Physics

This course offers an introduction to equilibrium thermodynamics. The course covers the First and Second Laws of thermodynamics, along with the concepts of temperature, internal energy, heat, entropy, and the thermodynamic potentials. The course also considers the applications of thermodynamic concepts to topics such as heat engines, the expansion of gases, and changes of phase. The Third Law, and associated properties of entropy, completes the course.

This course provides a comprehensive training of both experimental and data analytical skills in mechanics, electronics, magnetism, nuclear physics, semiconductors, optics and lasers. In particular, emphasis is placed on the basic measurement skills in physics experiments, familiarization of the commonly used experimental apparatus, as well as the collection, handling, and analysis of real world data. While this course is mainly for physics majors, it is also suitable for science and engineering students interested in a career in the industries of semiconductors, optical communications, and life sciences.

The course provides a study of the major principles and types of rheology and how these can be applied to give the required structure, texture, and viscosity in processed biomaterials. Major topics include viscosity of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids, viscoelastic properties of weak and strong gels, transient responses of a wide range of food and pharmaceutical products, and theoretical/empirical modelling of mechanical properties.