Matter is any substance that has mass and takes up space by having volume. It generally includes atoms and anything made up of them (molecules), and any particles (or combination of particles) that act as if they have both rest mass and volume. So matter can be in a form of condensed state (solid state & liquid state) and gaseous state. Here, we shall define “solid” as any materials in which atoms, ions or molecules are fixed in position, except for thermal vibration.

     In this course, Solid state physics will be focused on rigid matter, or solids, by understanding quantum mechanics, crystallography, and electromagnetism. However, classical mechanics will be introduced in early section to link with quantum mechanics. Even though “physics” is in the name of this course, we are not going to derive the equations and not going to test your ability of memorizing the equations. Instead, fundamental concepts, principles, laws and theories will be studied to understand the structure and properties of solid materials and to engineer those solid materials.

     Study of this subject will arise from the atomic-scale to the electromagnetic properties of solid materials and applications of those materials at the end. Actually, this course is about what we had learned in high school but more deeply in the way of “how” and “why”. For example, we’d already known about atoms (proton, electron and neutron) and formation of bonds between atoms, but here we will study how and why electrons behave around the nucleus, the energy states of those electrons, and how those energy states influence formation of bonds between atoms. More deeply, we will study crystal structure of solid materials depend on the how those bonds are formed and effect of bonding and crystal structure on the properties of solid materials. On the requirement of this course, you will be learned the general physic, general chemistry and also related engineering fields.

     There are several reasons why we choose to focus only solid state. Solid is one of the four fundamental states (solid, liquid, gas, and plasma) of matter and also most of the elements in periodic table are in the form of solid at standard temperature and pressure. Besides, solid state physics is the largest branch of condensed matter physics and also a theoretical basis of materials science. Since I design this course as a integrated subject, I have to say this course is most important course for materials science and also important for physic, chemistry, and electrical engineering. And you will see how beauty of this subject all along you are taking this course and also the basic concepts of all solid materials will help you to understand characteristic and properties of solid materials and how to engineer those solid materials in your related fields.