Modules Offered
Level 4 Modules
| Code | Title | MC |
Sem I |
Sem II |
| PC4130 | Quantum Mechanics III | 4 |
X |
|
| PC4199 | Honours Project in Physics | 12 |
X |
X |
| PC4199R | Integrated B.ENG./B.SC. (Hons) Dissertation | 16 |
X |
X |
| PC4232 | Cosmology | 4 |
X |
|
| PC4240 | Solid State Physics II | 4 |
X |
|
| PC4241 | Statistical Mechanics | 4 |
X |
|
| PC4242 | Electrodynamics | 4 |
X |
|
| PC4243 | Atomic and Molecular Physics II | 4 |
X |
|
| PC4245 | Particle Physics | 4 |
X |
|
| PC4246 | Quantum Optics | 4 |
X |
|
| PC4248 | Relativity | 4 |
X |
|
| PC4253 | Thin Film Technology | 4 |
X |
|
| PC4259 | Surface Physics | 4 |
X |
|
| PC4262 | Remote Sensing | 4 |
X |
|
| PC4267 | Biophysics III | 4 |
X |
|
| PC4268 | Biophysical Instrumentation & Biomolecular Electronics | 4 |
Not offered |
|
| PC4274 | Mathematical Methods in Physics III | 4 |
X |
|
Brief Description of Modules
Prerequisite & Preclusion(s):please refer to NUS Bulletin Online
This module is a continuation of module PC3130. It is targeted at physics majors. The algebraic structure of angular momentum is developed with an emphasis on the addition of two angular momenta. The properties of systems consisting of identical particles are studied. The last part of the module focuses on time-dependent perturbation calculus and scattering theory. The module is mainly targeted at physics majors.
PC4199 Honours Project in Physics
Prerequisite & Preclusion(s):please refer to NUS Bulletin Online
PC4199R Integrated B.ENG./B.SC. (Hons) Dissertation
Prerequisite & Preclusion(s):please refer to NUS Bulletin Online
Prerequisite & Preclusion(s):please refer to NUS Bulletin Online
Prerequisite & Preclusion(s):please refer to NUS Bulletin Online
This module introduces students to elements of the physics of crystalline solids. Topics covered include: energy bands of the nearly free electron model, tight binding method, Fermi surfaces and their experimental determination, plasmons, polaritons and polarons, optical processes and excitons. We will also cover superconductivity, dielectrics and ferroelectrics, diamagnetism, paramagnetism, ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism, and magnetic resonance. This module is targeted at physics majors, and is useful for science and engineering students who already have background knowledge of solid state physics on par with PC3235 Solid State Physics I.
Prerequisite & Preclusion(s):please refer to NUS Bulletin Online
This module presents the fundamentals of statistical mechanics. Starting with the classical and quantum postulates, the three ensembles of Gibbs are derived. The statistical interpretation of thermodynamics then follows. The thermodynamic quantities are obtained in terms of the number of states, partition and grand partition functions. Applications to independent electron systems, with and without magnetic field, and Bose-Einstein condensation are given. The course ends with a brief introduction to phase transitions. This module is targeted at physics students with at least one year of thermal physics.
Prerequisite & Preclusion(s):please refer to NUS Bulletin Online
This module presents the fundamentals of classical electrodynamics in depth. It covers: (1) Relativistic formulation of the EM field: four-vectors and tensors, four-vector potential, field strength tensor, energy-momentum vector, covariance of electrodynamics. (2) Radiation by a point charge: Retarded potential, Lienard-Wiechert potentials, radiation reaction and the Abraham-Lorentz formula, Larmor's formula for radiated power and its relativistic generation, angular distribution pattern, Cherenkov radiation in a dielectric medium, Bremsstrahlung. (3) Simple radiating systems: Multipole expansion of the EM fields, energy and angular momentum of multipole radiation, angular distribution, multipole radiation sources and linear antenna, and (4) Scattering and diffraction: Kirchoff's integral, diffraction by a small aperture, Thomson and Rayleigh scattering, scattering by a conducting sphere. A good mathematical foundation is required.
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PC4243 Atomic and Molecular Physics II
Prerequisite & Preclusion(s):please refer to NUS Bulletin Online
The objective of this module is to enable students to understand essential atomic and molecular structures and processes occurring both in the laboratory as well as in the natural environment. Major topics covered are: atomic processes, diatomic molecular structures, transitions and interaction processes, molecular symmetry. Syllabus in detail includes: molecular vibrational and rotational motions and their interactions, electronic structures, electronic and nuclear spins, angular momentum coupling, transitions and Franck-Condon's principle, atomic and molecular collision theory, two-body systems, single and bulk elastic collision phenomena, selected topics in inelastic collisions. Target students include students intending to do advanced studies in basic physics, spectroscopy, plasma physics, surface physics, and condensed matter physics.
Prerequisite & Preclusion(s):please refer to NUS Bulletin Online
This is an introductory course on the fundamental constituents of matter and their basic interactions; important concepts and principles, recent important experiments, underlying theoretical tools and calculation techniques in elementary particles physics will be expounded. The topics covered are: basic properties of elementary particles and the standard model, relativistic kinematics; symmetries: isospin and SU(3), quark model; parity and CP violation; Feynman diagrams and rules; quantum electrodynamics; cross sections and lifetimes: deep inelastic scattering; and introductory gauge theories and unified models. This module is mainly targeted at physics majors.
Prerequisite & Preclusion(s):please refer to NUS Bulletin Online
This module presents an introduction to quantum optics. A foundation in quantum mechanics and electrodynamics is needed. The treatment is mostly semi-classical, where only basic quantum field theory is assumed. Quantization of the free electromagnetic field is introduced to lay foundations for understanding nonclassical states of light. The basic quantum theory of coherence is discussed in terms of correlation functions, together with experimental techniques characterizing statistical properties of light fields. The generation of single photons and entangled photon pairs is discussed as a key technique for both investigating the non-locality of quantum mechanics, and as a basic resource for modern topics of quantum communication, such as quantum cryptography and quantum teleportation. The module addresses both theoretical and experimental aspects, and is mainly targeted at physics majors.
Prerequisite & Preclusion(s):please refer to NUS Bulletin Online
This module provides an introduction to the theories of special and general relativity. The topics covered are: relativistic kinematics and Lorentz transformations, the concept of spacetime, relativistic mechanics, homogeneous and inhomogeneous Lorentz groups; general tensor analysis, the Riemann tensor, the gravitational field equation, the Schwarzschild solution and experimental tests of general relativity. While this module is mainly targeted at physics majors, it is also suitable for science students with a strong mathematical foundation.
Prerequisite & Preclusion(s):please refer to NUS Bulletin Online
The scope of the course embraces the basic principles of thin-film deposition techniques such as chemical vapor deposition and physical vapor deposition as well as their applications in the microelectronics industry. The basic principles include vacuum technology, gas kinetics, adsorption, surface diffusion and nucleation. These are the fundamental features which determine the film growth and the ultimate film properties. Common thin-film characterization methods which measure film composition and structure as well as mechanical and electrical properties are also covered. This course is for senior physics students with an interest in pursuing a career in industry.
Prerequisite & Preclusion(s):please refer to NUS Bulletin Online
This module provides an introduction to surface physics, its techniques and applications. The topics include: surface tension, surface crystallography, surface physical processes such as relaxation, reconstruction and defects, surface chemical properties, surface segregation, surface electronic structures including surface states, band bending, dipole layer, work function, core-level-shifts, Fermi level pining, plasmon, and surface vibrational properties. Experimental techniques, such as LEED, RHEED, XAS, SEXAFS, XPS, UPS, AES, SIMS and EELS, will be also addressed with examples and applications. This module is targeted at physics or materials science students, who have a basic knowledge of quantum mechanics and solid state physics.
Prerequisite & Preclusion(s):please refer to NUS Bulletin Online
This module explores the physics behind the chain of events that leads to the acquisition of remote sensing images. Topics covered include: satellite orbital dynamics, radiometry, scattering of EM waves, radiative transfer in the atmosphere, ocean and vegetation canopy, various types of sensors, and examples of remote sensing applications. Skills in image processing and analysis of remote sensing images will be gained through project works. This module is targeted at students who are interested in applying physics to real-life situations. The students should already have a basic knowledge of physics and mathematical methods.
Prerequisite & Preclusion(s):please refer to NUS Bulletin Online
This module covers the principles of statistics in relation to biophysics and bio soft materials. It focuses on: modeling of biomacromolecular structure and statistical complexities; molecular mechanics of biomolecules; statistical models for structural transitions in biopolymers, statistical physical description of structural transitions in macromolecules, simulation of macromolecular structure, structural transitions in polypeptides and proteins; coil-helix transitions; prediction of protein secondary and tertiary structures; statistics of structural transitions in polynucleotides and DNA; modeling of non-regular structures of biomacromolecules. This module is targeted at both physics and non-physics students who already have basic knowledge in physics, thermodynamics and molecular biology.
PC4268 Biophysical Instrumentation and Biomolecular Electronics
Prerequisite & Preclusion(s):please refer to NUS Bulletin Online
This module introduces the techniques applied in biophysics and biomolecular electronics. It covers absorption and emission spectroscopy associated with biomolecules; infrared and Raman spectroscopy; magnetic resonance; symmetry of crystal, x-ray crystal structure analysis for macromolecular-structures; principles of light scattering, Rayleigh scattering, scattering from particles comparable to wavelength of radiation, static light scattering, dynamic light scattering, low angle X ray/neutron scattering, scanning probing microscopy; chemical, somatic, and visceral receptors, elements of integrated technologies and applications for biosensors; bio-molecular devices, protein computer. There is a lab component included in this module. This module is targeted at both physics and non-physics students who already have basic knowledge in physics, electronics and molecular biology.
PC4274 Mathematical Methods in Physics III
Prerequisite & Preclusion(s):please refer to NUS Bulletin Online
This module introduces advanced mathematical methods that are essential in many areas of theoretical physics. The topics covered are: tensor analysis, applications to classical mechanics, electrodynamics, and relativity; differentiable manifolds, curved manifolds, tangent and dual spaces, calculus of differential forms, Stokes' theorem, and applications to electromagnetic theory; symmetries of manifolds, Lie derivatives and Lie groups, and their physical applications. The module is targeted at students who wish to study theoretical physics.
