegant, almost topological structure to them.

2025–2026 · Semester I

PHY403 · 4 Credits

Condensed Matter Physics

Instructor: Prof. Dhanvir Singh Rana

BandsPhononsMagnetismSuperconductivity

Details ›

References

Kittel — Introduction to Solid State Physics
Ashcroft & Mermin — Solid State Physics
Marder — Condensed Matter Physics
Simon — Oxford Solid State Basics

Topics Covered

Crystal structure, reciprocal lattice, Brillouin zones
Drude & Sommerfeld models, Fermi surfaces
Band theory: tight binding, nearly free electron
Phonons, Debye/Einstein models, specific heat
Magnetism: dia-, para-, ferro-, antiferro-
BCS theory, Cooper pairs, gap equation

Problem Sets

PS1 — Lattice structures, symmetry groups
PS2 — Free electron gas, density of states
PS3 — Tight binding chains and 2D lattices
PS4 — Phonon dispersion, heat capacity
PS5 — Magnetic susceptibilities
PS6 — BCS gap equation, Bogoliubov transformation

Grading

Mid-semester exam — 30%
End-semester exam — 40%
Problem sets — 20%
Presentations / viva — 10%

Prof. Dhanvir Singh Rana · PHY Dept.

PYQs & Notes

End-sem 2023 — Band structure problems
End-sem 2022 — Phonon & magnetic ordering
Personal notes on topological extensions of band theory

This course was where everything clicked. Seeing how BCS, band theory, and magnetism all emerge from the same Hamiltonian framework made my topological research feel much more grounded. Earned an O and it genuinely felt deserved.

PHY405 · 3 Credits

Condensed Matter Physics Laboratory

Instructor: Dr. Arnab Khan

LabTransportXRD

Details ›

Experiments Performed

X-ray diffraction: crystal structure determination
Hall effect — carrier density & mobility
Four-probe resistivity (van der Pauw)
Magnetic susceptibility (Gouy balance)
Dielectric constant measurement
Thermal conductivity by comparative method

Reports & Grading

Lab report per experiment — 50%
Viva voce — 30%
Lab notebook maintenance — 20%

Dr. Arnab Khan · PHY Dept.

The Hall effect experiment was genuinely satisfying — computing a carrier density that matched the textbook value to within 5% felt like magic. Lab skills are underrated.

PHY407 · 4 Credits

Electrodynamics

Instructor: Dr. Adarsh Vasista

MaxwellRadiationGauge Theory

Details ›

References

Griffiths — Introduction to Electrodynamics
Jackson — Classical Electrodynamics
Zangwill — Modern Electrodynamics

Topics Covered

Review of statics; boundary value problems
Maxwell equations in matter, potentials
Electromagnetic waves; reflection & refraction
Waveguides, cavities
Radiation from accelerating charges; Larmor formula
Introduction to gauge invariance

Assignments & PYQs

HW1–HW5 (statics to radiation)
End-sem 2024 — multipole expansion & radiation
End-sem 2023 — waveguides & retarded potentials

Grading

Mid-sem — 30%, End-sem — 50%
Assignments — 20%

Dr. Adarsh Vasista · PHY Dept.

Jackson is brutal but rewarding. I wish I had spent more time on Green's function methods earlier — they show up everywhere in my QFT and CMP courses.

PHY615 · 4 Credits

Quantum Field Theory I

Instructor: Prof. Subhendra Mohanty

QFTFeynmanRenormalization

Details ›

References

Peskin & Schroeder — An Introduction to QFT
Srednicki — Quantum Field Theory
Tong — QFT lecture notes (Cambridge)
Weinberg — The Quantum Theory of Fields Vol. I

Topics Covered

Classical field theory, Noether's theorem
Canonical quantization: scalar, Dirac, EM fields
Path integral formulation
Feynman diagrams and rules in φ⁴, QED
Loops, divergences, dimensional regularization
Renormalization group: beta functions, fixed points

Problem Sets & PYQs

PS1–PS6 (canonical quantization to RG)
Take-home midterm: Feynman diagram calculation
End-sem 2023: path integrals + renormalization

Grading

Problem sets (6) — 40%
Mid-sem — 25%
End-sem — 35%

Prof. Subhendra Mohanty · PHY Dept.

The most intellectually demanding course I have taken. The moment renormalization stopped feeling like a trick and started feeling like profound physics was a turning point. Getting an O here means more to me than any other grade.

PHY637 · 4 Credits

Decoherence and Open Quantum Systems

Instructor: Prof. Subhas Chaturvedi

LindbladMaster Eq.Entanglement

Details ›

References

Breuer & Petruccione — Open Quantum Systems
Schlosshauer — Decoherence and the Quantum-to-Classical Transition
Nielsen & Chuang — Quantum Computation (Chs. 8–9)
Weiss — Quantum Dissipative Systems

Topics Covered

Density matrices, reduced density matrix, partial trace
Quantum channels: Kraus operators, CPTP maps
Lindblad master equation derivation
Caldeira–Leggett model, spin-boson model
Quantum Zeno effect, decoherence timescales
Non-Markovian dynamics, memory kernel

Assignments & PYQs

HW1–HW4 (density matrices to non-Markovian)
Term paper: "Decoherence in magnonic systems"
End-sem 2024: Lindblad & Zeno problems

Grading

Assignments — 30%
Term paper + presentation — 30%
End-sem — 40%

Prof. Subhas Chaturvedi · PHY Dept.

This course directly fed into my published paper on chiral magnon decoherence. The Lindblad formalism is something every condensed matter physicist should know — it connects seamlessly to Green's function methods.

PHY642 · 4 Credits

Special Topics in Quantum Mechanics

Instructor: Prof. Suvankar Dutta

TopologyBerry PhaseScattering

Details ›

References

Sakurai & Napolitano — Modern Quantum Mechanics
Bernevig & Hughes — Topological Insulators and Superconductors
Xiao, Chang, Niu — Berry phase effects (RMP 2010)

Topics Covered

Adiabatic theorem, Berry phase & Berry curvature
Chern numbers, bulk-boundary correspondence
Scattering theory: S-matrix, T-matrix, Born series
WKB approximation and tunneling
Symmetry classes of topological phases (K-theory intro)

Assignments & PYQs

HW1–HW4 (Berry phase to scattering)
Project: Chern insulator on a lattice (numerics)

Grading

Assignments — 25%
Project — 25%
Mid-sem + End-sem — 50%

Prof. Suvankar Dutta · PHY Dept.

The Berry phase section was revelatory — I had used Chern numbers in research without truly understanding their geometric origin. The scattering theory part felt more routine by comparison.

2024–2025 · Semester II

PHY302 · 4 Credits

Mathematical Methods II

Instructor: Dr. Rahul Srivastava

PDEsGreen's FunctionsIntegral Transforms

Details ›

References

Arfken, Weber & Harris — Mathematical Methods for Physicists
Boas — Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences
Stakgold — Green's Functions and Boundary Value Problems

Topics Covered

PDEs: wave, heat, Laplace equations
Separation of variables, Sturm-Liouville theory
Green's functions for differential operators
Fourier & Laplace transforms, convolution theorem
Tensor analysis, differential forms (intro)
Calculus of variations

Assignments

HW1–HW5 (PDEs through variational methods)
End-sem 2023: Green's functions & transforms

Grading

Assignments — 20%, Mid-sem — 30%, End-sem — 50%

Dr. Rahul Srivastava · PHY Dept.

Green's functions finally made sense here. I regret not spending more time on the tensor analysis section — it would have saved me weeks later in Electrodynamics and GR reading.

PHY304 · 4 Credits

Advanced Quantum Mechanics

Instructor: Dr. Arnab Rudra

Relativistic QMMany-BodyPath Integrals

Details ›

References

Sakurai — Modern Quantum Mechanics
Shankar — Principles of Quantum Mechanics
Baym — Lectures on Quantum Mechanics
Feynman & Hibbs — Quantum Mechanics & Path Integrals

Topics Covered

Time-independent perturbation theory (degenerate & non-degenerate)
Time-dependent perturbation theory, Fermi's golden rule
Dirac equation, relativistic corrections
Introduction to second quantization
Feynman path integral formulation

Assignments & PYQs

HW1–HW4
End-sem 2022, 2023: perturbation theory problems

Grading

Mid-sem — 30%, End-sem — 50%, HW — 20%

Dr. Arnab Rudra · PHY Dept.

My worst performance, and honest about why: I underestimated the Dirac equation section and over-relied on my intuition from QM1. A humbling but necessary course. The path integral material became my foundation for QFT later.

PHY306 · 4 Credits

Statistical Mechanics

Instructor: Prof. Auditya Sharma

EnsemblesPhase TransitionsRenormalization

Details ›

References

Pathria & Beale — Statistical Mechanics
Kardar — Statistical Physics of Particles
Goldenfeld — Lectures on Phase Transitions and the Renormalization Group

Topics Covered

Microstates, entropy, Boltzmann distribution
Canonical, grand canonical, microcanonical ensembles
Ideal quantum gases: Fermi-Dirac, Bose-Einstein
Ising model, mean field theory, Landau theory
Critical phenomena, scaling, universality
Wilson RG, ε-expansion (intro)

Assignments & PYQs

HW1–HW5 (ensembles to RG)
End-sem 2023: phase transitions & Ising model

Grading

HW — 20%, Mid-sem — 30%, End-sem — 50%

Prof. Auditya Sharma · PHY Dept.

The Wilson RG section connected directly to my QFT course the following semester — seeing the same ideas appear independently in stat mech and field theory was one of those moments you remember as a physics student.

PHY308 · 3 Credits

Physics Laboratory II

Instructor: Dr. Adarsh Vasista

LabElectronicsOptics

Details ›

Experiments

Franck-Hertz experiment
Michelson interferometer
Faraday effect in glass
Lock-in amplifier techniques
Op-amp circuits: filters, oscillators

A solid lab course. The Faraday effect experiment gave me genuine intuition for magneto-optics that no lecture had managed to convey.

PHY312 · 4 Credits

Numerical Methods and Programming

Instructor: Dr. Sunil Pratap Singh

PythonODE SolversMonte Carlo

Details ›

References

Newman — Computational Physics (Python)
Press et al. — Numerical Recipes
Landau, Páez & Bordeianu — Computational Physics

Topics & Projects

Root finding, numerical integration, ODE/PDE solvers
Linear algebra: LU decomp, eigenvalue problems
Monte Carlo integration & Metropolis algorithm
Fast Fourier Transform and spectral analysis
Final project: Ising model via Metropolis MC

This course directly improved my research output. Implementing the Metropolis algorithm from scratch gave me the numerical confidence I needed for exact diagonalization work later.

PHY314 · 3 Credits

Introduction to Special Relativity

Instructor: Dr. Suhas Gangadhariah

4-VectorsLorentzCovariance

Details ›

References

Taylor & Wheeler — Spacetime Physics
Griffiths — Introduction to Electrodynamics (Ch. 12)
Rindler — Introduction to Special Relativity

Topics Covered

Postulates, time dilation, length contraction
Lorentz transformations, 4-vectors, spacetime diagrams
Relativistic mechanics: energy, momentum, collisions
Covariant formulation of electrodynamics

The covariant formulation of EM was the highlight — it made the symmetry of Maxwell's equations feel almost inevitable rather than miraculous. Essential before QFT.

2024–2025 · Semester I

MTH303 · 4 Credits

Real Analysis I

Instructor: Dr. Prahlad Vaidyanathan

AnalysisTopologyConvergence

Details ›

References

Rudin — Principles of Mathematical Analysis
Abbott — Understanding Analysis
Apostol — Mathematical Analysis

Topics Covered

Real number system, completeness axiom
Sequences and series: convergence, Cauchy criterion
Metric spaces, open/closed sets, compactness
Continuity, uniform continuity
Differentiation, Mean Value Theorem, Taylor's theorem

Baby Rudin is as hard as advertised. The epsilon-delta proofs were painful but permanently sharpened my mathematical thinking. Useful for functional analysis in QFT later.

PHY301 · 4 Credits

Mathematical Methods I

Instructor: Dr. Rahul Srivastava

Complex AnalysisContour IntegrationSpecial Functions

Details ›

References

Arfken & Weber — Mathematical Methods for Physicists
Churchill & Brown — Complex Variables and Applications

Topics Covered

Complex analysis: Cauchy-Riemann, contour integration
Residue theorem and applications
Special functions: Bessel, Legendre, Hermite, Laguerre
Orthogonality, generating functions, recurrence relations
Laplace & Fourier transform methods

Contour integration is genuinely magical once it clicks. I use residue theorem calculations constantly in my research — it's one of the most immediately applicable tools in the physicist's toolkit.

PHY303 · 4 Credits

Introduction to Quantum Mechanics

Instructor: Dr. Arnab Rudra

SchrödingerAngular MomentumSpin

Details ›

References

Griffiths — Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
Shankar — Principles of Quantum Mechanics
Cohen-Tannoudji — Quantum Mechanics Vol. I

Topics Covered

Wave functions, Schrödinger equation, Hilbert space
1D problems: wells, barriers, harmonic oscillator
Formalism: operators, eigenstates, uncertainty principle
3D: hydrogen atom, spherical harmonics
Angular momentum, spin, addition of angular momenta
Identical particles, exchange symmetry

A C is honest — I was overconfident coming in from Quantum Physics (PHY106) and underestimated how much more rigorous this course was. A defining lesson in the difference between familiarity and understanding.

PHY305 · 4 Credits

Classical Mechanics

Instructor: Dr. Chandan Samanta

LagrangianHamiltonianChaos

Details ›

References

Goldstein, Poole & Safko — Classical Mechanics
Landau & Lifshitz — Mechanics
Hand & Finch — Analytical Mechanics

Topics Covered

Lagrangian mechanics, Euler-Lagrange equations, constraints
Noether's theorem, conservation laws
Hamiltonian mechanics, canonical transformations
Poisson brackets, action-angle variables
Small oscillations, normal modes
Nonlinear dynamics and chaos (intro)

Landau & Lifshitz's Mechanics is a masterpiece of concision. Noether's theorem connecting symmetries to conservation laws felt like unlocking a secret layer of physics. This course reframed everything I thought I knew about mechanics.

PHY307 · 3 Credits

Physics Laboratory I

Instructor: Dr. Rohan Singh

LabError Analysis

Details ›

Experiments

Millikan oil drop experiment
Zeeman effect & spectroscopy
e/m ratio of electrons
Diffraction grating & sodium doublet
Torsion balance (Cavendish)

The Zeeman effect experiment is one of the few times in a physics degree where you directly observe quantum mechanics with your hands. Memorable.

PHY311 · 3 Credits

Basic Electronics

Instructor: Dr. Mitradip Bhattacharjee

DiodesTransistorsOp-Amps

Details ›

References

Malvino & Bates — Electronic Principles
Sedra & Smith — Microelectronic Circuits
Horowitz & Hill — The Art of Electronics

Topics Covered

Diodes, rectifiers, Zener regulators
BJT and FET: biasing, amplifiers
Op-amp: inverting, non-inverting, integrator, differentiator
Oscillators: LC, Colpitts, Wien bridge
Digital logic basics, ADC/DAC

More practical than I expected. Understanding lock-in amplifiers — which I use routinely in lab — required exactly the op-amp circuits covered here. Wished I had taken it more seriously.

IPR500 · 1 Credit

Law Relating to Intellectual Property and Patents

Instructor: Dr. Feroz Khan Suri

IPRPatents

Details ›

Topics

Indian patent law, PCT applications
Copyright, trademarks, trade secrets
IP in academic research and industry

Short but surprisingly useful. Understanding what constitutes patentable invention vs. scientific discovery changed how I think about research disclosure.

2023–2024 · Semester II

CHM204 · 3 Credits

Basic Inorganic Chemistry

Instructor: Prof. Sanjit Konar

CoordinationCrystal FieldOrganometallics

Details ›

References

Shriver & Atkins — Inorganic Chemistry
Miessler, Fischer & Tarr — Inorganic Chemistry

Topics Covered

Periodic trends, atomic structure
Coordination chemistry, VSEPR, ligand field theory
Crystal field theory, splitting patterns
Organometallics, catalysis basics

Crystal field theory was unexpectedly connected to the physics of spin-orbit coupling — another reminder that the disciplines are more continuous than the curriculum implies.

CHM206 · 1 Credit

Chemistry Laboratory III

Instructor: Prof. Deepak Chopra

LabInorganic Synthesis

Details ›

Experiments

Synthesis and characterisation of coordination compounds
Gravimetric analysis
Colorimetric determination of metal ions

A companion to Inorganic Chemistry — the synthesis lab made ligand field splitting feel tangible when you see the colours of coordination complexes change with the ligand.

CHM222 · 3 Credits

Classical Thermodynamics

Instructor: Prof. Amit Paul

ThermodynamicsGibbs Free EnergyCycles

Details ›

Topics Covered

Laws of thermodynamics, Carnot cycle
Entropy, Helmholtz and Gibbs free energies
Chemical potential, phase equilibria, phase rule
Mixtures, colligative properties, chemical equilibrium

The chemical perspective on thermodynamics complemented the physics stat mech course nicely. Seeing Gibbs free energy as the natural equilibrium criterion rather than entropy was clarifying.

MTH202 · 3 Credits

Probability and Statistics

Instructor: Dr. Prahlad Vaidyanathan

ProbabilityBayesianStatistics

Details ›

Topics Covered

Probability spaces, random variables, distributions
Central limit theorem, law of large numbers
Estimation: MLE, Bayesian, confidence intervals
Hypothesis testing, chi-square and t-tests
Linear regression, ANOVA basics

Foundational for data-driven physics and machine learning approaches to phase identification — directly applicable to my computational work.

MTH204 · 3 Credits

Complex Variables

Instructor: Prof. Saurabh Srivastava

Complex AnalysisConformal MapsResidues

Details ›

Topics Covered

Analytic functions, Cauchy-Riemann equations
Cauchy's integral theorem and formula
Laurent series, poles, residues
Contour integration, real integral evaluation
Conformal mappings, Möbius transformations

The rigorous mathematics version of what Mathematical Methods I covered — approaching it from the math side first made the physics applications feel cleaner when they appeared later.

PHY206 · 3 Credits

Physics Through Computational Thinking

Instructor: Dr. Mayuresh Surnis

SimulationPythonVisualization

Details ›

Topics & Projects

Projectile motion and N-body simulation
Numerical solution of Schrödinger equation
Molecular dynamics simulation
Cellular automata, Conway's Game of Life
Data visualization: matplotlib, numpy

This is where I first programmed a quantum mechanical system. Watching a wavefunction evolve numerically made the time-dependent Schrödinger equation suddenly feel real.

PHY208 · 3 Credits

General Properties of Matter

Instructor: Dr. Surajit Saha

ElasticityFluid DynamicsSurface Tension

Details ›

Topics Covered

Elasticity: stress, strain, moduli
Fluid statics and dynamics: Bernoulli, viscosity
Surface tension, capillarity, wetting
Diffusion, Brownian motion

A pleasant, intuitive course. Brownian motion connects beautifully to statistical mechanics and field theory — one of those bridges between macroscopic observation and microscopic theory.

PHY210 · 1 Credit

General Physics Laboratory III

Instructor: Prof. KV Adarsh

LabAdvanced Optics

Details ›

Experiments

Fabry-Perot interferometry
Optical pumping of rubidium
Speed of light measurement
Electron spin resonance

The optical pumping experiment was a preview of atomic physics — manipulating quantum states with light in real time. One of the more memorable lab experiences of the first four semesters.

2023–2024 · Semester I

CHM211 · 3 Credits

Basic Organic Chemistry II

Instructor: Prof. Manmohan Kapur

OrganicReactionsSynthesis

Details ›

Topics Covered

Carbonyl chemistry, aldehydes & ketones
Carboxylic acids and derivatives
Amines, aromatic chemistry
Multi-step synthesis strategies

Enjoyable as a puzzle-solving exercise — organic synthesis has an aesthetic to it. Not directly relevant to my current research, but the problem-solving discipline transfers.

CHM221 · 3 Credits

Basic Physical Chemistry

Instructor: Prof. Abhijit Patra

KineticsQuantum ChemSpectroscopy

Details ›

Topics Covered

Chemical kinetics, rate laws, mechanisms
Quantum chemistry: particle in a box, molecular orbitals
Rotational, vibrational, electronic spectroscopy
Statistical thermodynamics intro

The statistical thermodynamics intro here paired well with my physics stat mech course. The spectroscopy section was my first encounter with energy quantisation in a chemistry context.

CHM223 · 1 Credit

Chemistry Laboratory II

Instructor: Dr. Sachin Dev Verma

LabOrganic Synthesis

Details ›

Experiments

Multi-step organic synthesis: aspirin, paracetamol
Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) for product identification
Recrystallisation and melting point determination

Synthesis lab — satisfying when the reaction works, frustrating when it doesn't. Good practice in experimental patience.

MTH201 · 3 Credits

Multivariable Calculus

Instructor: Dr. Ambuj Pandey

Vector CalculusStokesManifolds

Details ›

Topics Covered

Partial derivatives, gradient, divergence, curl
Multiple integrals: change of variables
Line and surface integrals
Green's, Stokes', Divergence theorems
Introduction to differential geometry (curves, surfaces)

Stokes' theorem generalises beautifully into differential forms and de Rham cohomology — the foundation for everything topological I do now. This course planted that seed.

MTH203 · 3 Credits

Introduction to Groups and Symmetry

Instructor: Dr. Rohit Dilip Holkar

Group TheoryRepresentationsLie Groups

Details ›

References

Artin — Algebra
Georgi — Lie Algebras in Particle Physics
Zee — Group Theory in a Nutshell for Physicists

Topics Covered

Groups, subgroups, quotient groups, homomorphisms
Group representations, characters, Schur's lemma
Point groups and crystal symmetry
Lie groups and Lie algebras: SO(3), SU(2), SU(3)

The single most useful mathematics course for my research. Understanding representation theory changed how I think about Hamiltonians, topological invariants, and symmetry classes. A course I return to constantly.

PHY201 · 3 Credits

Waves and Optics

Instructor: Dr. Arnab Khan

Wave MechanicsInterferenceDiffraction

Details ›

Topics Covered

Wave equation, superposition, standing waves
Interference: Young's, thin films, Fabry-Perot
Fraunhofer and Fresnel diffraction
Polarisation, birefringence, optical activity
Lasers, coherence, holography

My first serious encounter with the concept of coherence — which later became central to my work on magnon decoherence. The conceptual threads from a second-year optics course ran further than I expected.

PHY205 · 1 Credit

General Physics Laboratory II

Instructor: Dr. KV Adarsh

LabOptics

Details ›

Experiments

Newton's rings and interference patterns
Polarimetry and optical rotation
Acoustic resonance in air columns
Young's modulus by bending beam

Newton's rings made the wave nature of light feel as tangible as possible — watching fringes shift as you tighten a screw is a pleasingly direct demonstration.

PHY209 · 3 Credits

Electromagnetism

Instructor: Dr. Ritam Mallick

MaxwellPotentialsEM Waves

Details ›

References

Griffiths — Introduction to Electrodynamics
Griffiths — Problems from the textbook (all odd-numbered)

Topics Covered

Electrostatics, conductors, dielectrics
Magnetostatics, vector potential, Biot-Savart
Faraday's law, displacement current, Maxwell equations
Electromagnetic waves, Poynting vector
Introduction to potentials: scalar, vector

Griffiths is a joy to read but the boundary value problems were where I struggled. My B reflects that. The Maxwell equations feel deeply beautiful — their symmetry and completeness is remarkable.

2022–2023 · Semester II

BIO102 · 3 Credits

Biology II: Fundamentals of Cell Biology

Instructor: Prof. Raghuvir Singh Tomar

Cell BiologyGenetics

Details ›

Topics Covered

Cell organelles, membrane transport
Cell cycle, mitosis and meiosis
Signal transduction, gene expression
Mendelian genetics, molecular basis of heredity

The IISER breadth requirement. Useful to have a basic model of how living systems work — the statistical mechanics of gene regulation is genuinely interesting.

CHM112 · 3 Credits

Basic Organic Chemistry I

Instructor: Prof. Manmohan Kapur

OrganicStereochemistry

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Topics Covered

Functional groups, nomenclature
Stereochemistry: chirality, R/S, E/Z
Substitution (SN1, SN2) and elimination reactions
Alkene and alkyne chemistry

The stereochemistry section was where I first encountered chirality as a physical concept — a thread that runs through everything from molecular handedness to topological phases.

CHM114 · 1 Credit

Chemistry Laboratory I

Instructor: Prof. Aasheesh Srivastava and Dr. Dimpy Kalia

LabTitration

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Experiments

Acid-base titrations: standardisation, indicators
Redox titrations: KMnO₄, Na₂S₂O₃
Gravimetric analysis: precipitation and filtration
Synthesis of basic organic compounds

First proper lab course. Learning that a titration endpoint is a phase transition — a sharp colour change at a critical concentration — made the chemistry feel connected to broader physical ideas.

ECS102 · 3 Credits

Introduction to Programming

Instructor: Dr. Vivek Singh

PythonAlgorithmsCS Fundamentals

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Topics Covered

Python: data types, control flow, functions
Data structures: lists, dicts, sets
Algorithmic thinking: sorting, searching
Basic OOP and file I/O
Intro to scientific computing: numpy, matplotlib

This course gave me Python — the most useful tool I have acquired in my education. Everything in computational physics flows from being fluent in a programming language. Wish there had been more of it.

EES102 · 3 Credits

Introduction to Environmental Sciences

Instructor: Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Jha

EnvironmentClimate

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Topics Covered

Ecosystems, biogeochemical cycles
Climate science, greenhouse effect
Pollution, resource depletion, biodiversity
Environmental policy and sustainability

The physics of climate feedbacks — radiative forcing, albedo, tipping points — maps naturally onto dynamical systems and phase transition ideas. An underrated connection.

MTH102 · 3 Credits

Linear Algebra

Instructor: Dr. Anjan Gupta

Linear AlgebraEigenvaluesVector Spaces

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References

Strang — Introduction to Linear Algebra
Hoffman & Kunze — Linear Algebra

Topics Covered

Vector spaces, basis, dimension, linear maps
Matrices, row reduction, determinants
Eigenvalues, eigenvectors, diagonalisation
Inner product spaces, orthogonality, SVD
Jordan normal form

In hindsight, linear algebra is the language of quantum mechanics — but I didn't appreciate that until much later. If I were doing it again, I would treat this as the most important course of the first year.

PHY106 · 3 Credits

Quantum Physics

Instructor: Dr. Rahul Srivastava

Modern PhysicsWave-ParticleHydrogen Atom

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Topics Covered

Blackbody radiation, photoelectric effect, Compton scattering
de Broglie waves, Bohr model, matter waves
Schrödinger equation, uncertainty principle
Hydrogen atom, spectral series
Spin, Pauli exclusion principle

The course that made me certain physics was what I wanted to do. The moment the ultraviolet catastrophe was explained — and how Planck's quantisation resolved it — was genuinely thrilling. A landmark course in my education.

2022–2023 · Semester I

BIO101 · 3 Credits

Biology I: Biomolecules

Instructor: Prof. Debasis Nayak

BiochemistryProteins

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Topics Covered

Amino acids, proteins, nucleic acids
Lipids, carbohydrates, membranes
Enzymology: kinetics, inhibition
Central dogma: transcription, translation

Required breadth for IISER. The physical chemistry of protein folding is a fascinating statistical mechanics problem in disguise.

BIO103 · 1 Credit

General Biology Laboratory

Instructor: Dr. Pankaj Pandey

LabMicroscopy

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Experiments

Optical microscopy: cell structure identification
Gel electrophoresis: DNA and protein separation
Enzyme activity assays
Gram staining and microbial culture

Gel electrophoresis felt like watching a separation happen in real time — a surprisingly satisfying experiment for a first-semester student.

CHM101 · 3 Credits

General Chemistry

Instructor: Dr. Ankur Gupta

Periodic TableBondingThermochemistry

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Topics Covered

Atomic structure, periodic trends
Chemical bonding: ionic, covalent, metallic, VSEPR
Thermochemistry, Hess's law, enthalpy
Electrochemistry, equilibrium basics

A solid foundation. The connection between chemical bonding and the quantum mechanics of electrons became clearer only later — but this course built the vocabulary.

EES101 · 3 Credits

Earth Materials and Processes

Instructor: Dr. Arundhati Ghatak

GeoscienceMineralogy

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Topics Covered

Mineralogy, rock types, geological time
Plate tectonics, seismology basics
Earth's interior: composition, dynamics
Surface processes: erosion, weathering, sedimentation

Unexpectedly fun. Plate tectonics as a convection problem — heat flowing through a viscous mantle — has satisfying physics underneath.

HSS101 · 2 Credits

English for Communication

Instructor: Dr. Adity Singh

WritingCommunication

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Topics

Academic writing, essay structure, précis writing
Presentation skills, technical communication
Reading comprehension, critical analysis

Undervalued. Clear scientific writing is genuinely difficult — and this course planted the early seeds. Writing my first paper reminded me how much good communication matters in science.

MTH101 · 3 Credits

Calculus of One Variable

Instructor: Dr. Dheeraj Dattatray Kulkarni

CalculusSequencesIntegration

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Topics Covered

Limits, continuity, differentiation
Mean Value Theorem, Taylor series
Riemann integration, Fundamental Theorem
Sequences and series, convergence tests

The course that marks the transition from school mathematics to university mathematics. Rigour matters — and that lesson took longer than a single semester to fully absorb.

PHY101 · 3 Credits

Mechanics

Instructor: Prof. Auditya Sharma

NewtonianOscillationsCentral Force

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References

Kleppner & Kolenkow — An Introduction to Mechanics
Morin — Introduction to Classical Mechanics

Topics Covered

Newton's laws, frames of reference, pseudo-forces
Work, energy, conservation laws
Central force problem, Kepler's laws
Rotation, rigid body dynamics, gyroscopes
Oscillations: SHM, damped, driven, resonance

Kleppner & Kolenkow is beautifully difficult for a first physics course. The problems are hard in the right way — they build physical intuition, not just computational skill. My love of mechanics started here.

PHY103 · 1 Credit

General Physics Laboratory I

Instructor: Prof. Snigdha Thakur

LabMechanics

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Experiments

Simple and compound pendulum: g measurement
Moment of inertia of a flywheel
Surface tension by capillary rise
Viscosity by Stokes' method
Verification of Hooke's law

The first lab course — measuring g with a pendulum is an ancient experiment, but doing it carefully, with proper error analysis, teaches you more about scientific practice than any lecture.

PT101 · 1 Credit

Physical Training

Instructor: Sports Office IISERB

SportsFitness

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An S grade and a welcome reminder that there is a physical world outside the classroom. Running laps while thinking about Hamiltonian mechanics is, it turns out, a reasonable way to spend an afternoon.