Courses Offered (AY2026/2027)

This course continues from PC2130 and aims to complete basic introductions of quantum mechanics to physics oriented students. This course will mainly cover the following: angular momentum albegra, spin, identical particles, time-independent perturbation theory, variational principle, time-dependent perturbation theory, and basics of quantum scattering theory, with applications including the Zeeman effect, atomic fine structure and hyperfine structure, ground state of the helium atom, the Fermi golden rule, atom in a classical electromagetic field, stimulated and spontaneous emission, s-wave scattering.

This continuous assessment course is intended to provide training in experimental techniques and analytical skills. Experiments are based on various areas of physics such as spectroscopy, nuclear physics, laser physics, optics and electronics. Some experiments involve the use of research-grade equipment like the electron microscope, the atomic force microscope and the FTIR spectrophotometer. Project-type experiments are also available. The course is targeted at science and engineering students who have a foundation in Level 2 experimental physics.

This elective course assumes knowledge of and is a sequel to PC2131. A good command of calculus and linear algebra is desirable. It is intended for students who wish to acquire a deeper understanding of Electricity and Magnetism. It prepares students for more advanced study at the postgraduate level. This course provides a comprehensive treatment of electromagnetic fields and forces. It covers the following topics: Electrostatic fields in matter, magnetostatic fields in matter, time-varying electric and magnetic fields in matter, relativistic electrodynamics, and radiation.

PC3232 is an intermediate course in nuclear physics with an introduction to particle physics. The course begins by exploring the Standard Model, which seeks to explain the Universe in terms of fundamental particles, interactions, and symmetries. The focus then shifts to nuclear particles and nuclear phenomena, applying these foundational concepts to model and understand key topics such as stability, decay, fission, and fusion. Throughout the course, you will gain an appreciation of how the principles of quantum mechanics and relativity shape our Universe.

This course presents the basic concepts and principles of atomic and molecular physics. In particular, the course revolves around the energy level schemes of atoms and molecules which are essential to the interpretation of atomic and molecular spectra. Topics covered include the hydrogen and helium atoms, spin-orbit coupling schemes, hyperfine interaction, Lamb shift, atoms in magnetic fields, multi-electron atoms, Pauli exclusion principle, Hund’s rules, diatomic molecules, Born-Oppenheimer approximation, electronic, vibrational, rotational and rotational-vibrational spectra; The course is targeted at students who have background in quantum mechanics and want to build the foundations for studying the interactions of matter and light in modern atomic physics contexts.

This is a first course in solid state physics. It aims to lay the foundations for students seeking to major in physics as well as students studying in materials science and engineering. The lectures emphasize on the fundamental concepts of condensed matter, covering crystal structure and reciprocal lattice, crystal binding and elastic constants, crystal vibrations and thermal properties, free electron theory and physical properties of metals, electron in periodic potentials, and basic semiconductors. Simple model prediction data and the experimental data from real systems would be compared and discussed to help students develop an intuitive understanding of the subject.

The course covers fundamental solid state physics concepts (crystal structure, reciprocal lattice, free electron theory) and the physical properties of metals, electrons in periodic potentials, and basic semiconductor physics: Doping, p-n junctions, crystal defects, diffusion processes, energy bands of the nearly free electron model, tight binding approximations, Fermi surfaces and their experimental determination, optical processes, piezoelectricity, basic ideas of magnetism.

The course presents basic computational methods useful for physics and science students. The lectures cover: (1) Basic numerical methods – differentiation, integration, interpolation, root-finding and random number generators, (2) Differential equations – finite difference method, shooting method and relaxation method; applications to chaotic dynamics of a driven pendulum, one-dimensional Schrödinger equation, and fast Fourier transform, (3) Matrices – Gaussian elimination scheme for a system of linear equations, eigenvalues of Hermitian matrices; Hartree-Fock approximation, (4) Monte Carlo simulations – sampling and integration; random walk and simulation of diffusion equation, stochastic differential equation, Brownian dynamics; variational Monte Carlo simulation; Metropolis algorithm and Ising model, and (5) Finite element methods – basic concepts; applications to the Poisson equation in electrostatics.

This course introduces fundamental aspects of fluid dynamics, with emphasis on topics relevant to atmospheric and ocean dynamics. The Navier-Stokes equations are derived from first principles. After an introduction to potential flow theory, the study of water waves is taken up to illustrate the behaviour of dispersive wave propagation and nonlinear shock forming tendency. Effects of vertical stratification and rotation on fluid flows are then discussed, and applied to the analysis of atmospheric and ocean flow phenomena. The course closes with an introduction to the theories of turbulence, with application to the atmospheric boundary layer.

This course introduces students to astrophysics. It covers observational astronomy, celestial mechanics, and stars. Students will learn to conduct astronomical observations, analyse and interpret astronomical data, and use the principles of physics to study stars. The major topics covered in this course include celestial motions, telescopes, stellar properties, binary systems, stellar spectra, equations of stellar structure, and star formation.

The objective of this course is to establish the interconnectedness of knowledge between principles of optics and modern sciences/technologies and identify the applications in our daily life. It covers wave properties, refraction and dispersion, interference, Michelson interferometer, Fabry-Perot cavity and optical resonator, interference filter, Fraunhofer and Fresnel diffraction, resolution limit, Fourier transformation, holography; polarisation, birefringence and wave plates, light absorption and emission, lasers. This course is targeted at physics and non-physics students, who are interested in principles of modern optics.

The changes to physical properties (electronic, optical and magnetic) due to formation of structures at the nanoscale will be the main emphasis of this course. Properties differing from the bulk due either to an increase in surface area/volume ratio or quantum confinement will be studied in structures ranging from quantum wells, wires and dots to self-assembled mono-layers and heterostructure formation. The kinetics and thermodynamics driving the formation of these nanostructured surfaces and interfaces will be discussed. The course will also highlight current and potential applications of these nanoscale systems. Examples of materials systems will include metals, oxides, III-V, II-VI, CNT, SiC and SiGe systems.

This course aims to introduce the principles and approaches of physics in the area of molecular biophysics. It includes molecular complexes of biomolecules; physical and symmetrical relationships between biomolecules; physical and structural characteristics of proteins and amino acids; symmetric and statistical descriptions of nucleic acids; first law and second law of thermodynamics in biological systems; bonding and non-bonding potentials, and stabilizing interactions in biomacromolecules, and the correlation to macromolecular structures; molecular mechanics in biological systems; bio soft condensed materials, bio-membrane and biomembrane structure, principles of molecular self assembly of biomolecules. There is a lab component included in this course. This course is targeted at both physics and non-physics students who already have basic knowledge in physics and life sciences.

By extracting and predicting insightful correlations within observations of complex physical phenomena, Machine Learning (ML) models push the boundaries of data-driven scientific exploration. This couse introduces ML models and their underlying principles, including a short overview of foundational statistics and information theory. Furthermore, students will see applications of ML models to the Physical Sciences (e.g. optics, statistical physics, condensed matter, biological physics). Although this course will be taught in the Python programming language, prior experience in any programming language will nonetheless be helpful.

This course aims to give students the necessary mathematical skills for other physics courses. The topics to be covered include: vector spaces; Fourier series; Dirac delta-function; Fourier transforms; partial differential equations, separation of variables; physical applications.

The course provides hands-on experience with modern detectors, electronics, data acquisition systems, radiation sources and other nuclear physics equipment that forms the basis for the applications of nuclear physics to medical physics, radiation protection and other fields. The course will be restricted to the students in the Medical Physics minor.

The course gives an introduction to the basic physics, the biology and the applications of radiation in medical imaging and radiation therapy. After a review of basic radiation physics and the relevant radiobiology, the currently used major modes of diagnostic and interventional imaging are covered. This will be followed by a discussion of the major methods of radiation cancer therapy (by photons, protons and electrons).

This course adopts a heuristic approach to understanding the current paradigm of the first 3 minutes of the Big Bang. Mathematics will be introduced only when necessary. Participants will also be enthused with the historical and philosophical development of Space and Time discussed. Topics covered include Relativity, Quantum Physics and Cosmology.

This course provides an introduction to the scientific study of stars. It covers the physical properties of stars, the measurements of these properties, and the relevant laws of physics. It discusses the relationship among stellar physical properties as a step towards understanding star formation and stellar evolution. Some advanced topics, including variable stars, supernovae and black holes, are briefly discussed.

This course covers the structure of galaxies starting from star formation and star clusters with a strong focus on the analysis of observational data and insights from simulations. We discuss the underlying physics that give rise to the various shapes and structures that we see in galaxies, and briefly discuss the role of the supermassive black hole in the centre of many galaxies. Finally, we end off with clusters of galaxies and the large-scale structure of the universe.

Quantum phenomena based on the superposition principle and quantum entanglement have attracted significant attention in the past. Nowadays, strong efforts are being made to develop applications based on these phenomena. Such Quantum Technologies includes use cases in quantum communication and information processing, quantum enabled sensing, and quantum computations and simulations. The aim of this course is to provide the student with an overview of the applications and underlying principles. This covers a broad range of topics from quantum key distribution, over atomic clocks, inertial sensors, to early types of quantum computers.

This course introduces students to the science and practice of numerical weather prediction (NWP) and climate modelling, with emphasis on the numerical methods for solving the system of governing equations. The major topics covered include: 1. Basic equations governing the dynamics and thermodynamics of the atmospheric and oceanic processes. Modes of atmospheric motions and the filtering approximations. 2. Solution of parabolic, elliptic and hyperbolic equations. Finite-difference, finite-volume, spectral numerical methods. Linear and nonlinear computational instability. Students will develop codes for solving 2-D shallow water systems. 3. Parameterisation of subgrid scale processes. 4. Data assimilation. 5. Atmospheric predictability and ensemble forecasting.

This course provides an overview of the fundamental dynamical and physical processes important in meteorology and oceanography, explaining how their interactions and feedbacks contribute to the complex, nonlinear weather/climate system. Students will emerge with an understanding of the fundamental atmospheric and oceanic processes e.g. surface heating, convection, radiation, friction, etc. and how their interactions with the water cycle leads to much of the weather we see on earth.

This is the fourth course of an interdisciplinary program covering nature at different scales from ‘Atoms to Molecules, ‘The Cells’, ‘The Earth’ and ‘The Universe’. This course traces the developments in theoretical and observational cosmology, starting from Newtonian cosmology, Hubble’s observations, the Big Bang, formation of stars and black holes to recent ideas in the origin and fate of the Universe.

This course exposes senior students to nanoscience research and nanotechnology-based industry. This is done through a series of weekly seminars by principal investigators and industrial experts in the field, laboratory and industrial visits, and by completion of nanosynthesis/nanocharacterization-related mini projects. The course culminates in an intensive one-week study tour to Japan, organised in collaboration with La Trobe University and Tokyo University.