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Application For Postgraduate

This course consists of a thesis on an approved topic as arranged with the supervisor appointed in consultation with the Head of Department. Seminars will be an integral part of the course. Prospective students will normally have completed the requirements for a MSc degree in Physics or a related discipline. The course duration shall be a minimum of two years.

See General Rules for Doctoral degrees.

This course consists of a dissertation on an approved topic, or of a dissertation plus coursework on theory on which examination papers will be written, as arranged with the supervisor appointed in consultation with the Head of Department. Seminars will be an integral part of the course. Prospective students will normally have completed the requirements for a BSc Honours degree in Physics or a related discipline. The course durationshall be a minimum of one year.

See General Rules for Masters degrees. 

This is a one year course for full-time students.
Part –time students shall do the same course in a minimum of two years. Before a student is accepted for part-time study, the Head of Department must be satisfied that the student will have sufficient time for theory work and laboratory projects.
Prospective students will normally have completed the requirements for a B.Sc. degree in Physics or a related discipline.
The student shall register for a minimum of five courses in consultation with the Head of Department. One 3-hour
paper shall be written on four of the courses and the fifth course is a project course.

TitleMathematical Methods of Physics
CodeSPHY501DepartmentPhysics and Engineering
PrerequisitesBSc(Physics)Co-requisitesNone
AimThe module is meant for BSc(Hons) and deals with advanced fundamental concepts of Mathematical Methods of Physics and it prepares the student for both theoretical and experimental physics at Masters and doctoral level. It prepares the student for research
work in the field. It contains advanced concepts in Mathematical Methods in Physics and materials science.
Content
  • Coordinate Systems and Vector Analysis
  • Tensors
  • Mathematical Series
  • Group Theory, Determinants and Matrices
  • Complex Functions
  • Differential Equations
  • Special Functions of Physics
  • Fourier Series
  • Integral Transforms
  • Integral Equations
  • Project & Practicals
AssessmentContinuous assessment mark (40%, consisting of 2x 2-hr tests, at least one project), 1×3- hr exam (60%).
DP Requirement30% Continuous Assessment Mark, 80% Attendance at practicals & Project work

TitleAdvanced Quantum Mechanics
CodeSPHY502DepartmentPhysics and Engineering
PrerequisitesSPHY311, SPHY322Co-requisitesSPH591, SPH592
AimThe module is meant for BSc(Hons) and deals with advanced fundamental concepts of Quantum Mechanics that prepares the student for both theoretical and experimental physics at Masters and doctoral level. It prepares the student for research work in the field
and other related disciplines (Solid State Physics, Nuclear Physics, and Theoretical Physics).
Content
  • Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
  • Quantum Observables and States
  • Quantum Dynamics
  • Some Examples in Quantum Dynamics
  • The Density Matrix:
  • Angular Momentum and Spin
  • Identical Particles
  • Symmetries and Conservation Laws
  • The Measurement Problem in Quantum Mechanics
  • Perturbations and Approximation Methods
  • Hydrogen and Helium Atoms
  • Hydrogen Molecular Ion
  • Quantum Optics
AssessmentContinuous assessment mark (40%, consisting of 2x 2-hr tests, at least one project), 1×3- hr exam (60%).
DP Requirement30% Continuous Assessment Mark, 80% Attendance at practicals & Project work

TitleNuclear Physics, Radioactivity and Applications
CodeSPHY503DepartmentPhysics and Engineering
PrerequisitesSPHY312, SPHY311Co-requisitesSPH591, SPH592
AimThe module is meant for BSc(Hons) and deals with advanced fundamental concepts of Nuclear Physics, Radioactivity and their Applications. The module prepares the student for both theoretical and experimental physics at Masters and doctoral level. It prepares the student for research work in the field.
Content
  • Basic Nuclear Structure
  • Elements of Quantum Mechanics
  • Nuclear Properties
  • The Force Between Nucleons
  • Nuclear Models
  • Nuclear Decay and Radioactivity
  • Detecting Nuclear Radiations
  • Alpha Decay
  • Beta Decay
  • Gamma Decay
  • Nuclear Reactions; Neutron Physics; Nuclear Fission
  • Nuclear Fusion; Accelerators; Nuclear Spin and Moments
  • Meson Physics
  • Particle Physics
  • Nuclear Astrophysics
  • Applications Of Nuclear Physics
AssessmentContinuous assessment mark (40%, consisting of 2x 2-hr tests, at least one project), 1×3- hr exam (60%).
DP Requirement30% Continuous Assessment Mark 80% Attendance at practicals & Project work

TitleSolid State Physics and Applications
CodeSPHY504DepartmentPhysics and Engineering
PrerequisitesSPHY311, SPHY322Co-requisitesSPH591, SPH592
AimThe module is meant for BSc(Hons) and deals with advanced fundamental concepts of Solid State Physics that prepares the student for both theoretical and experimental physics at Masters and doctoral level. It prepares the student for research work in the field. It contains advanced concepts in solid state physics and materials science
Content
  • Crystal Structure
  • Wave Diffraction and the Reciprocal Lattice
  • Crystal Binding and Elastic Constants
  • Crystal Vibrations & Thermal Properties of Solids
  • Free Electron Gas Model
  • Energy Bands in Solids
  • Semiconductors
  • Fermi Surfaces and Metal
  • Superconductivity
  • Diamagnetism and Paramagnetism
  • Ferromagnetism and Antiferromagnetism
  • Plasmons, Polaritons, and Polarons
  • Optical Processes and Excitons
  • Dielectrics and Ferroelectrics
  • Surface and Interface Physics
  • Low Dimensional Structures
  • Point Defects and Dislocations
  • Alloys
AssessmentContinuous assessment mark (40%, consisting of 2x 2-hr tests, at least one project), 1×3-hr
exam (60%).
DP Requirement30% Continuous Assessment Mark, 80% Attendance at practicals & Project work

TitleAdvanced Electrodynamics
CodeSPHY505DepartmentPhysics and Engineering
PrerequisitesSPHY222Co-requisitesNone
AimThe module is meant for BSc(Hons) and deals with advanced fundamental concepts of Electrodynamics. The module prepares the student for both theoretical and experimental physics at Masters and doctoral level. It prepares the student for research work in the field of
electrodynamics and its related disciplines.
Content
  • Introduction to Electrodynamics
  • Introduction to Electrostatics
  • Boundary Value Problems in Electrostatics
  • Magnetostatics
  • Time-Varying Fields and Maxwell’s Equations
  • Plane Waves
  • Wave Guides and Resonant Cavities
  • Simple Radiating Systems, Scattering and Diffraction
  • Magnetohydrodynamics and Plasma Physics
  • Special Theory of Relativity
  • Dynamics of Relativistic Particle and Electromagnetic Fields
  • Collissions between Charged Particles, Energy Loss and Scattering
  • Radiation by Moving Charges
  • Bremsstahlung, Method of Virtual Quanta, Radiative Beta Processes
  • Multiple Fields
AssessmentContinuous assessment mark (40% , 2x 2hr tests, at least one project) , 1×3 h exam (60%).
DP Requirement30% Continuous Assessment Mark, 80% Attendance at practicals & Project work

TitleAdvanced Statistical Mechanics
CodeSPHY506DepartmentPhysics and Engineering
PrerequisitesSPHY311, SPHY322Co-requisitesSPH591, SPH592
AimThe module is meant for BSc(Hons) and deals with advanced fundamental concepts of Statistical Mechanics Physics that prepares the student for both theoretical and experimental physics at Masters and doctoral level. It prepares the student for research work in the field and other related disciplines (Solid State Physics, Nuclear Physics, and Theoretical Physics).
Content
  • The Statistical Basis of Thermodynamics
  • The Ensemble Theory
  • The Canonical Ensemble
  • The Grand Canonical Ensemble
  • Formulation of Quantum Statistics
  • The Theory of Simple Gases
  • Ideal Bose Systems
  • Ideal Fermi Systems
  • Statistical Mechanics Of Interacting Systems:
AssessmentContinuous assessment mark (40%, consisting of 2x 2-hr tests, at least one project), 1×3-hr exam (60%).
DP Requirement30% Continuous Assessment Mark, 80% Attendance at practicals & Project work

TitleProject Physics
CodeSPHY509DepartmentPhysics and Engineering
PrerequisitesSPHY311, SPHY322,Co-requisitesSPH591, SPH592,
AimThe module is meant for BSc(Hons) and deals with material suitable for an experimental scientist. It prepares the student for experimental physics at Masters and doctoral level. The student is expected to skills in writing research proposals, conducting projects and experiments, be able to write understandable technical reports and to present results and proposals to an audience. Make a learner to be aware of and adhere to acceptable ethical behaviour.
Content

RESEARCH PROPOSAL WRITING:
Importance of writing research proposals, Different types of proposals (Thesis, proposals to solicit funds, etc.). Models of proposals, Essential sections of a proposal,
EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS:
Data collection & techniques; At least four characterisation methods (RBS, ERDA,
Channelling, SEM, Raman Spectroscopy, XPS, ARPES, AFM, UV-VIS)
PROJECTS:
At least one project in either Solid State Physics or Nuclear Physics.
PRESENTATION:
Presentation skills.
TECHNICAL REPORT WRITING:
How to write a technical report
TECHNIQUES ON PUBLICATION WRITING:
Various methods of writing a successful publication.
CARE OF INSTRUMENTATION AND SAFETY IN THE LABORATORY:
Documentation related to instruments and maintenance of research equipment. Common safety rules and procedures in the laboratory.
ETHICS:
Importance of adhering to accepted ethical rules.

AssessmentContinuous assessment mark (10% presentation skills,10% writing skills, 90% Project).
DP Requirement30% Continuous Assessment Mark, 80% Attendance at practicals & Project work