Master of Science Degree in Physics

Departmental Regulations for the Master of Science Degree in Physics

1.0 Entrance Requirements

1.1 To be admitted to the Master’s Degree Programme in Physics, the applicant should have completed either the Combined Major/ Minor, Combined Major/ Major or the Single Major Degree Programme in Physics offered at this University or equivalent institution, and obtained at least a second class, second division, or an equivalent qualification.

2.0 Programme Structure

2.1 The Master of Science Degree Programme shall be by coursework and Dissertation, with the normal duration as described in General Regulation 41.5.1.

2.2 Coursework will take 2 semesters and shall consist of 12 credits of core courses and 12 credits of optional courses from 1 of the 4 different streams given below. Additional streams may be added in the future depending on Departmental research capabilities and national interests.

2.2.1 Courses

Core Courses

PHY611 Classical Mechanics and Fluid Mechanics

PHY612 Electrodynamics

PHY613 Quantum Mechanics

PHY614 Thermal and Statistical Physics

Optional Courses

Candidates must take 12 credits from any 1 of the following streams:

Stream A: Energy and Environmental Physics

PHY620 Energy Physics

PHY621 Environmental Physics

PHY622 Agricultural Physics

PHY623 Atmospheric Physics

PHY624 Radiation Physics

PHY642 ElectronicInstrumentation

PHY643 Independent Study Course

PHY650 Mathematical Methods for Physics

Stream B: Geophysics

PHY 630 Physics of the Earth

PHY 631 Seismology

PHY632 Exploration Geophysics

PHY633 Geophysics Field Experiments

PHY623 Atmospheric Physics

PHY642 Electronic Instrumentation

PHY643 Independent Study Course

PHY650 Mathematical Methods for Physics

Stream C: Instrumentation

PHY640 Microprocessor Systems and Applications

PHY641 Physics of Semiconductor Devices

PHY642 Electronic Instrumentation

PHY643 Independent Study Course

PHY650 Mathematical Methods for Physics

Stream D: Theoretical Physics

PHY650 Mathematical Methods for Physics

PHY651 Field Theory

PHY652 Particle Physics

PHY653 Nuclear Structure Theory

PHY654 Condensed Matter Physics

PHY655 General Relativity and Cosmology 222

PHY656 Quantum Optics (3)

PHY643 Independent Study (3)

Dissertation

PHY 700 Supervised Research and Dissertation in Physics

3.0 Progression to Dissertation

3.1 Students must have passed all the papers of the coursework in order to be permitted to enrol for PHY 700: Supervised Research and Dissertation in Physics, which shall begin during the long vacation following the first 2 semesters and shall continue for the following 2 semesters.

3.2 Students can proceed with probation as described in General Regulation 41.8.2.

4.0 Supervision

Supervision shall be as prescribed in General

Regulation 41.9.

5.0 Assessment and Examination

5.1 During the coursework, each of the graduate courses will be assessed by combining continuous assessment and a final examination in the ratio 1:1, except for PHY643 Independent Study and PHY633 Geophysics Field Experiments, which will be assessed by continuous assessment only. All examinations shall be of 2 hours’ duration unless stated otherwise.

5.2 The overall course grade shall be computed as General Regulation 41.7.4. The Cumulative GPA shall be computed in accordance with General Academic Regulation 00.86.

5.3 The Dissertation will be examined by an internal examiner and an external examiner, both of whom shall be nominated by the Department. An oral examination to defend the Dissertation may be arranged.

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