Tue Aug 14

Dphil in Physics

Written by Gilbert Baigok
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Introduction

Physics is the branch of science concerned with the properties of matter and energy and the relationships between them through space and time. Man makes a deliberate effort to understand the working of things in nature and their relationship. Physics therefore achieves this by inculcating in students the ability to observe, measure, analyze and draw accurate deductions about an occurrence and extend the knowledge of nature. The Ph.D programme in Physics is intended to prepare candidates to work independently, arrive at new insights and contribute to research culminating in new knowledge which makes distinct contributions to understanding of the subject area. The candidate should be able to initiate research and generate new knowledge, supervise and teach postgraduate students, and take up leadership roles in the industry and institutions of higher learning. The course work shall be taken alongside research and thesis for complete knowledge and understanding, geared to develop, verify and disseminate the theory and applications of Physics based on originality and importance.
The department of physics offers the program leading to Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in physics. The program is offered by coursework, examination and thesis in the fields of Material Science, Condensed Matter Physics, Electronics, Renewable Energy and Theoretical Physics.

Philosophy of the Programme

The programme embraces constructivist philosophy which is in line with Moi University philosophy of pragmatism; putting knowledge to work. The PhD graduates
are expected to acquire practical oriented skills and generate new knowledge that will enable them to participate productively in the social, economic and technological transformation of society as spelled out in vision 2030. The philosophy of the programme entails training of physics experts in the areas of Theoretical Physics, Renewable Energy, Electronics and Materials Science.

Goal of the Programme

To train highly motivated and competent Physicist who makes transformative contribution to the world of technological knowledge and utilizes it to improve the lives. The PhD graduate shall provide expertise and leadership in the area of specialization, generate new knowledge and train other professionals or researchers.

Objectives of the programme

The objectives of the programme are to enable the learners to:
1) Acquire fundamental concepts and advanced techniques of Physics and scientific methodology
2) Design and conduct research projects in the areas of specialization.
3) Develop a sense of leadership, expertize and sustained commitment to the development of new ideas or processes at the forefront of area of specialization.
4) Synthesize scientific methods used in research and design innovative solutions to
societal needs.

Expected Learning Outcomes of the programme

Upon successful completion of this programme students will be able to:
1) Apply fundamental concepts and advanced techniques of Physics and scientific methodology to advance the knowledge and skills in theoretical physics, condensed matter physics, material science, renewable energy, and electronics
2) Formulate and execute research projects in theoretical physics, material science, condensed matter physics, renewable energy, and Electronics.
3) Provide scholarly leadership and expertise and sustained commitment to the development of new ideas or processes at the forefront of theoretical physics,
condensed matter physics, material science, renewable energy, and electronics.

4) Adapt the scientific methods used in research to provide solutions and innovations applicable to societal needs in the areas of theoretical physics, condensed matter physics, material science, renewable energy, and electronics

Course Schedules, Codes and Titles

First First year First Semester

Course Schedule Per Semester
Distribution of Courses per Semester

Code	Title	contact Hours per week	Theory contact Hours per Semester	Practicle contact Hours per Semester	Total Contact Hours per Semester
PHY 901	Advanced Mathematical Physics	3	42		42
PHY 902	Advanced Research Methodology	3	28	14	42
PHY 903	Research Seminar	3	14	28	42
PHY 989	PhD Research Proposal - Development: Literature Review	6		84	84
TOTAL		15	84	126	210

Second Semester

(B) Condensed Matter Physics Option

Code		Title	Hours per week	Contact Hours Per Semester	Contact Hours Per Semester	Contact Hours
		TWO core courses and TWO electives from Area of specialization.	12	168	-	168
(Supervisor may demand for more courses)
PHY 989		PhD Research Proposal – Development, Setup and write up	3	-	42	42
TOTAL			15	168	42	210
Areas of Specialization for Year One Semester Two i) Theoretical Physics Option
PHY910	Many body theory		3	42	-	42
PHY911	Advanced statistical Mechanics		3	42	-	42
PHY912	Superconductors and Superfluids		3	42	-	42
PHY913	Advanced Quantum Mechanics		3	42	-	42
TOTAL			12	168		168
ii) Condensed Matter Physics Option
PHY915	Physics of Mesoscopic Systems		3	42	-	42
PHY916	Topological States of Matter		3	42	-	42
	Any TWO Electives		6	42	-	84
TOTAL			12	168		168
iii) Material Science Option
PHY918	Principles of Functional Materials		3	42	-	42
PHY919	Structure of Materials		3	42	-	42
	Any TWO Electives		6	84	-	84
TOTAL			12	168	-	168
iv) Renewable Energy Option
PHY922	Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion		3	42	-	42
PHY923	Energy technologies, environment and sustainability		3	42	-	42
	Any TWO Electives		6	84	-	84
TOTAL			12	168		168
v) Electronics Option
PHY924	Digital System Design		3	42	-	42
PHY925	Microfabrication		3	42	-	42
	Any TWO Electives		6	84	-	84
TOTAL			12	168		168

Second Year

Code	Title	Contact Hours per Week	Theory Contact Hours Per Semester	Practical Contact Hours Per Semester	Total Contact Hours
PHY999	Proposal - Writing and Oral Presentation. PhD Thesis - Data generation and Analysis	15		210	210
TOTAL		15		210	210

Third Year

Code	Title	Contact Hours per Week	Theory Contact Hours Per Semester	Practical Contact Hours Per Semester	Total Contact Hours
PHY999	PhD Thesis - Writing, Submission and Oral Presentation	15		210	210
TOTAL		15		210	210

Elective

Material science/Condensed Matter
Physics Options

Code	Title	Units
PHY917E	Crystallography and Crystal analysis	42
PHY920E	Advanced Nanomaterials	42
PHY930E	MEMS Sensors and Actuators	42
Renewable energy Options
PHY921E	Inorganic nanomaterials for sustainability	42
PHY931E	Wind Energy	42
PHY928E	Fuel Cells and photovoltaic systems II	42
Electronics Options
PHY927E	Quantum Devices and Technology	42
PHY929E	Optical Fibre Technology	42
PHY926E	Nano-electronics Devices	42

Programme Matrix

Programme Matrix
KEY for Expected Learning Outcomes of the programme in the Programme Matrix

1) Apply fundamental concepts and advanced techniques of Physics and scientific methodology to advance the knowledge and skills in theoretical physics, condensed matter physics, material science, renewable energy, and electronics
2) Formulate and execute research projects in theoretical physics, material science, condensed matter physics, renewable energy, and Electronics.
3) Provide scholarly leadership and expertise and sustained commitment to the development of new ideas or processes at the forefront of theoretical physics, condensed matter physics, material science, renewable energy, and electronics.
4) Adapt the scientific methods used in research to provide solutions and innovations applicable to societal needs in the areas of theoretical physics, condensed matter physics, material science, renewable energy, and electronics

The programme expected learning outcomes matrix

		Programme Expected Learning Outcome
Course Code	Course Title	1	2	3	4
PHY901	Advanced Mathematical Physics	X			X
PHY902	Advanced Research Methodology	X	X		X
PHY903	Research Seminar	X	X	X	X
PHY910	Many body theory	X	X	X
PHY911	Advanced statistical Mechanics	X	X	X
PHY912	Superconductors and Superfluids	X	X	X	X
PHY913	Advanced Quantum Mechanics	X	X
PHY915	Physics of Mesoscopic Systems	X	X	X	X
PHY916	Topological States of Matter	X	X	X	X
PHY917E	Crystallography and Crystal Analysis	X	X	X
PHY918	Principles of Functional Materials	X	X	X
PHY919	Structure of Materials	X	X	X	X
PHY920E	Advanced Nanomaterials	X	X
PHY921E	Inorganic nanomaterials for sustainability	X	X	X
PHY922	Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion	X	X	X
PHY923	Energy technologies, environment and sustainability	X	X	X	X
PHY924	Digital System Design	X	X	X	X
PHY925	Microfabrication	X	X	X
PHY926E	Nano-electronics Devices	X	X	X
PHY927E	Quantum Devices and Technology	X	X	X
PHY928E	Fuel Cells and photovoltaic systems II	X	X	X	X
PHY929E	Optical Fibre Technology	X	X	X
PHY930E	MEMS Sensors and Actuators	X	X	X
PHY931E	Wind Energy	X	X	X
PHY989	PhD Research Proposal	X	X	X	X
PHY999	PhD Thesis	X	X	X	X

Physics Laboratory

MOI UNIVERSITY PHYSICS RESEARCH LAB

Progamme Statistics

PROGRAMME STATISTICS

	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
1. No. of applicants	10	8	9	7	3	8	6
2. No. of students enrolled (all nationalities)	6	5	7	6	3	4	4
3. No. of students enrolled (internationals)	2	0	1	1	0	0	1
4. No. of students enrolled (LeastDeveloped Countries (LDC, definition ac-cording to United Nations))	2	0	1	1	0	0	1
5. No. of female students enrolled (all nationalities)	2	1	2	0	0	2	1
6. No. of students of this cohort who have graduated to date	0	0	0	0	2	3	4
7. No. of students of this cohort who have dropped out to date	0	0	0	1	0	1	0
8. No. of supervisors	14	11	8	8	8	7	6
9. Supervisor ratio (please calculate from fields 1 and 8)	1	1	1	1	1	1	1