Physics
Physics is one of the
most fundamental of all sciences, and is the basis of our scientific
knowledge of the physical world. It seeks to explain the behaviour
of matter, time and space in the universe and covers phenomena
ranging from subnuclear interactions to cosmological events like the
Big Bang. The traditional B.Sc. degree in Physics is centered on
understanding scientific fundamentals and it is through this basic
approach that advances in scientific knowledge and technological
innovations have been made.
Programme Structure & Curriculum Rationale
B.Sc. (Hons) and B.Sc. in Physics is a
rigorous course covering the core topics in physics. The broadness
of the scope and the training in critical thinking and in analysis
will enable graduates to choose from a wide variety of careers.
B.Sc. (Hons)
students can choose to specialize in one of the following areas: (i)
Astrophysics, and (ii) Physics-in-Technology. These programs will
prepare graduates with in-depth knowledge in each area of
specialization.
Career Prospects
The Physics Department, which has
research strengths in many frontier areas including nanoscience,
quantum information technology, optical and magnetic materials, and
biophysics, provides a stimulating learning environment for all
students who wish to major in physics.
Physics graduates will be able to embark on career paths in R & D in
the physical sciences, engineering industries and microelectronics
industries, as well as education and training, government scientific
services sectors and IT. The unique problem solving skills our
graduates acquire have enabled them to work and succeed in commerce,
banking and finance.
Graduation
Requirements
To be awarded a B.Sc.
or B.Sc.(Hons.) with a major in Physics, candidates must satisfy the
following:
|
Module Level |
Major Requirements |
Cumulative
Major MCs |
| |
|
|
|
|
Level-1000
(24 MCs) |
Pass |
-
PC1141 Physics I
-
PC1142 Physics II
-
PC1143 Physics III
-
PC1144 Physics IV
-
MA1505 Mathematics I
-
MA1506 Mathematics II
|
24 |
|
Level-2000
(20 MCs) |
Pass |
-
PC2130 Quantum Mechanics
I
-
PC2131 Electricity and
Magnetism I
-
PC2132 Classical
Mechanics
-
PC2193 Experimental
Physics I
-
PC2230 Thermodynamics
and Statistical
Physics |
44 |
|
Level-3000
(19-20 MCs) |
Pass |
-
PC3130 Quantum Mechanics
II
-
PC3193 Experimental
Physics II
-
And any three modules
from the
following electives: |
63 – 64 |
|
|
|
-
PC3231 Electricity and
Magnetism II
-
PC3232 Nuclear and
Particle Physics
-
PC3233 Atomic and
Molecular
Physics I
-
PC3235 Solid State
Physics I
-
PC3236 Computational
Methods in
Physics
-
PC3238 Fluid Dynamics
-
PC3241 Solid State
Devices
-
PC3242 Physics of
Semiconductor
Processing
-
PC3243 Photonics
-
PC3246 Nuclear
Astrophysics
-
PC3247 Modern Optics
-
PC3251 Nanophysics
-
PC3267 Biophysics II
-
PC3274 Mathematical
Methods in
Physics II
-
PC3239 Special Problems
in
Undergraduate Physics II
-
PC3288 UROPS in Physics
I
-
PC3289 Advanced UROPS in
Physics
II
-
MLE3101 Materials
Characterization
-
MLE3105 Dielectric and
Magnetic
Materials (3 MCs) |
|
Level-4000
(30-32 MCs) |
Pass |
-
PC4199 Honours Project
in Physics
-
PC4130 Quantum Mechanics
III
-
And any four modules
from the following
electives: |
93 – 96 |
|
|
|
-
PC4232 Cosmology
-
PC4240 Solid State
Physics II
-
PC4241 Statistical
Mechanics
-
PC4242 Electrodynamics
-
PC4243 Atomic and
Molecular
Physics II
-
PC4245 Particle Physics
-
PC4246 Quantum Optics
-
PC4248 Relativity
-
PC4253 Thin Film
Technology
-
PC4259 Surface Physics
-
PC4262 Remote Sensing
-
PC4264 Advanced Solid
State
Devices
-
PC4265 Techniques for
Computerized
Experiments
-
PC4267 Biophysics III
-
PC4268 Biophysical
Instrumentation
and Biomolecular Electronics
-
PC4274 Mathematical
Methods in
Physics III
-
EE4401 Optoelectronics
(3 MCs) *
-
EE4413 Low-dimensional
Electronic
Devices (3 MCs) *
-
MLE4201 Advanced
Materials
Characterization *
-
MLE4204 Synthesis and
Growth of
Nanostructures *
-
MLE4205 Theory and
Modeling of
Materials Properties *
-
an approved module
offered by
other Departments |
*
These elective modules are only offered to students reading a double
degree in B.Eng. in Materials Science and Engineering and B.Sc. (Hons.)
in Physics.
B.Sc (Hons)
students majoring in Physics have the option to qualify for a
specialization in (1) Astrophysics, or (2) Physics-in-Technology.
To be awarded a
specialization in Astrophysics, candidates must satisfy the
following:
|
Module Level |
Specialization Requirements |
Cumulative
Major MCs |
|
Level-3000 |
Pass |
-
PC3246 Nuclear Astrophysics |
4 |
|
Level-4000 |
Pass |
-
PC4232 Cosmology
-
PC4248 Relativity
-
PC4199 Honours Project
in Physics
(Astrophysics) |
24 |
To be awarded a
specialization in Physics-in-Technology, candidates must
satisfy the following:
|
Module Level |
Specialization Requirements |
Cumulative
Major MCs |
|
Level-3000 |
Pass |
Any 24 MCs from
the following |
24 |
|
and
Level-4000 |
|
-
PC3235 Solid State
Physics I
-
PC3241 Solid State
Devices
-
PC3242 Physics of
Semiconductor
Processing
-
PC3243 Photonics
-
PC4246 Quantum Optics
-
PC4253 Thin Film
Technology
-
PC4199 Honours Project
in Physics
(Physics-in-Technology)
|
|
The total MCs required at each
level for graduation for a major in Physics.
|
Summary of Requirements |
B.Sc. |
B.Sc. (Hons.) |
University Requirements
|
20 MCs |
20 MCs |
|
Faculty
Requirements |
8 MCs
† |
8 MCs
† |
|
Major
Requirements |
63 – 64 MCs |
93 – 96 MCs |
|
Unrestricted
Elective Modules |
28 – 29 MCs |
36 - 39 MCs |
|
Total |
120 MCs
|
160 MCs
|
†
Students under the
B.Sc. and B.Sc.(Hons.) programmes are required to fulfill 8 MCs of
faculty requirements, where 4 MCs must come from any two
of two subject groups: Chemical Sciences, Life Sciences; but
not from the following subject groups: Physical Sciences or
Mathematical & Statistical Sciences. This is because the remaining
faculty requirements of 4 MCs and 8 MCs (required for the B.Sc. and
B.Sc.(Hons.) programmes respectively) are automatically fulfilled
through the reading of MA1505 and MA1506.
