first year – Department of Physics

Title	Classical mechanics and properties of matter
Code	SPHY111	Department	Physics and Engineering
Prerequisites	None	Co-requisites	None
Aim	The module is meant for entry level B.Sc. and contains fundamental concepts in Physics and Engineering that prepares the student for later study in more advanced fields in the Physical Sciences. It contains basic concepts in mechanics, waves, optics and thermodynamics.
Content	Statistical concepts: Probability, distributions, histograms, standard deviation, propagation of errors. Units and measurement: Dimensions, SI-system of units, basic measurements in physics. Mechanics: Forces, moments, couples, Newton’s laws, circular motion, momentum, oscillations, momentum and impulse Heat and thermodynamics: Mechanisms of heat transfer, heat capacity, phase changes, gases. Waves: Sound waves, light and light sources, laws of refraction, diffraction and reflection. Practical: Laboratory sessions on precision calculations in experimental results, forces, mechanics, optics heat and properties of matter
Outcome	Learners must be able to demonstrate: An understanding of statistical concepts for data analysis and presentation. An understanding of basic mechanics concepts, laws of Newton and their practical application. The understanding of circular motion, its mathematical representation and solving of problems associated with repetitive circular motion. An understanding of wave concepts, modes of propagation and associated phenomena inside a material medium. Learners should be able to identify most of laboratory instruments used in the level 1 laboratory and use these properly to obtain meaningful results Learners must be able to write simple scientific reports commensurate with level 1 B.Sc
Assessment	40% Continuous Assessment Mark 60% Formal end of module exam (3 hours)
DP Requirement	40% Continuous Assessment Mark 80% Attendance at practical’s and Project work

Title	Nuclear physics, electromagnetism and modern physics
Code	SPHY112	Department	Chemistry
Prerequisites	None	Co-requisites	None
Aim	The module is meant for entry level B.Sc. and contains fundamental concepts in Physics and Engineering that prepares the student for later study in more advanced fields in the Physical Sciences. It contains basic concepts in electricity, nuclear physics and modern physics.
Content	Electricity and Magnetism: Coulomb’s law, conductors and insulators. The electric field. Gauss’ law. Potential, electrical potential energy, line integral of electric field, Capacitance, dielectrics and properties of dielectrics, Electric circuits. Magnetic field and magnetism, motion of charges particles through magnetic fields, the cyclotron. Ampere’s law. Induced electromotive force, The R-L circuit and the L-C circuit. Magnetic properties of matter, materials, permeability, molecular theory. Magnetization and susceptibility. Hysteresis. Magnetic field of the earth. Magnetic circuits Atomic Physics and radioactivity: Quantum theory of radiation. Wien and Stefan’s laws. Planck’s radiation formula. Radioactivity, natural decay series. Detectors of radiation, Nuclear reactions, conservation laws, reaction process, proton induced, neutron-induced and other reactions. Q-values, alpha-. beta- and gamma-decay. Nuclear binding energy. Fission and fusion. Reactors, nuclear fuel, breeders. Cosmic radiation and fundamental principles Practical: Laboratory sessions on precision calculations in experimental results, forces, mechanics, optics heat and properties of matter.
Outcome	Learners must be able to demonstrate: An understanding of statistical concepts for data analysis and presentation. An understanding of basic in static electricity, natural phenomena such as lightening, and the principles of machines based on static electricity concepts such as Van De Graaf Generators An understanding of electric current and its effects (such as heating) The generation of electricity (Faraday’s law, Lenz’s law, etc.) A learner should understand the basic concepts of radioactivity, constituents of the nucleus and the effect of radiation. Learners should be able to solve problems related to theory taught. Learners should be able to identify most of laboratory instruments used in the level 1 laboratory and use these properly to obtain meaningful results Learners must be able to write simple scientific reports commensurate with level 1 B.Sc.
Assessment	40% Continuous Assessment Mark 60% Formal end of module exam (3 hours)
DP Requirement	40% Continuous Assessment Mark 80% Attendance at practical’s and fieldwork

Title	Classical mechanics and properties of matter for Biological sciences
Code	SPHY121	Department	Chemistry
Prerequisites	None	Co-requisites	none
Aim	This is a non-calculus module meant for Biologists, Medical scientists and those not following calculus based physics. The aim of the module is to encourage learners to have an appreciation of the physical world surrounding them, an understanding of principles governing the physical world as well as skills in handling and understanding the operation of general laboratory instruments most likely to be used in their future careers.
Content	Kinematics: Displacement, distance. Vectors and scalars. Motion in one and two dimensions – circular and projectile motion Dynamics: Concepts, inertia, momentum, force, weight. Newton’s three laws of motion. Friction. Rotational motion. Thermodynamics: temperature. First law. Heat capacity. Latent heat. Heat interchange. Radiation of heat by human body. Properties of solids and liquids: Thermal expansion. Elasticity. Viscosity. Diffusion, osmosis, surface tension. Bernoulli’s law. Waves and sound: Velocity of waves in elastic media. Intensity and level of intensity. Doppler effect. Ultrasonic waves and applications. Photometry: Fundamental quantities. Radiation energy. Light flux, light intensity, candela, illumination, Lambert’s law. Geometrical Optics: Laws of reflection and refraction. Lenses, power of a lens. Optical systems, Lens defects. The eye and eye defects. Optical instruments: magnifying glass, microscope. Physical Optics: Interference, coherence. Diffraction, single and double slits. Gratings. Polarization: reflection and double reflection, polarimeter. Resolving power of optical instruments. Special microscopes: (polarization, ultra – violet, interference, phase-contrast). Practical: Laboratory sessions on precision calculations in experimental results, forces, mechanics, optics heat and properties of matter.
Outcome	Learners must be able to demonstrate: An understanding of statistical concepts for data analysis and presentation. An understanding of basic mechanics concepts, laws of Newton and their practical application. The understanding of circular motion, its mathematical representation and solving of problems associated with repetitive circular motion. An understanding of wave concepts, modes of propagation and associated phenomena inside a material medium. Learners should be able to identify most of laboratory instruments used in the level 1 laboratory and use these properly to obtain meaningful results. Learners must be able to write simple scientific reports commensurate with level 1 for the biological sciences
Assessment	40% Continuous Assessment Mark 60% Formal end of module exam (3 hours)
DP Requirement	40% Continuous Assessment Mark 80% Attendance at practical’s

Title	Nuclear physics, electromagnetism and modern physics for Biological sciences
Code	SPHY122	Department	Chemistry
Prerequisites	none	Co-requisites	none
Aim	The aim of this module is to give learners the necessary grounding in physics for the further studies in biological and earth sciences
Content	Electrostatics: Coulomb’s law. Electrocardiogram. Dielectric media, electric polarization, induction field in a dielectric medium. Electrodynamics: Electric current and resistance. Ohm’s law. Temperature dependence of resistance. Circuits. Potentiometer.. Electricity. Electrical energy Joule’s law. Electrical power. Ionic conduction. Chemical effect of electric current. Conduction by gasses. Applications. Electromagnetism: Magnetic induction and flux. Force on moving charges in a magnetic field. Measurement of blood velocity using electromagnetic flow meters. Electrical instruments and measurements. Laws of Faraday and Lenz. Alternating current: Generation. A C circuit with resistance, capacitance and inductance. Transformer. Phases. Atomic physics: Rutherford-Bohr atom. Absorption and emission of energy by the atom. Stationary orbits and energy levels. Spectral lines of the hydrogen atom. Black-body radiation. Photo-electric effect and applications. Photomultipliers and stimulation emission of radiation. Lasers. X-Rays: Production of X-rays, continuous and characteristic spectra. Absorption. Medical applications. Diagnosis and therapy. Fluoroscope and image intensifier. Wave-particle duality e.g. light and matter. De Broglie waves. Compton effect. Electron microscope. Radioactivity: Natural radioactivity. Radioactive decay, activity, disintegration constant, half-life.Nuclear reactions. Production of radioactive isotopes. Medical applications. Practical: Laboratory sessions on precision calculations in experimental results, forces, mechanics, optics heat and properties of matter.
Outcome	Learners must be able to demonstrate: An understanding of statistical concepts for data analysis and presentation. An understanding of basic in static electricity, natural phenomena such as lightening, and the principles of machines based on static electricity concepts such as Van De Graaf Generators An understanding of electric current and its effects (such as heating) The generation of electricity (Faraday’s law, Lenz’s law, etc.) A learner should understand the basic concepts of radioactivity, constituents of the nucleus and the effect of radiation. Learners should be able to solve problems related to theory taught. Learners should be able to identify most of laboratory instruments used in the level 1 laboratory and use these properly to obtain meaningful results. Learners must be able to write simple scientific reports commensurate with level 1 for biological sciences.
Assessment	40% Continuous Assessment Mark 60% Formal end of module exam (3 hours)
DP Requirement	40% Continuous Assessment Mark 80% Attendance at practical’s and fieldwork

Title	Elementary physics for Consumer Sciences
Code	SPHY131	Department	Chemistry
Prerequisites	None	Co-requisites	None
Aim	The aim of this module is to give learners the necessary grounding in physics for the further study in consumers sciences
Content	Mechanics: Units and measurements. Vectors, Pressure, kinematics, levers and center of gravity, work energy and power and machines. Heat and molecular structure Heat energy, expansion, properties of gases and molecular structure, transfer of heat energy, change of state Wave motion, light and sound: Waves, reflections and shadows, refraction, thin lenses and curved mirrors, optical instruments, electromagnetic spectrum, sound. Electricity Magnetism, electric circuits, magnetic effects of an electric current, Energy and power, Electromagnetic induction. Radioactivity Radiation counters, ionizing radiation, nature of α-, β- and γ- radiation and the mechanism of emissions, Radioactive sources, radioactive decay, safety precautions and uses. Practical: Laboratory sessions on precision calculations in experimental results, forces, mechanics, optics, heat and properties of matter and electricity.
Outcome	Learners must be able to demonstrate: An understanding of statistical concepts for data analysis and presentation. An understanding of basic mechanics concepts, laws of Newton and their practical application. The understanding of circular motion, its mathematical representation and solving of problems associated with repetitive circular motion. An understanding of wave concepts, modes of propagation and associated phenomena inside a material medium. An understanding of basic concepts in electricity and magnetism. A basic understanding of nuclear physics, radiation and its effects. Learners should be able to identify most of laboratory instruments used in the level 1 laboratory and use these properly to obtain meaningful results Learners must be able to write simple scientific reports commensurate with level 1 for the consumer sciences
Assessment	40% Continuous Assessment Mark 60% Formal end of module exam (3 hours)
DP Requirement	40% Continuous Assessment Mark 80% Attendance at practical’s and fieldwork