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.