A Lightning Introduction to Non-equilibrium Statistical Physics

A brief and birds eye introduction to non-equilibrium statistical physics. This tutorial is organized around the 1st and 2nd laws of thermodynamics. It begins with brief review how the 1st and 2nd laws apply to macroscopic systems in the context of old fashion 19th century thermodynamics with respect to the properties of bulk systems. It then continues on to 20th century statistical physics sought to make sense of the laws of thermodynamics by acknowledging that these bulk systems are made of up many-many atoms and molecules and how these laws arise from very many microscopic degrees of freedom. Finally a discussion on how the laws of thermodynamics apply to individual small systems. The tutorial ends with a breif discussion of Maxewell's Demon and the thermodynamic consequences of information processing.