Admission Requirements
There are no strict requirements, but prior knowledge in Analysis and Statistical Physics are relevant.
Description
This course provides an introduction to Soft Matter Physics through the prism of fluid phenomena. From sand dunes to living cells, Soft Matter Physics rationalizes the complex behaviours of matter from the micro-scale to the macro-scale. With a focus on fundamental fluid phenomena such as viscous flows and capillarity, the course will introduce a variety of Soft Matter systems and the quantitative tools used to describe them. Throughout the course, we will peek at current research which build on these fundamental concepts.
In this course, you will learn to question and explain properties of a variety of common yet complex materials: from simple to complex fluids, from microscopic details to macroscopic behaviours.
Specific topics are:
Navier-Stokes equations
Simple fluids hydrodynamics
Viscosity and viscous flows
Capillary phenomena
Along the course, you will also explore recent advances in Soft Matter Physics, notably in the fields of microfluidics and active matter.
Course Objectives
On completing this course, you will know how to:
derive the dynamics equations for fluids, describe fluid flows at various scales, study bulk and interfacial fluid phenomena
perform dimensional analysis to make quantitative predictions, discuss scaling
read and analyze a research article
Transferrable skills:
formulate your own approach to solve a problem, divided into multiple subsequent steps.
critically apply your knowledge to complex situations
Timetable
See timetable in Brightspace
In MyTimetable, you can find all course and programme schedules, allowing you to create your personal timetable. Activities for which you have enrolled via MyStudyMap will automatically appear in your timetable.
Additionally, you can easily link MyTimetable to a calendar app on your phone, and schedule changes will be automatically updated in your calendar. You can also choose to receive email notifications about schedule changes. You can enable notifications in Settings after logging in.
Questions? Watch the video, read the instructions, or contact the ISSC helpdesk.
Note: Joint Degree students from Leiden/Delft need to combine information from both the Leiden and Delft MyTimetables to see a complete schedule. This video explains how to do it.
Mode of Instruction
Lectures and exercise classes.
For more informations see Brightspace
Assessment Method
Written examination with short questions (100 %)
A bonus of up to ½ point rewards active participation to the Exercise classes.
Reading list
The following textbook is recommended to deepen the materials covered during the lectures: Physical Hydrodynamics – Etienne Guyon, Jean-Pierre Hulin, Luc Petit & Catalin D. Mitescu (Oxford University Press, edition 2015), ISBN 978-0-19-870245-0 (pbk.)
It can be accessed online through Leiden University Library website.
Registration
As a student, you are responsible for enrolling on time through MyStudyMap.
In this short video, you can see step-by-step how to enrol for courses in MyStudyMap.
Extensive information about the operation of MyStudyMap can be found here.
There are two enrolment periods per year:
Enrolment for the fall opens in July
Enrolment for the spring opens in December
See this page for more information about deadlines and enrolling for courses and exams.
Note:
It is mandatory to enrol for all activities of a course that you are going to follow.
Your enrolment is only complete when you submit your course planning in the ‘Ready for enrolment’ tab by clicking ‘Send’.
Not being enrolled for an exam/resit means that you are not allowed to participate in the exam/resit.
Contact
Lecturer: Dr. Alexandre Morin
Remarks
Software
Starting from the 2024/2025 academic year, the Faculty of Science will use the software distribution platform Academic Software. Through this platform, you can access the software needed for specific courses in your studies. For some software, your laptop must meet certain system requirements, which will be specified with the software. It is important to install the software before the start of the course. More information about the laptop requirements can be found on the student website.