Credit Hours - 2

This course takes mathematics and related courses in Levels 100 and 200 and applies them to studying the Earth, extending mathematical skills and exploring the insights that can be developed through quantitative modelling of geological processes. Topics covered include:

Vectors and their use in describing positions and directions on the Earth's surface; Spherical geometry and plate tectonics; Potential fields and the gradient and divergence operators applied to gravity and heat flow; Ordinary differential equations applied to heat flow in the Earth; the diffusion equation applied to time-independent heat flow into the Earth.  

Credit Hours - 6

This course provides students the opportunity to pursue a limited research activity in various subfields of geophysics using modern geophysical research tools. Students undertake a research project under the supervision of a Senior Member over two semesters. A final report is required. Students are expected to report on their findings at a seminar. 

Credit Hours - 3

This course introduces students to key concepts and applications of geophysical instrumentation. Students learn about how geophysical instruments work, what they measure, and their internal components. They learn how to conduct geophysical surveys and about electronic instrumentation and electronic circuits. 

Course content covers basic electronics for geophysical instrumentation; physical principles of geophysical instruments and relation to rock physical properties; and basic concepts for conducting geophysical surveys in the field, including analysis of geophysical data and geophysical software applications.

Credit Hours - 1

This is the first course in practical physics based on the principles of mechanics and thermal physics. Students will be introduced to practical concepts that relate to linear momentum, motion, force, circular and rotational motion, and gravitation under mechanics. In thermal physics, students will conduct experiments on heat, the laws of thermodynamics, and other related topics. 

Credit Hours - 1

This is the second course in practical physics and follows PHYS105 which is based on the principles of electricity and magnetism. Students will be introduced to practical concepts that relate to electrostatics, current electricity, optics, and magnetism. Students will also be introduced to the Microsoft Excel application and how to employ it in data analysis.

Credit Hours - 3

Mechanics

Properties of Vectors: Geometrical representation, multiplication (dot product and cross product), the three-dimensional Cartesian co-ordinate system, Components of a vector, Direction Cosines, Linear Independence, Magnitude of a vector, Geometrical methods of vector addition, The sine rule and the cosine rule, Vectors in two dimensions. Linear Momentum: Conservation Law, Direct and indirect collisions, The co-efficient of restitution Motion: Newton's laws, equations of motion, Motion in one dimension, Parametric equations of motion, Motion in two dimensions, Projectile motion, Relative velocity.

Force: Addition of Forces, Equilibrium, Impulse, Tension and the motion of connected masses, Friction Circular motion: Uniform circular motion, Motion in a vertical circle, the conical pendulum. Work and Energy: Work done by a constant force, Work done by a varying force, Work and kinetic energy, Work and potential energy, Conservation of energy, Conservative and non-conservative forces – definition and examples: Rotational motion: Centre of mass, Moment of inertia, Angular momentum, Rotational kinetic energy, Torque Gravitation: Kepler's laws, The law of Universal gravitation, Gravitational potential energy, Escape velocity.

Thermal Physics

Microscopic and Macroscopic Definitions: Thermodynamic systems, Simple systems, Closed systems, Open systems, Isolated systems, Thermodynamic properties, States Processes, Paths, Intensive and extensive quantities. Thermal Equilibrium: Temperature, Adiabatic walls, Diathermal walls, Thermometers and thermometric properties, Comparisons of thermometers, Thermometric scales and conversions, Zeroth law of thermodynamics.

Work and Heat: Thermodynamic equilibrium – conditions, Chemical equilibrium, mechanical equilibrium, thermal equilibrium, Effects of conditions not satisfied, Change of state, Quasi-static processes, Work done, Work depends on path, Isothermal processes, Isobaric processes, Isochoric (isovolumetric) processes, Adiabatic processes, Concept of heat, Internal energy, Heat capacity, Specific heat, Heat flow (Conduction, Radiation, and Convection)

First law of thermodynamics: Cyclic processes, Non-cyclic processes, Nature of stored energy, First law and its implications under (i) Isothermal processes (ii) Isobaric processes (iii) Isochoric processes

Application: Introduction to entropy

Gas Laws: Properties of an ideal gas, Charles Law, Boyle's Law, Gay Lussac Law, Kelvin temperature scale (absolute temperature)

Kinetic theory of Gases: Assumptions, Force exerted on the walls of the container, Pressure, Equation of state, Molecular velocities: (i) Mean velocity (ii) mean square velocity (iii) root mean square velocity, Equipartition of Energy.

Credit Hours - 3

Electricity

Electric Charge and Electric Field: Electric charge, Conductors, insulators and induced charges, Coulomb's law, Electric field and Electric forces, Charge distributions, Electric dipoles

Gauss’ Law: Charge and electric flux, Gauss’ Law, Application of Gauss’ Law

Electrical Potential: Electric potential energy and work, electric potential

Capacitance and Dielectrics: Capacitors (parallel plate capacitors, spherical, and cylindrical shaped capacitors) and dielectrics, Capacitors in series and parallel, Charging and discharging a capacitor, time constant, Energy storage in capacitors

Electric Current, Resistance and Direct-current circuits: Electric current, Resistivity and Resistance, Electromotive force and electric circuits, Energy and power in Electric circuits, Resistors in series and Parallel, Kirchoff’s Rules, Electrical measuring instruments

Magnetism

Magnetic Field and Magnetic Forces: Magnetic field, Magnetic field lines and Magnetic flux, Motion of charged particles in a magnetic field, Electric and magnetic fields acting together – application to velocity selectors, Magnetic force on a current-carrying conductor, Force and Torque on a current loop (a magnetic dipole moment)

Sources of Magnetic fields: Magnetic field of a moving charge, Magnetic field of a current element, Magnetic field of a straight current-carrying conductor, Force between parallel conductors, Magnetic field of a circular current loop, Ampere's law and its applications, Magnetic materials

Electromagnetic Induction: Faraday and Lenz's laws, Motional electromotive force, Induced electric fields, Eddy currents, Displacement current and Maxwell’s equations

Inductance: Mutual inductance, Self-induced inductance, Inductors and magnetic-field energy, R-L and L-C circuits, L-R-C series circuits

Alternating current: Phasors and alternating current, Resistance and reactance, L-R-C series circuit, Band-Pass filters, Power in alternating-current circuits, Power factor, Resonance in alternating-current circuits, Transformer

Credit Hours - 1

This is the third course in practical physics and follows from PHYS105 and PHYS106, which exposed students to handling various measuring instruments. PHYS205 introduces students to data and error analyses in addition to the usual laboratory experiments. Students will conduct experiments illustrating modern experimental techniques and error analysis in several topical areas in physics.

Credit Hours - 1

This course continues from PHYS205. Experiments will be carried out to illustrate modern experimental techniques and error analysis in several topical areas in physics, including but not limited to filters; electromagnetic induction; properties of matter; thermodynamics; microwave radiation; and electronics. Students will also be exposed to the application of computers in data acquisition and data analysis as well as scientific report preparation.

Credit Hours - 2

This course introduces the basic ideas of quantum physics and applies them to the description of atoms. The course begins with a review of the phenomena that led to the development of modern physics and uses the Schrödinger equation to describe simple systems. The Schrödinger theory is applied to one-electron atoms and the modifications that arise with multi-electron atoms, and atoms in external fields are discussed. Students must have completed the introductory physics sequence (PHYS143 and PHYS144) and at least one mathematics course.

Topics covered include:

Quantum Phenomena: Blackbody radiation and Planck’s hypothesis, photons and electromagnetic waves, photo-electric effect, Compton Effect, double-slit experiment, wave properties of particles, uncertainty principle, Schrödinger equation, particle in a square well potential (particle in a box).

Atomic Physics: Atomic structure, the Bohr atom, line spectra and energy levels; angular momentum (orbital angular momentum, spin angular momentum, multiplets); Spectroscopic terms; Fine structure, hyperfine structure, Stark and Zeeman effects, and x-ray production and scattering.

Credit Hours - 2

This course focuses on the phenomena of oscillations, vibrations, and waves. Topics covered include:

Simple, damped, and forced oscillations; Decay of oscillations, resonance; General properties of waves; Waves in one dimension; Superposition of waves; Dispersion and group velocity; Doppler Effect; Waves in physical media; Waves in two and three dimensions, circular and spherical wave fronts.

Credit Hours - 3

This course introduces students to the elementary mathematics used in undergraduate physics courses. Topics covered include:

Calculus of functions of several variables, partial differentiation, total differential, Euler's theorem on homogeneous functions; Constrained and unconstrained extrema, multiple integrals; Jacobian; Scalar and vector fields; Line, surface, and volume integrals; Vector operators, grad, div, and curl; Gauss, Stokes and Green's theorems; Ordinary differential equations with variable coefficients, series solutions.

Credit Hours - 3

This is the first of a two-sequence course on the fundamentals of electromagnetism. Topics covered include:

Electric field and potential gradient; Gauss's law and its applications; Electric field around conductors; Dielectric medium: Polar and non-polar molecules, electric polarization and bound charges; Displacement vector; Gauss's Law in dielectrics; Potential energy of charge distribution in the presence of dielectrics; Boundary conditions on E and D; Magnetic fields, magnetic force law and concept of magnetic induction B: Biot-Savart law, Lorentz force; Electromagnetic induction.

Credit Hours - 2

This course is designed to introduce students to the aspect of physics that deals with the atomic nucleus. Topics covered include:

A review of experiments that led to the discovery of the nucleus; Nuclear properties; Nuclear force, nuclear binding energy, and Mass defect; Liquid drop model; Semi-empirical binding energy formula; Radioactive decay of unstable nuclei; Analysis of nuclear reactions; Energetics; Radioactive dating; Nuclear energy; Radiation detection and usage.  

Credit Hours - 2

This course is designed to introduce students to the physics of materials. The course discusses the elastic and plastic properties of solids and the dynamics of incompressible fluids. The course exhibits the connection between physical principles and real-life applications through examples, demonstrations, and problems. Topics covered include:

Forces between atoms and molecules and their consequences; Elastic moduli – Young's, Shear, Bulk; Poisson ratio; Elastic potential energy of a deformed elastic; Plastic behaviour of solids; Flow properties of fluids; Continuity equation, hydrostatic equation, and Bernoulli's equations; Torricelli's law; Viscosity of fluids; Poiseulli's law; Laminar flow between plates; Stoke's law; Reynold's number.

Credit Hours - 2

This course focuses on the basic computational problems in physics. This course aims to teach students to develop skills in numerical solutions to physics problems and solve problems using computer programs. Topics covered include:

Introduction to basic computational tools and routines, projectile motion, limits of computation; Introduction to numerical methods—Functions and roots, Approximation, Interpolation, Systems of linear equations, Least squares, Numerical differentiation and integration, Finite differences; Oscillatory motion and chaos; Solar system; Potentials and fields of charges and currents; Waves.

Credit Hours - 1

This is the first of a two-part course in which laboratory experiments, including those fundamental to modern physics as well as those demonstrating modern experimental methodologies, are undertaken. Students are introduced to scientific report writing and making references. Experiments include x-ray diffraction and crystal structure, x-ray absorption, x-ray fluorescence, Fermi energy, Wiedemann-Frantz law, image charges in electrostatics, Rutherford scattering, fine structure, electronics, Boltzmann constant, diffraction, wave propagation, and β spectroscopy.

Credit Hours - 1

This is the second of a two-part course in which laboratory experiments, including those fundamental to modern physics and those illustrating modern experimental techniques, are conducted. Students are introduced to Scientific Report writing and making references. Experiments conducted include x-ray diffraction and crystal structure, x-ray absorption, x-ray fluorescence, Fermi energy, Wiedemann-Franz law, Image charges in electrostatics, Rutherford scattering, Fine structure, Electronics, Boltzmann constant, Diffraction, Wave propagation, and β spectroscopy.

Credit Hours - 3

This course introduces learners to the fundamentals of classical mechanics. Topics covered include:

Divergence and curl of a vector; Force Fields, Conservative and non-conservative forces; Gravitation; Equipotential surfaces; Gradient of a potential; Gauss's law and applications; Central forces and applications to two-particle systems; Orbits; Escape velocity; Drag; Motion with variable mass; Statics of rigid bodies; Moment of inertia; Angular momentum; Motion of a top; Centrifuges; Gyroscopic motion; Lagrange’s and Hamilton’s equations.

Credit Hours - 2

This course introduces learners to the fundamentals of thermodynamics. Topics covered include:

Concept of Systems; Classification of thermodynamic systems; Laws of thermodynamics and applications; Heat transfer mechanisms; Thermodynamical machines - heat engines, refrigerators, and heat pumps; Efficiency and coefficient of performance of thermodynamic machines; Entropy, thermal pollution, and global warming; Unavailability of energy; Heat death; Control Volume Analysis; death; Thermodynamic potentials – Gibbs functions, Helmholtz functions, and Free energy functions; Generalised thermodynamic relations - multivariate calculus foundations, Gibbsian equations and Maxwell's relations.

Credit Hours - 3

This course introduces learners to the elementary mathematics used in undergraduate physics courses. Topics covered include:

Vector and Tensor Analysis; Determinants, Matrices and Group Theory; Infinite Series; First Order Differential Equation; Functions of Complex Variables; Second Order Differential Equations; Special Functions - Bessel Functions, Gamma Functions, Beta Functions, Legendre Functions; Fourier Series; Partial Differential Equations; Integral Functions - Fourier Transform, Laplace Transform

Credit Hours - 3

This course is the second in a sequence of two courses on the fundamentals of electromagnetism. This course extends the topics treated in PHYS245 to include additional techniques for calculating electromagnetic fields and a discussion of electromagnetic waves. Topics covered include:

Electromagnetic potentials: scalar and vector potentials; Poisson and Laplace equations; General methods of solving electrostatic problems; Electrostatic boundary value problems; Method of images; Magnetic materials, magnetization, magnetic field intensity H, magnetic susceptibility, relative permeability, hysteresis; Multipole fields; Maxwell's equations; derivation of the electromagnetic wave equation, its solutions, and some applications; Electromagnetic waves in dielectric and conducting media; Skin effect.

Credit Hours - 3

This course covers elementary analogue and digital electronics. Topics covered include:

Voltage, current and resistance; Voltage dividers; Circuit analysis: Thévenin’s and Norton’s equivalent circuits; Diodes and diode circuits; design of regulated power supply, basic transistor circuits (Bipolar-Junction Transistors and Field-Effect Transistors); Operational amplifiers (linear applications only); Introduction to digital electronics (Number systems, Boolean algebra, logic gates, combinational logic circuits, Karnaugh maps).

Credit Hours - 3

This course covers both classical and modern optics. Topics covered include:

Nature and propagation of light: refractive index and optical path, Huygen's principle, Fermat's principle. Advanced geometrical optics. Physical Optics: interference, Young's double slit experiment, other optical devices for the division of wave fronts, multiple-beam interference, and Michelson's interferometer. Diffraction: Fraunhofer diffraction, Fresnel diffraction. Polarisation. Holography. Fibre optics.

Credit Hours - 3

This course is the first in a two-course sequence on elementary quantum mechanics. Topics covered include:

Principles of quantum mechanics; Time-independent Schröndinger equation; Interpretation of wave properties as probability amplitudes; Superposed energy states; Uncertainty principle; Lifetimes; Moving wave packets; One-dimensional scattering; Potential wells and barriers, tunnelling; probability currents; Harmonic oscillator; Formalism of quantum mechanics. 

Credit Hours - 2

This course aims to introduce students to the Special Theory of Relativity. Topics covered include:

Newtonian Mechanics and Relativity: failure of classical relativity, inertial frames, Galilean transformation, Michelson-Morley experiment. Einstein's basic ideas: invariance of physical laws; Einstein's postulates, relativity and simultaneity. Consequences of Einstein's postulates. Doppler Effect of electromagnetic waves: classical Doppler shift, relativistic Doppler shift. Relativistic Dynamics: mass, momentum, work, energy. Experimental Tests of Special Relativity.

Credit Hours - 3

This course extends the techniques developed in PHYS256 to more complex systems. Topics covered include:

Random systems; Monte Carlo methods; Random walks, diffusion, and the Ising model; Phase transitions; Molecular dynamics; Variational and Spectral methods; Hartree-Fock method: helium atom, hydrogen ion; Periodic potentials and band structures; Self-organized criticality; Fractals; Protein folding; Neural networks.

Credit Hours - 2

This course is the first of a two-part course that introduces the concepts and theory of the physics of materials in the solid states. Topics covered include:

Lattice translation vectors, symmetry operations; types of lattices; simple crystal structures; effect of deformation on crystals and their properties; crystal diffraction and the reciprocal lattice; Bragg's Law; experimental diffraction methods; reciprocal lattice vectors; Brillouin zones; structure and atomic form factors; Lattice vibrations; Lattice heat capacity; thermal conductivity.

Credit Hours - 2

This course is an introduction to the physics of the processes that occur in the atmosphere. Topics covered include:

Origin and composition of the atmosphere; Distribution of constituents; Charged particles; Temperature distribution. Thermodynamics of water vapour and moist air: Thermodynamics of dry and moist air, stability; changes of phase and latent heat; Adiabatic processes, moisture variables; Thermodynamic diagrams; Radiation: Fundamental physics of atmospheric electricity, radiation laws; Solar and terrestrial radiation, applications, ozone hole, atmospheric energy transport; Global energy balance.

Credit Hours - 2

This course shows how stable materials (matter/samples) can be radioactive by irradiating with neutrons, and analysed through the emanating gamma radiation from the resulting radionuclide. Topics covered include:

Irradiation facilities: Neutron Sources; Nuclear Reactors Source; Isotopic Neutron Sources; Neutron Generator (Accelerator) Sources; Kinetics of activation: Irradiation Scheme (Conditions); Gamma Ray Spectrometry (Measurement of Gamma Rays). Absolute Method; Relative (Comparative) Method; K0 Method; Measurement and evaluation: Qualitative Analysis; Quantitative Analysis; Applications of neutron activation analysis: Environmental Studies - Pollution Studies; Forensic Investigations; Archaeological Studies, Biochemistry; Semiconductor Materials Studies; Geological Science; Soil Science; Epidemiology Studies.

Credit Hours - 2

This course introduces learners to the physical processes that occur in the oceans. Topics covered include:

Physical properties of the ocean and seawater, sound and light; T-S forcing and conservation laws, Global T-S distribution; Equations of continuity and motion; Balance of forces; the effect of Earth's rotation; Ocean currents; Deep currents and general ocean circulation; Surface waves; Tides and long-period waves; Oceanographic instrumentation; El Nino.

Credit Hours - 1

This is the first of a two-part seminar course sequence designed to allow students to hone their scientific communication skills. Students attend weekly seminars and present proposals for their final year research project. Topics vary from semester to semester according to the interests of the students. This course provides an introduction to the preparation, organisation, and delivery of a scientific presentation. It provides a guide on research proposals and thesis writing.

Credit Hours - 1

This is the second of a two-part seminar course sequence designed to allow students to hone their scientific communication skills. Students attend weekly seminars and present proposals for their final year research project. Topics vary from semester to semester according to the interests of the students. This course provides an introduction to the preparation, organisation, and delivery of a scientific presentation. It provides a guide on research proposals and thesis writing.

Credit Hours - 6

In this two-semester course, students pursue a project on topics drawn from experimental and/or theoretical physics under the supervision of a Senior Member. Students meet weekly with their supervisors to discuss their projects and research experiences and findings. A final report is required. Students are expected to report on their findings at a departmental seminar.

Credit Hours - 3

This course introduces the fundamentals of Statistical Mechanics. Topics covered include:

Probability distribution functions; Velocity distributions; Distributions in phase space; Transport phenomena; Fluctuation; Statistical Mechanics; Ensembles and distribution functions; Entropy and ensembles; the micro-canonical ensemble; the canonical ensemble; Bose-Einstein statistics (black body radiation); Fermi-Dirac statistics (free-electron gas).

Credit Hours - 2

This course introduces learners to models of the atomic nuclei as well as nuclear phenomena and their applications. Topics covered include:

Nuclear properties: constituents, nuclear sizes, masses, densities, and abundances; Mass leading to the definition of binding energy; Empirical mass formula; Nuclear Models: liquid drop and shell models, unified (collective) model and how they explain properties of nucleus; Nuclear reactions; representation, conservation laws, radioactivity, decay of parent and daughter nuclei, equilibrium; Nuclear fission and fusion: types of fission, the release of energy, fusion in stars and the sun; Nuclear reactors: constituents of a reactor, types of reactors, generation of electricity, usefulness and dangers.

Credit Hours - 2

This course is designed to introduce students to the basics of digital electronic devices and techniques used in digital circuit design. It also provides an in-depth study of the principles and applications of digital systems. Topics covered include:

Boolean algebra, basic logic circuits, logic families, combinational logic, arithmetic circuits, multivibrators, flip-flops and timing circuits, counters, registers, semiconductor memories, introduction to microprocessors and microcomputers.

Credit Hours - 2

This course exposes learners to the study of the basic nature of matter, and their interacting forces at the level of fundamental particles and very high energies. It also shows the link between theoretical physics predictions on fundamental particles and verification through experimentation. It covers the standard model, Feynman diagrams and conservation laws, electro-weak theory, grand unification theory, acceleration and collision of elementary particles (the large hadron collider), particle detectors, and applications of particle physics research results.

Credit Hours - 3

This course introduces the concepts and theory of the physics of materials in the solid state. Topics covered include:

Lattice translation vectors, symmetry operations; types of lattices; simple crystal structures; crystal diffraction and the reciprocal lattice; Bragg's Law; reciprocal lattice vectors; Brillouin zones; Lattice vibrations; Lattice heat capacity; thermal conductivity. Free electron Fermi gas; Fermi distribution, the heat capacity of an electron gas; electrical conductivity; Wiedemann – Franz law; metals; insulators.

Credit Hours - 3

The course introduces the basic theory of quantum mechanics, and how it explains some of the behaviour of the physical universe from a fundamental point of view. Topics covered include:

Schrödinger equation in three dimensions; The stationary states of the hydrogen atom; General properties of angular momentum in quantum mechanics; Electron spin; System of identical particles; Time-independent perturbation theory; Variational principles; The WKB approximation; Scattering.

Credit Hours - 2

This course is at an introductory level, dealing with selected topics taken from current trends in Physics. It is aimed at motivating students in the subject and ensuring a general literacy in the frontiers of Physics. Areas covered include recent advances in fields such as Unification, General Relativity and Black Holes.

Credit Hours - 2

This course introduces contemporary topics in energy systems. Topics covered include:

Review of energy sources: conventional and non-conventional, renewable and non-renewable. Nuclear energy – fission, fusion, breeder reactors; Solar energy – physical problems connected with conversion; Technological problems and applications. Fossil fuels, hydro-power, wind power, tidal power; biochemical energy, conservation and storage.

Credit Hours - 2

This course is the second of a two-part course that introduces the concepts and theory of the physics of materials in the solid state. Topics covered include:

Free electron Fermi gas; Fermi distribution, heat capacity of an electron gas; Electrical conductivity; Motion in magnetic fields; Wiedemann – Franz law; Energy Bands; Bloch functions; Weakly perturbing lattice potential; Holes; Effective mass; Metals, insulators, semiconductors, semiconductor crystals; Intrinsic carrier concentration; Thermo-electric effects in semiconductors; Semi-metals; p-n junctions; Solar cells and photovoltaic detectors.

Credit Hours - 2

Topics covered in this course include:

Radioactive decay, Types of radioactive clocks: decay clock accumulation clock. Fundamental requirements of radiometric dating, Useful radioactive decay schemes. Analytical techniques – fundamental mass spectrometry, Isotope dilution, analytical errors. Typical radiometric dating methods – K-Ar, Ar40/Ar39, Rb-Sr, U-Pb, Sm-Nd. Fission Track method of dating

Credit Hours - 2

This course introduces learners to the physical description of weather and climate. Topics covered include:

Structure of the atmosphere; Weather processes and weather systems, including climatic processes. Data analysis, instruments, and weather system models. Global distribution of principal climatic elements with emphasis on physical causes. Physics of moist air; Physics of aerosols; Condensation of water vapour on aerosols; Cloud physics. 1-D and 3-D climate models, applications, and global warming.

Credit Hours - 2

This course introduces learners to the physical principles that govern telecommunication devices and networks. Topics covered include:

Network theorems, Circuit theory, Transmission lines, Attenuators and filters, Low and high-frequency amplifiers, Oscillator circuits; Modulation, demodulation, and detection circuits, Noise, Transmission of information, Microphones and sound reproducers, Telephony, High-frequency transmission lines and waveguides, Ultra-high frequency devices, Wave propagation and aerials, Radio transmission systems, Microwaves and laser, Fibre optics

Credit Hours - 2

This course introduces the concept of nanophysics by focusing on phenomena that change as dimension of length scales from the macroscopic to the nanoscale. The course covers the synthesis and characterisation of carbon-based nanomaterials, semiconductor nanocrystals, and metallic nanocrystals. Unique phenomena arising from quantum confinement are discussed. The course also presents basic computer modeling methods for the study of nanostructured materials. Current and potential applications of nanotechnology are also discussed. Topics covered include:

Carbon Nanotubes: Carbon allotropes; Synthesis and production techniques of carbon nanotubes. Physical properties of carbon nanotubes; Functionalisation, dispersion, separation, and characterisation of carbon nanotubes; Applications: Polymer- and metal- composites, x-ray tubes, Field emission displays (FED), transistors, sensors, etc.; Safety and risk Nanocrystals: Classification; types of nanocrystals; Wide-band gap semiconductor nanocrystals. Modification of physical properties from bulk crystal to nanocrystal; Methods of preparation; Hybrid materials; Applications – sensors, photovoltaics, luminescent devices, electronics, lasers. Theory: Quasiparticles: electrons, holes, excitons; Basic theoretical methods: effective mass approximation, adiabatic approximation, tight-binding approach; Electron states in confined dimensions; Weak confinement, strong confinement.

Credit Hours - 2

This course is designed to provide an introduction to modern concepts in astrophysics. It includes a preliminary section on astronomy with a focus on observational techniques. The historical development of astronomy and astrophysics will be presented, with a discussion of landmark discoveries. The main content of the course involves a study of stars and their evolution and will cover basic stellar models and the Lane-Emden model. End-of-life scenarios will be discussed, will focus on white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes. Other topics to be covered are galaxies and basic cosmology. 

Credit Hours - 3

In year 1, each student in a Department or Programme is expected to attend all seminars specified and make his/her own presentation on selected topicsto an audience. Each student will be expected to make at least one oral presentation to be assessed each semester and also present a full write-up of the presentation for another assessment. These will earn a total of 3 credits.

Credit Hours - 4

Survey of elementary principles including principles of particle and rigid body dynamics, constraints.  Lagrange’s equation.  Hamiltonian mechanics.  Transformation theories of mechanics including Hamilton-Jacobi and Poisson bracket formulation. Lagrangian formulation of continuous media.

Credit Hours - 4

The interpretation of classical equilibrium thermodynamics using statistical mechanics; Equilibrium in statistical mechanics. General formulation of statistical thermodynamics. Boltzmann distribution, the perfect classicalgas. The partitionfunction, the perfectquantal gas; negative temperatures. Heat capacity of an insulating solid, phonons. Black body radiation. The canonical distribution. Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein distribution functions and their applications. The ideal Fermion gas, free electron theory of metals; white dwarf and neutron stars. The ideal boson gas, Bose-Einstein condensation

Credit Hours - 4

The Dirac description of quantum mechanical state. Approximation methodsfor stationary states Equations of motion and classical correspondence. Time-dependent perturbation theory and application to atomic radiation. Scattering theory.

Credit Hours - 4

Review of Basic Electromagnetism and Maxwell’s equations. Plane EM waves and propagation in a medium. Dispersion relations between Absorption and Diffraction. Kramers-Kronig Relations. Radiating systems and Scattering.

Special relativity: Covariance of Maxwell’s equationsunder the Transformations of Special Relativity, relativistic transformations of potentials, applications of the transformations, the Lienard-Wiechert potentials. Covariant (Lagrangian and Hamiltonian) description of charged particles and EM fields.

Electromagnetic EnergyRadiation by accelerated charges; Cerenkov Radiation.

Credit Hours - 3

For year 2, each studentwill make a presentation soon after the Year I examinations on his/ her Thesis Research Proposal and also present a progress report midway into the second semester. These will be assessed for 3 credits.

Credit Hours - 4

Periodic structures; latticewaves; electron states and energy band calculations; interatomic forces and static properties of solids; electron-electron and electron-phonon interactions; dynamics of electrons.Transport properties; optical properties; the fermi surface. Cooperative phenomena: magnetism; superconductivity.

Credit Hours - 4

Introduction to Nuclear Physics. Static Nuclear Properties; mass, moments, charge distribution. Electron Scattering. m-Mesic x-rays. Nuclear forces, the deuteron, nucleon- nucleon scattering. Nuclear models. Nuclear reactions

Credit Hours - 4

Analysis and design principles of electronic system for measurement.

Review of basic devices.Transducers. Laboratory techniques and instrument characteristics. Instrument resolution. Scintillators and semiconductor detectors

High speed counting and recording. Electrical measurement of non-electrical quantities.

Credit Hours - 4

Surface structure and chemical composition; electronic contact potential and work function; surface states; band bending, plamons etc. Surface lattice dynamics, surface diffusion and surface melting. Adsorption of atoms and molecules; chemisorption and epitaxial processes; adhesion, friction, lubrication and wear of surfaces. Bulk methods used in studying surface properties.

Credit Hours - 4

Characteristics of elemental and compound semiconductor materials. Amorphous and magnetic semiconductors. Fabrication of semiconductor materials and devices. p-n junction, diode. Transistor. Statistics of recombination and trapping. Applications of tunneling heterojunctions and Schottky barriers. Impurity and impurity band conduction. Hot electron effects.Avalanche and avalanche transit time oscillators. Optical properties. Lasers and photodetection.

Credit Hours - 4

Interaction of radiation with matter; Interaction of charged particles with matter Cross-section. Radiation and charged particle detectors, basic linear electronic systems. Quantitative XRFA. Practical analysis.

Credit Hours - 4

Physics of the atmosphere; Heat transfer; Condensation & precipitation. Winds; Synoptic meteorology; Boundary layer meteorology (micrometeorology. Instruments and Observation analysis; Remote sensing methods; Weather forecasting.

Credit Hours - 4

Review of Energy resources – conventional and non-conventional, renewable and non- renewable. Basis for solar energy consideration. Elements of astronomy, solar spectrum. Instruments and measurements of terrestrial insolation. Thermal conversion – low, medium, and high temperatures. Photovoltaic conversion: Physics of solar cells; Photovoltaic Engineering. PV modules.Systems application. Economicsof solar energy.Environmental Impact.

Credit Hours - 4

Vacancies, interstitials, impurityatoms. Energies of formation, equilibrium concentrations. Interactions between point defects, energies of migration, theory of diffusion. Quenching, irradiation damage, cold work, non stochiometry.

Shear processes; slip in crystals, Burger’s vector, screwand edge dislocations. Simple theory of dislocations; grain boundaries; plastic deformation.

Credit Hours - 4

Basic principles of the reactor. Diffusion and slowing-down theory. Excitation cross- section. Diffusion equation for thermal neutrons. Slowing-down of neutron as a single process, slowing-down of fission neutrons, diffusion of neutrons in the slowing-down region. Transport mean free path; the four factor formula for homogeneous reactor. Diffusion equation; critical size of homogeneous reactor. Inhomogeneity of reactor core. Heterogeneous reactor.

Two-group reactor theory; Types of reactors.

Credit Hours - 4

The Biophysicist’s view of the cell: energetics and statistical relationships in the cell, intra and inter-molecular forces, physics of cellular processes. Absorption spectroscopy and molecular structure, action spectra and quantum yields. Interaction of electromagnetic and particulate radiation with biological systems: radiation counting and dosimetry, radiation damage and repair, survival curves and models, effect of radiation on cells, molecules, tissues and organs.

Credit Hours - 4

Radioactive decay; types of radioactive clocks. Fundamental requirements of radioactive dating. Useful radioactive schemes.Analytical techniques and errors. Typicalisotope dating methods. Interpretation of radiometric dates.     

Credit Hours - 4

Development and general theory. Types of mass spectrometers; Applications of mass spectrometers. Advances in mass spectrometry.

Credit Hours - 45

Details of Experiential Learning

The second year activities aim at guiding students to acquire specific laboratory, analytical, theoretical, and computational expertise of relevance to contemporary research in physics. Students will participate in  on-going research programmes in the Department. Projects include the following.

A: Imaging through scattering media (PI: Amos Kuditcher)

This is an ongoing project in the Department that is developing techniques for extending imaging depth in scattering media while maintaining high transverse resolution. The ultimate goal of the project is to achieve high resolution imaging of biological structures. The project uses interferometric and ultrafast techniques for acquiring data. Students attached to this project will learn optical alignment techniques as well as data acquisition with point and array detectors. They will perform analysis image data collected using interferometers. This project is also pursuing applications of short-wave infrared and terahertz radiation to imaging. Students will participate in setting up the imaging system.

B: Fabrication and characterization of nano-particles

This is an on-going multi-faceted project, involving several senior members of the Department, which is aimed at developing functional materials for applications in photovoltaics, optoelectronics, and sensing. This project has fabricated several nano- particle and thin film compound semiconductor materials, including zinc oxide, copper oxide, cuprous sulphide, and iron disulphide. Students attached to this project will learn the techniques that have been developed in the project for nano-particle and thin film fabrication, including chemical bath, physical vapour, and chemical vapour deposition. They will also learn to use x-ray diffraction techniques (small and wide angle diffraction), electron microscopy, and optical and infrared spectroscopy to acquire data on existing samples as well as new samples generated by the project. They will use the data to determine physical properties such as the band gap of the materials.

C: Electronic structure calculations of materials (PI: George Nkrumah-Buandoh) This is an ongoing project that applies theoretical and computational methods for predicting properties of materials. The project uses state-of-the art codes such as Quantum Espresso to generate electronic structure data which are then analysed to determine electronic, optical, and mechanical properties of materials. Students attached to this project will be involved in hands-on computational training in density functional theory, pseudopotentials, plane waves and iterative diagonalization methods. They will use Quantum Espresso to generate electronic structure data, particularly for the materials that are of interest to the experimental research activities in the Department, such as zinc oxide and copper oxide. They will use the data to determine band gap and absorption spectra of such materials and compare their results to experimental results that have been obtained in the Department.

D: Anaerobic digester(PI: Michael Addae-Kagyah)

This is an on-going project to develop biogas digesters. The project is currently in the design phase. By the time students join the project, design would have been completed. Therefore, students will participate in construction and characterization of the anaerobic biogas digesters. They will learn about active feedback-control systems and construct prototype control systems. They will also participate in gas production measurements. They will use data from the measurements to optimize the designs.

Credit Hours - 3

The seminar series aim at exposing students to contemporary research in physics while giving them an avenue to present their research. Seminars are given by faculty and invited experts at which contemporary research in physics are discussed. In this course, students give at least one seminar each semester and present their thesis research proposal.

Credit Hours - 3

This course examines the quantum theory of radiation, the Dirac theory of spin-½ particles, and quantum electrodynamics and treats second quantization of several fields, including the electromagnetic field. Topics include the Dirac equation, canonical quantization, interacting field theories, Feynman diagrams, applications to atomic transitions, quantum electrodynamics, and introduction to radiative corrections. 

Credit Hours - 3

Research programs in the Department are described by faculty members and advanced graduate students. The experimental basis of physics is illustrated through accounts of great experiments of importance to contemporary research. This serves as an introduction to an experimental sequence in which participants solve experiment design, data acquisition and data analysis problems using modern equipment and software.

Credit Hours - 3

The atomic physics course examines the physical foundations of modern experiments in atomic, molecular and optical physics. Topics include the theory of atomic structure, emission and absorption of radiation, fine and hyperfine structure, angular momentum coupling schemes, molecular structure and intermolecular forces, atomic and molecular collisions and modern applications.

Credit Hours - 3

The advanced electrodynamics course examines the behaviour of relativistic charged particles in electromagnetic fields and the emission and scattering of electromagnetic radiation. Topics include waveguides and resonant cavities, special theory of relativity, simple radiating systems and antennae, multipole fields, dynamics of relativistic particles and electromagnetic fields, radiation by accelerated charges, and scattering of electromagnetic waves.

Credit Hours - 3

This course aims at a description of the propagation of optical waves in solids and examines the linear and nonlinear electromagnetic wave phenomena that occur in solids. Topics include electromagnetic wave propagation in anisotropic and periodic media, Gaussian beam optics and the ABCD law, electro-optic effects and devices, acousto-optic effects and devices, and introduction to nonlinear optics.

Credit Hours - 3

This course provides a clear, concise, and up-to-date overview of the atomic nucleus and the theories that seek to explain it. Topics include two- and three-nucleon problems, basic nuclear properties, collective and single-particle motion, giant resonances, mean field models, the interacting boson model, nuclei far from stability, nuclear astrophysics, big-bang and stellar nucleosynthesis, electron scattering—nucleon momentum distributions, scaling, polarization observables, parity-violating electron scattering, neutrino physics, current results in relativistic heavy ion physics and hadronic physics, frontiers and future facilities.

Credit Hours - 3

This course covers the key principles and applications of semiconductor physics and their relevance to current developments in physics. Topics include characterization of semiconductors, electronic structure of ideal crystals, electronic structure of semiconductor crystals with perturbations, electron system in thermodynamic equilibrium, non-equilibrium processes in semiconductors, semiconductor junctions in thermodynamic equilibrium, semiconductor junctions undernon-equilibrium conditions.

Credit Hours - 3

This course covers the concepts and physical pictures behind various phenomena that appear in interacting many-body systems. Topics include second quantization, "free" systems—the building block of the quasiparticle concept, phonons and photons, Fermi and Bose fluids, spin systems (𝑥-𝑦) model, interactions, Green functions and Feynman diagrams, finite temperature Green functions, application of finite temperature Feynman diagrams to the electron-phonon problem and to transport theory, functional integral approach, broken symmetry and superconductivity; local moments and heavy electron physics.

Credit Hours - 3

This course gives basic concepts and theory of the traditional condensed matter theory and the modern condensed matter theory. Topics include the nature of condensed matter, order and disorder crystals, scattering and correlations, surfaces and crystal growth, classical and quantum waves, the non-interacting electron model, dynamics of non-interacting electrons, dielectric and optical properties, electron interactions, superfluidity, and superconductivity.

Credit Hours - 3

The seminar series aim at exposing students to contemporary research in physics while giving them an avenue to present their research. Seminars are given by faculty and invited experts at which contemporary research in physics are discussed. In this course, students give at least one seminar each semester and present a report on their year-long experiential learningactivities.

Credit Hours - 3

The aim of this course is to cover the statistical nature of optical fields via concepts such as spatial and temporal coherence. Topics include coherence properties of optical waves, first-order properties of light and higher-order coherence effects, partial coherence, imaging through randomly inhomogeneous media; photoelectric detection of light.

Credit Hours - 3

This course provides a broad overview of the quantum mechanical nature of light and its interaction with matter. Topics include quantum theory of radiation, mechanical effects of light, squeezed states of light, interaction between atoms and quantized fields, system-reservoir interactions, resonance fluorescence, and cavity quantum electrodynamics.

Credit Hours - 3

This course gives students a working knowledge of the fundamental concepts and modern applications of nonlinear optics. Topics include nonlinear optical susceptibility, Kramers- Kronig relations, nonlinear optical interactions, quantum theory of nonlinear optical susceptibility, intensity-dependent refractive index, light scattering, electro-optic and photorefractive effects, multiphoton processes.

Credit Hours - 3

The aim of this course is to cover the basic up-to-date overview of the nonlinear phenomena occurring inside optical fibers. Topics include fibre characteristics and nonlinearities, propagation of optical pulses in optical fibres, dispersion in optical fibres, self-phase modulation and cross-phase modulation in optical fibres, optical solitons, Raman scattering and parametric processes.

Credit Hours - 3

This course serves as an introduction to plasma phenomena and discusses the main elements of their application in current energy research. Topics include plasma phenomena and plasma characterization, Coulomb collisions, relaxation times, transport processes, two-fluid hydrodynamic and MHD descriptions, plasma confinement by magnetic fields, simple equilibrium and stability analysis, wave propagation in a magnetic field, RF plasma heating, kinetic theory, the Vlasov, Boltzmann and Fokker- Planck equations, relationship between fluid and kinetic descriptions, electron and ion acoustic plasma waves, and Landau damping.

Credit Hours - 3

This course is concerned with the physics of the laser, particularly the generation, propagation, and applications of laser beams. Topics include optical beams and resonators: Gaussian beams, ABCD matrices, beam perturbation and diffraction, resonators and resonator stability; laser dynamics: rate equations, threshold conditions, laser spiking and mode-locking, injection locking, hole burning, saturation spectroscopy; Laser spectroscopy: dressed states, double resonance techniques, multi-photon processes.

Credit Hours - 3

The aim of this course is to introduce the student to elements of current energy research. It discusses the theoretical underpinnings of several energy systems. Topics include characteristics of solid, liquid and gaseous fuels; combustion reaction kinetics; combustion technology; flames; heat generation systems: gas-fired furnaces, premixed- charged engines, oil-fired furnaces, gas-turbines, fixed-bed combustors, pulverised fuel combustors, fluidised bed combustors; heat exchangers; thermodynamics and energy efficiency analysis; power cycles; conventional and clean coal technologies; biomass energy; solar thermal power; wind power; geothermal power; nuclear power; environmental impact; carbon capture and sequestration.

Credit Hours - 3

This course provides a review of atmospheric physics and its application to climatology. Topics include fundamentals of atmospheric science, atmospheric physics, radiative transfer processes in the atmosphere, radiative transfer processes in the ocean, modelling of climatic change; physical climatology.

Credit Hours - 3

The seminar series aim at exposing students to contemporary research in physics while giving them an avenue to present their research. Seminars are given by faculty and invited experts at which contemporary research in physics are discussed. In this course, students give at least one seminar each semester and present progress reports on their research.

Credit Hours - 3

This Course provides a theoretical framework for constructing quantum mechanical models of systems classically represented by an infinite number of degrees of freedom, that is, fields and (in a condensed matter context) many-body systems. Topics include functional integral quantization of field theories, quantization of gauge theories, renormalization, spontaneous symmetry breaking and the Higgs mechanism.

Credit Hours - 3

Physical: Global climate system, radar meteorology, radiative transfer, cloud physics, satellite remote sensing of planetary atmosphere, physics of the air-sea boundary Layer; 

Dynamical: Introduction to fluid dynamics, dynamic climatology, large-scale atmospheric circulations, dynamical weather prediction, modelling the climate system, advanced topics in dynamical meteorology, advanced topics in geophysical applications; 

Synoptic: Tropical meteorology, dynamical weather prediction, statistical weather prediction, advanced topics in synoptic meteorology;

Other Topics: Applied time series analysis.

Credit Hours - 3

This course introduces the ideas and techniques of differential geometry and topology at a level suitable for postgraduate students and researchers in theoretical and mathematical physics. Topics to be discussed include the following: Topology; Differentiable manifolds; Vector fields; Lie groups; Fibre bundles and connections.

Credit Hours - 3

The goal of this course is to answer several questions pertaining to the state of a physical system solely on the basis of symmetry considerations. Topics to be discussed include the following: Groups and their representations; Group isomorphism theorems; Group automorphism: cyclic groups, elementary abelian groups, Group actions on sets; Discrete and continuous groups; SU(n) groups; Lie algebras; Lie groups; Applications to atomic, solid state, nuclear, and high energy physics.

Credit Hours - 3

This course principally examines the physics of stars and galaxies. Topics include the Sun and stellarradiation, stellar spectra and classification; stellarstructure and evolution, thermonuclear processes, interstellar material, the formation of stars and planets; binary systems, exo-planets; galaxies and active galactic nuclei; single-dish and interferometric radio techniques. The role of radio astronomy is highlighted throughout the course.

Credit Hours - 3

This course uses tools such as perturbation theory, exact solutions and renormalization groups to demonstrate the emergence of scale invariance and universality, and the non-equilibrium dynamics of interfaces and directed paths in random media.

Topics to be discussed include phase transitions, lattice models, Landau-Ginsburg theory, mean field theory, universality, scaling, renormalization group and critical exponents.

Credit Hours - 3

This course examines the modern theory of gravitation and its application in cosmology. Topics include Newtonian cosmology, principles of general relativity, differential geometry, energy and momentum of flat spacetime, curvature of spacetime near rotating and non-rotating centres of attraction, black holes, galactic dynamics, modified Newtonian dynamics, dark matter, and experimental tests.

Credit Hours - 3

This course takes a global view of the various processes in the universe that give rise to observable radiation or particles: Compton scattering, bremsstrahlung, synchrotron radiation, Cherenkov radiation, cosmic rays, cosmic plasmas, magnetospheres, solar flares, accretion disks, X-ray sources, primordial nucleosynthesis, cosmic microwave background, dark matter, neutrinos, gravitational waves.

Credit Hours - 3

The advanced problems in physics course is a problem-solving course that applies principles of physics as in classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, electrodynamics, statistical mechanics to a variety of problems including problems in atomic physics, molecular physics, optical and laser physics, solid-state physics, nuclear physics.

Credit Hours - 3

This course applies the theoretical principles of cosmology to specific structures in the universe. Topics include: cosmological principle, relativistic cosmology, types of universe, the beginning and evolution of the universe, competing models of the universe, inflationary models, cosmic background radiation,  nucleosynthesis, baryosynthesis, large scale structures, and experimental and observational evidence. 

Credit Hours - 3

The Topics in Contemporary Physics course deals with selected topics from current trends in physics and physics related fields, including medical physics, biophysics, condensed matter, atomic, molecular and optical physics, energy systems, physics of the environment, science of sustainability, mathematical physics, and complex systems. This course can be taken for credit only once.

Credit Hours - 3

The seminar series aim at exposing students to contemporary research in physics while giving them an avenue to present their research. Seminars are given by faculty and invited experts at which contemporary research in physics are discussed. In this course, students give at least one seminar each semester and present their research results.