Universal Theories

This course introduces the notion of universality, whereby a large zoo of seemingly disparate systems can be described by the same theory. It introduces a powerful and widely applicable concept known as renormalization group which explains where this universality comes from. It introduces some paradigmatic frameworks underpinning condensed matter physics, including band structure and the quasiparticle concept. This course introduces two pillars of modern condensed matter physics. The first two modules introduce the renormalization group, which is the central paradigm of modern statistical physics, and has wide applicability across physics and beyond. The third and fourth modules introduce band theory, which is central to solid state physics, and uses it to explain metals and insulators.