Courses Offered (AY2026/2027)

This course offers a thematic overview of the frontiers of physics, with a central focus on light due to its ubiquitous presence in the development of modern physics. It covers the classical wave description of light, from the history of its discovery to the basic mathematical notions, the speed of light and special relativity, as well as light’s impact on the development of quantum theory, highlighting some fundamental quantum processes involving one or two photons. It also explores light-based technologies and considers the historical and philosophical context of these scientific concepts, laying a solid foundation for further study in physics.

This course aims to bridge the gap between ‘O’-level physics and first-year-level university physics. The course covers two branches of fundamental physics: mechanics and electricity & magnetism. Topics included in mechanics are linear motion, circular motion, Newton’s laws of motion, work and energy, conservation of energy, linear momentum, and simple harmonic motion. Topics included in electricity & magnetism are electric force, field & potential, current & resistance, DC circuits, electromagnetism and electromagnetic induction.