MPhil (Mathematical and Computational Physics)
Course Overview
Ghana needs more researchers and scientists to understand and solve many of the nation’s challenges and issues pertaining to driving an advanced technological development and innovative industrialization. The achievements of these are possible, if we shall intensify our knowledge in multidisciplinary programmes such as Mathematical & Computational Physics to compliment laboratory/field work and experimental prototype. This is a key technology which is bound to increase efficiency and effectiveness in all diverse aspects of our socio-economic and industrial sectors. The Department of Physics has a very strong solid foundation in physics, computing and mathematics. Hence, the Department of Physics is in a good position to drive this single but complex task - improving the knowledge and understanding of students from all aspects of science and engineering with good background in physics, computing and mathematics to solve Ghana’s physical (real life) problems. Finally, the exponential increase in computation in the world today requires Ghana to be prepared and positioned to embrace the fortunes that come our way. There is therefore the need to train well-qualified scientists and technologists to drive industrial and scientific development and technological innovation.
Aims:
Indeed, it is a recognized fact that Ghana (Africa) is the continent most vulnerable to advanced technology, and with the least existing capacity to respond. It is also a known fact that most of the World’s and Africa’s challenges pertaining to advanced technology and innovation are computational physics related. Modelling (Computation Physics) is therefore relevant and important in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the development process of African countries in general. Much of Africa’s hydrological, geophysical, atmospheric, meteorological and material refinery is technology-fed, and this brings to the fore, the significance of mathematical and computational physics in the realization of the SDG’s in Africa and its overall sustainable development. In fact, the consequences of the lack of modelling on the socio-economic development of individuals, communities, nations and the whole world are topical subject in every walk of life.
In Ghana, and Africa in general, mathematical and computational physics scientists are needed in vital areas of the economy such as materials production, renewable energy generation and storage sector, telecommunication, the water sector, the oil and gas sector, weather forecasting, mining, disaster mitigation and many others. Due to their impacts on human livelihoods, these areas are crucial in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Therefore, it is a fact that Ghana desperately needs degree programmes in mathematical and computational physics for training the needed manpower to address the lack of trained specialists in the above mentioned areas.
Objectives
The objective of the MPhil degree in Mathematical & Computational Physics is to build human capacity by training to produce skilled postgraduates with world standard qualities in broad span of length and time scale:
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Deformation, fatigue and fracture of materials
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Thermal transfer, electromagnetic field and wave propagation phenomenon
-
Fluid and solid mechanics of interaction
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Application in related environmental (physical) phenomena to develop Ghana (Africa)
Structure of the programme
1 Theory (T) = 1 Credit (C) and 4 Practical (P) = 1 Credit (C)
-
Year One (1) Semester One (1)
Code
Course Name
T
P
C
PHYC 551
Advanced PDE for Physics
3
0
3
PHYC 553
Parallel Computing for Physics
2
4
3
MATH 581
Advanced Analysis & Algebra
3
0
3
8
4
9
Specialization (MATERIALS MODELLING)
Elective (Select Three)
PHYC 555
Physics of Nonlinear Systems
3
0
3
PHYS 551
Theory of Fields
3
0
3
PHYS 553
Advanced Classical Mechanics
3
0
3
PHYS 557
Statistical Physics
3
0
3
PHYM 553
Metallic Materials
3
0
3
Total
17
4
18
Specialization (RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS)
Elective (Select Three)
PHYC 555
Physics of Nonlinear Systems
2
4
3
PHYC 581
Control Systems
2
4
3
PHYC 583
Instrumentation for Energy Systems
2
4
3
PHYC 585
Renewable Energy Sources and Systems
3
0
3
Total
14, 15
8
18
Specialization (HYDROGEOLOGICAL / RESERVOIR MODELLING)
Elective (Select Three)
PHYC 555
Physics of Nonlinear Systems
3
0
3
PHYG 571
Geophysical Fluid Dynamics
2
4
3
PHYG 573
Applied Hydrogeology
2
4
3
PHYG 575
Reservoir Characterization
2
4
3
Total
14, 15
8, 12
18
Specialization (SPACE PHYSICS MODELLING)
Elective (Select Three)
PHYC 555
Physics of Nonlinear Systems
3
0
3
PHYA 551
Space physics
3
0
3
PHYS 551
Theory of Fields
3
0
3
PHYS 553
Advanced Classical Mechanics
3
0
3
PHYS 557
Statistical Physics
3
0
3
PHYG 571
Geophysical Fluid Dynamics
2
4
3
Total
16, 17
4, 8
18
Year One (1) Semester Two (2)
Code
Course Name
T
P
C
PHYC 552
MultiPhysics MultiScale lab
2
4
3
PHYC 554
Numerical Approximation
2
4
3
PHYC 556
Machine Learning for Physics
2
4
3
6
12
9
PATHWAYS
Specialization (MATERIALS MODELLING)
Elective (Select Three)
PHYS 554
Advanced Quantum Mechanics
3
0
3
PHYS 558
Nanoscience
3
0
3
PHYM 552
Ceramic Materials
3
0
3
PHYM 556
Polymeric Materials
3
0
3
PHYC 562
Classical Simulation
2
4
3
PHYC 564
Quantum Simulation
2
4
3
PHYC 566
Kinetic Theory Simulation
2
4
3
PHYC 568
Quantum Computing
3
0
3
PHYS 572
Advanced Condensed Matter Physics
3
0
3
Total
13, 15
16,20
18
Specialization (RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS)
Elective (Select Three)
PHYC 562
Classical Simulation
2
4
3
PHYC 564
Quantum Simulation
2
4
3
PHYC 566
Kinetic Theory Simulation
2
4
3
PHYC 582
Energy Storage
3
0
3
PHYC 586
Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Technology
3
0
3
PHYC 588
Green Energy Systems
3
0
3
Total
14,15
16, 20
18
Specialization (HYDROGEOLOGICAL / RESERVOIR MODELLING)
Elective (Select Three)
PHYG 572
Fluid – Solid Interaction
3
0
3
PHYG 574
Geophysical Inversion
2
4
3
PHYG 576
Ground Water & Reservoir Simulation
2
4
3
PHYG 578
Physical Oceanography
2
4
3
Total
12, 13
20, 24
18
Specialization (SPACE PHYSICS MODELLING)
Elective (Select Three)
PHYA 552
Radiative transfer in Atmosphere
3
0
3
PHYA 554
Astrophysics
3
0
3
PHYA 556
General Relativity and Cosmology
3
0
3
PHYA 558
Particle Physics
3
0
3
PHYC 566
Kinetic Theory Simulation
2
4
3
PHYG 572
Fluid – Solid Interaction
3
0
3
PHYG 574
Geophysical Inversion
2
4
3
PHYG 578
Physical Oceanography
2
4
3
Total
14, 15
16, 20
18
Year Two (2) Semester One (1)
Code
Course Name
T
P
C
PHYC 550
Seminar
0
0
0
PHYC 560
Thesis
0
0
0
Total
0
0
0
-
Year Two (2) Semester Two (2)
Code
Course Name
T
P
C
PHYC 550
Seminar
0
0
0
PHYC 560
Thesis
0
0
0
Total
0
0
0