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 - 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 - 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.