BSc. Physics
Overview
Physics is perhaps the most fundamental branch of all the sciences. The science of Physics has since long been divided into Mechanics, Acoustics, Heat, Electricity, Magnetism, Optics and Mathematical Physics. These divisions now form the pillar of all researches into the Theories of nature, Structure of matter, Atomic and Nuclear Physics.
The Department of Physics is located on an approximately 1½-acre compound joining the College of Science Complex building, bordered to the north by the Faculty of Pharmacy, south by the Engineering Workshop and east by the Bureau of Integrated Rural Development (BIRD) and west by the Aboagye Menyeh Complex (College of Science) on the main KNUST Campus.
The Department has offered courses including Mathematics, Optoelectronics, Quantum Mechanics, Statistical Mechanics, Electromagnetic Theory, Basic Instrumentation and Measurement, Materials Science, Thermodynamics, Atomic Physics, Nuclear Physics, Biomedical Physics, Geophysics, Electronics, Spectroscopy, Solid State Physics and Environmental Physics since the inception of the Department in 1961.
Over the years the Department has succeeded in realizing our main mission of producing high calibre and competitive physicists who do not only contribute immensely to the development of the country but also fit very well into the global physics community. The bulk of all physicists produced in the country are from this Department. About 80% Physicists at the Atomic Energy Commission who trace their roots to this this Department.
Aims:
The main aim of the programme is to build human capacity by training to produce skilled Physics graduates with world standard qualities and well-grounded in the fundamentals of Physics and acquisition of the necessary skills, in order to use their knowledge in Physics in a wide range of practical application.
Objectives
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Developing creative thinking and the power of imagination to enable graduates work in research for broader application.
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Accommodating the relevant fields in allied disciplines and to allow the graduates of Physics to fit into the inter-disciplinary environment.
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Relating the training of Physics graduates to the employment opportunities within the country.
Structure of the programme
1 Theory (T) = 1 Credit (C) and 4 Practical (P) = 1 Credit (C)
*1 Theory (T) = 1 Credit (C) and 2 Practical (P) = 1 Credit (C)
-
Year One (1) Semester One (1)
Code
Course Name
T
P
C
PHY 151
Introductory Mechanics
3
0
3
*CSM 151
Information Technology I
2
2
3
PHY 153
Electricity & Magnetism
3
0
3
PHY 155
Experimental Physics I
1
4
2
MATH 183
Calculus for Physics I
3
0
3
CHEM 155
Basic Physical Chemistry I
2
0
2
ENGL 157
Communication Skills I
2
0
2
FC 181
French for Communication I
2
0
2
Total
18
6
20
-
Year One (1) Semester Two (2)
Code
Course Name
T
P
C
PHY 152
Geometrical Optics & Waves
3
0
3
*CSM 152
Information Technology II
2
2
3
PHY 154
Properties of Matter
3
0
3
PHY 156
Experimental Physics II
1
4
2
MATH 184
Calculus for Physics II
3
0
3
CHEM 156
Basic Physical Chemistry II
2
0
2
ENGL 158
Communication Skills II
2
0
2
FC 182
French for Communication II
2
0
2
Total
18
6
20
-
Year Two (2) Semester One (1)
Code
Course Name
T
P
C
PHY 251
Electronics I
2
0
2
PHY 253
Classical Mechanics I
3
0
3
PHY 255
Thermodynamics
2
0
2
PHY 257
Experimental Physics III
1
4
2
MATH 291
Linear Algebra for Physics
3
0
3
PHY 261
Programming with C++ I
2
4
3
PHY 263
Nuclear Physics
2
0
2
ENGL 263
Literature in English I
1
0
1
16
8
18
Electives (Select One)
FC 281
French for Communication III
2
0
2
ECON 151
Elements of Economics I
2
0
2
Total
18
8
20
-
Year Two (2) Semester Two (2)
Code
Course Name
T
P
C
PHY 252
Electronics II
2
0
2
PHY 254
Classical Mechanics II
3
0
3
PHY 294
Solid State Physics I
3
0
3
PHY 258
Experimental Physics IV
1
4
2
MATH 292
Differential Equations for Physics
3
0
3
PHY 262
Programming with C++ II
2
4
3
PHY 264
Optics
2
0
2
ENGL 264
Literature in English II
1
0
1
17
8
19
Electives (Select One)
FC 282
French for Communication IV
2
0
2
ECON 152
Elements of Economics II
2
0
2
Total
19
8
21
YEAR THREE – AREA OF SPECIALISATION AND CORE COURSES
-
Year Three (3) Semester One (1)
CORE COURSES
Code
Course Name
T
P
C
PHY 351
Quantum Mechanics I
3
0
3
PHY 355
Environmental Physics I
2
0
2
MATH 395
Mathematics Analysis for Physics
2
0
2
MATH 397
Partial Differential Equation for Physics
2
0
2
PHY 395
Solid State Physics II
3
0
3
12
0
12
AREA OF SPECIALISATION
-
PHYSICS WITH BIOMEDICAL PHYSICS
PHY 365
Biomedical Laboratory I
1
4
2
PHY 367
Medical Physics I
2
0
2
PHY 369
Radiobiology I
2
0
2
Total
17
4
18
-
PHYSICS WITH COMPUTING
PHY 371
Object Oriented Programming with Java
2
4
3
PHY 373
Programming With Web Applications I
2
4
3
Total
16
8
18
-
PHYSICS WITH ELECTRONICS
PHY 377
Electronic Laboratory I
1
4
2
PHY 379
Analogue Circuits
2
0
2
PHY 381
Electronic Materials and Devices
2
0
2
Total
17
4
18
-
PHYSICS WITH GEOPHYSICS
PHY 383
Geophysics Laboratory and Fieldwork I
1
4
2
PHY 385
Introductory Geophysics
2
0
2
PHY 387
Introductory Geology
2
0
2
Total
17
4
18
-
PHYSICS WITH MATERIALS SCIENCE
PHY 389
Materials Science Laboratory I
1
4
2
PHY 391
Structural Defects in Crystals
2
0
2
PHY 393
Microstructural Characterization of Metals and Alloys
2
0
2
Total
17
4
18
-
PHYSICS WITH APPLIED MATHEMATICS
PHY 397
Scientific Programming for Physics
1
4
2
PHY 357
Fluid Dynamics I
3
0
3
PHY 393
Solid Mechanics
3
0
3
Total
19
4
20
-
-
Year Three (3) Semester Two (2)
CORE COURSES
Code
Course Name
T
P
C
PHY 352
Quantum Mechanics II
3
0
3
PHY 356
Environmental Physics II
2
0
2
MATH 396
Numerical Analysis for Physics
1
4
2
STAT 392
Probability and Statistics for Physics
1
4
2
PHY 396
Electromagnetic Theory
3
0
3
10
8
12
AREA OF SPECIALISATION
-
PHYSICS WITH BIOMEDICAL PHYSICS
PHY 366
Biomedical Laboratory II
1
4
2
PHY 368
Medical Physics II
2
0
2
PHY 370
Radiobiology II
2
0
2
Total
15
12
18
-
PHYSICS WITH COMPUTING
PHY 372
Data Communication and Networks
2
4
3
PHY 374
Programming With Web Applications II
2
4
3
PHY 380
Digital Circuits
2
0
2
Total
16
16
20
-
PHYSICS WITH ELECTRONICS
PHY 378
Electronic Laboratory II
1
4
2
PHY 380
Digital Circuits
2
0
2
PHY 382
Introduction to Renewal Energy
2
0
2
Total
15
12
18
-
PHYSICS WITH GEOPHYSICS
PHY 384
Geophysics Laboratory and Fieldwork II
1
4
2
PHY 386
Geological Structures and Maps
3
0
3
PHY 388
Geology of Mineral Deposits
2
0
2
Total
16
12
19
-
PHYSICS WITH MATERIALS SCIENCE
PHY 390
Materials Science Laboratory II
1
4
2
PHY 392
Phase Transformations
2
0
2
PHY 394
Mechanical Evaluation of Materials
2
0
2
Total
15
12
18
-
PHYSICS WITH APPLIED MATHEMATICS
PHY 358
Fluid Dynamics II
3
0
3
PHY 398
Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics
3
0
3
MATH 398
Functional Analysis
2
0
2
Total
18
0
20
-
-
Year Four (4) Semester One (1)
CORE COURSES
Code
Course Name
T
P
C
PHY 451
Atomic Physics I
3
0
3
PHY 453
Statistical Mechanics
3
0
3
MAS 261
Principles of Management
3
0
3
PHY 455
Project I
0
12
3
9
12
12
AREA OF SPECIALISATION
-
PHYSICS WITH BIOMEDICAL PHYSICS
PHY 463
Health Physics I
3
0
3
PHY 465
Biophysics I
3
0
3
Total
15
12
18
-
PHYSICS WITH COMPUTING
PHY 467
Microprocessors I
2
4
3
PHY 469
Programming with Structured Languages
2
4
3
Total
13
20
18
-
PHYSICS WITH ELECTRONICS
PHY 467
Microprocessors I
2
4
3
PHY 471
Optoelectronics I
3
0
3
Total
16
16
18
-
PHYSICS WITH GEOPHYSICS
PHY 477
Electrical & Electromagnetic Prospecting Methods
3
0
3
PHY 479
Gravity & Magnetic Prospecting Methods
3
0
3
Total
15
12
18
-
PHYSICS WITH MATERIALS SCIENCE
PHY 481
Steel Technology and Corrosion Science
3
0
3
PHY 483
Non-Ferrous Metals and Alloys
3
0
3
Total
15
12
18
-
PHYSICS WITH APPLIED MATHEMATICS
PHY 457
ElectroDynamics
2
0
2
PHY 485
Computational Physics I
2
4
3
Total
13
16
17
-
-
Year Four (4) Semester Two (2)
CORE COURSES
Code
Course Name
T
P
C
PHY 452
Atomic Physics II
3
0
3
PHY 454
Spectroscopy
3
0
3
MAS 262
Corporate Social Responsibility
2
0
2
PHY 456
Project II
0
12
3
8
12
11
AREA OF SPECIALISATION
-
PHYSICS WITH BIOMEDICAL PHYSICS
PHY 464
Health Physics II
3
0
3
PHY 466
Biophysics II
3
0
3
Total
14
12
17
-
PHYSICS WITH COMPUTING
PHY 468
Microprocessors II
2
4
3
PHY 474
Telecommunication Physics
3
0
3
Total
13
16
17
-
PHYSICS WITH ELECTRONICS (Select any Two (2))
PHY 468
Microprocessors II
2
4
3
PHY 472
Optoelectronics II
3
0
3
PHY 474
Telecommunication Physics
3
0
3
Total
13,14
12,16
17
-
PHYSICS WITH GEOPHYSICS
PHY 478
Seismic Prospecting Methods
3
0
3
PHY 480
Radiometric Prospecting and Borehole Logging
3
0
3
Total
14
12
17
-
PHYSICS WITH MATERIALS SCIENCE
PHY 482
Ceramics and Composites
3
0
3
PHY 484
Structure, Properties and Applications of Polymers
3
0
3
Total
14
12
17
-
PHYSICS WITH APPLIED MATHEMATICS
PHY 486
Computational Physics II
2
4
3
PHY 488
MultiScale Modelling
3
0
3
Total
13
16
17
-