Continuum Mechanics

Continuum Mechanics essentially covers everything that is not Quantum Mechanics or Statistical Mechanics. It is taught by Geert Verdoolaege, and is very well put together, the course notes reading like a book. The actual book for the course is not well written, so perhaps just stick to learning from the course notes, as only that material will be on the exam anyways.

Lectures are augmented with exercise sessions, which you are expected to come to with the problems already solved and present them to your classmates. You are not graded on this, but the experience is invaluable in actually learning the material. The course uses Einstein Summation Notation and those unfamiliar with this form of mathematics may find even simple questions daunting at first without some assistance from the teaching assistant.

The exam itself is written, one exercise section with the use of notes and one theoretical section without notes. The theoretical section typically asks to perform one or two of the derivations seen during the course. There is a brief oral exam at the end, which is just a time to clarify your answers to the professor. If you have not answered enough of the questions successfully, Professor Verdoolaege will ask additional questions at this time.

IMPORTANT: This course has overlap with the course "Statistical physics II" which is also one of the elective options presented to you by the program, so keep that in mind when making your choice of courses.