Topics in Physical Chemistry: Coarse-graining and nonequilibrium statistical mechanics

This course covers the theory of coarse-graining and modern treatments of non-equilibrium statistical mechanics. Topics include classical density functional theory, static and dynamic correlation functions in fluids, fluctuation theorems, large-deviation theory, stochastic thermodynamics, and dynamical phase transitions. Practical techniques for constructing coarse-grained models and studying nonequilibrium many-body systems via computer simulation are discussed. Applications to soft matter, molecular self-assembly, and biophysics are introduced through discussion of selected papers from the current literature.