This course provides an overview of electronic structure theory as applied to materials.

Part 1 (compulsory): Dr Paul Tangney and Dr Johannes Lischner
16 one-hour lectures and 4 rapid feedback sessions in Term 1

Making quantum mechanics tractable for many-electron systems

• Statement of the problem
• Mathematically separating electrons and nuclei
• Calculating electronic properties using the wave function
• Calculating electronic properties using the density

Using quantum mechanics to compute the properties of materials

• The mysteries of metals
• Electrons in cystals
• From atoms to crystals
• Beyond the rigid ion approximation
  
  

Part 2 (optional advanced): Dr Arash Mostofi
8 hours of classes in Term 2

• Energy bands in solids
• Density-functional theory 
• Wannier functions
• Electronic excitations