  Total and parity-projected level densities of iron-region nuclei are
calculated microscopically by using Monte Carlo methods for the nuclear shell
model in the complete $(pf+0g_{9/2})$-shell. The calculated total level density
is found to be in good agreement with the experimental level density. The Monte
Carlo calculations offer a significant improvement over the thermal
Hartree-Fock approximation. Contrary to the Fermi gas model, it is found that
the level density has a significant parity-dependence in the neutron resonance
region. The systematics of the level density parameters (including shell
effects) in the iron region is presented.

Nuclear Theory