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 - 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.