Physics

This course discusses statistical mechanics and thermodynamics in the advanced undergraduate level with vigorous mathematical treatment. It serves as a core course for physics major students as well as an elective core for those who are interested to gain a deep understanding of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics and to apply related techniques in their own majors. This is also an essential course for those who plan to pursue postgraduate studies in physics or related disciplines. Both conceptual ideas and mathematical treatment are emphasized. Topics include: Elements of Ensemble Theory, Boltzmann, Fermi and Bose-Einstein statistics. Partition function and the laws of Thermodynamics. Disorder and entropy; concept of temperature; the free energy. Density of states. Classical gas, electrons in metals, and black body radiation. Heat capacities. Thermal properties of magnetic systems. Assessment: assignments, final exam, test, lab reports.

This is a calculus-based physics course with a laboratory component for students who are pursuing science and engineering degrees. This is the second of a two-course sequence. This intensive course introduces fundamental concepts of physics as a foundation for more advanced studies in physics and applications in other areas of science and engineering. This course covers fluids, waves, electrostatics, and circuits including fluid mechanics, damped and driven oscillators, mechanical & acoustic waves, electrostatics, electric field and potential, currents and DC circuits, capacitors and dielectrics. Competence in calculus as well as algebra, geometry, and trigonometry is essential. This course provides a solid understanding of main physics topics and introduces methods of experimental physics. 

This course offers a study of thermodynamics. Topics include: zeroth law; concept of temperature; first law-- internal energy and heat; second law-- entropy; thermodynamic potentials, stability, and equilibrium; open systems, phase changes, and critical points; third law.

This course examines modern astrophysics. It covers how stars shine, and follow their evolution from birth to violent death; the physics of our planetary system and strange new worlds around other stars; our own Galaxy across the electromagnetic spectrum revealing the evidence for dark matter and supermassive black holes; and other galaxy systems, and the origin and fate of the whole Universe.

The course gives an overview of the fundamentals of medical and tissue optics as well as in-depth knowledge of a specific field selected by the students themselves. 

This course provides a firm understanding of physical concepts and processes, and students apply concepts learnt to recent advances in our understanding of science in general. Under the headings of physiology, diagnosis and therapy, and on scales from the cell through macro-organisms to the environment, students learn ways in which biological and medical phenomena may be better understood from a physics viewpoint.