This book fills a gap between many of the basic solid state physics and materials science
books that are currently available. It is written for a mixed audience of electrical
engineering and applied physics students who have some knowledge of elementary
undergraduate quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics. This book, based on a
successful course taught at MIT, is divided pedagogically into three parts: (I) ElectronicStructure, (II) Transport Properties, and (III) Optical Properties. Each topic is explained
in the context of bulk materials and then extended to low-dimensional materials where
applicable. Problem sets review the content of each chapter to help students to understand
the material described in each of the chapters more deeply and to prepare them to master
the next chapters.