Introduction to Soft Matter Physics

Topics:

• Principles of phase transitions: Thermodynamic and statistical concepts, Landau-theory, Mean-field theory

• Liquid crystals: Order parameter and mesophases, Models for the isotropic/nematic transition, Elastic properties, External fields

• Polymers: Chain models, Self-similarity and scaling, Mean-field concepts,Specific polymer systems, Dynamics, Charged systems

• Selected problems of biological physics