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Masters of Science in Physics

Masters of Science in Physics
 
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, analyse and draw accurate  deductions about an occurrence and extend the knowledge of nature. The Master of Science (MSc) Programme in Physics is designed to equip students with advanced knowledge in areas of specialization and to expose them to research skills. The programme prepares students to work independently, arrive at new insights and contribute to research in the areas of Renewable Energy, Electronics, Theoretical Physics, Material
Science and Solid State Physics. This programme will produce graduates with competences to solve problems faced by society
 
Philosophy of the Programme

The programme embraces the philosophies of positivism and constructivism in which factual knowledge is gained through observation of nature and theories are tested. The knowledge is converted into practice which is in line with Moi University’s
philosophy of pragmatism. The philosophy of the programme entails training physics professionals in the areas of Theoretical Physics, Renewable Energy, Electronics and Materials Science. The graduates of the programme are expected to acquire
knowledge and practical oriented skills that will enable them to participate productively in the social, economic and technological transformation of society.
 
Goal of the programme
 
The aim of the Master of Science in Physics degree is to train graduates who are well grounded in the subject. The Department in accordance with the general objectives of the University offers this programme of study which satisfies the scientific needs and aspirations of the society from which its students are drawn. The programme is designed to develop innovative and creative physicist with the ability to infuse pragmatic approaches to community challenges. It also aims at equipping the learners with skills necessary for conducting scientific research which provide solutions to societal needs.
 
Objectives of the Programme
The objectives of the programme are to enable the learners to:
1) Acquire advanced knowledge and emerging concepts of Physics.
2) Gain necessary practical skills and techniques to carry out scientific research and
disseminate information.
3) Acquire the skills of problem formulation, data collection and analysis,
interpretation of findings, and preparation of thesis
4) Develop competency in the area of Theoretical Physics, Renewable Energy, Solid
State Physics, Materials Science or Electronics
5) Adapt the emerging physics knowledge to the solution of the societal problems
 
Course structure

Year 1Semester 1

Code

Title

units

Core Courses

PHY810

Classical Mechanics

3

PHY811

Mathematical Physics

3

PHY812

Quantum Mechanics

3
PHY813 Electrodynamics

3

PHY814

 Statistical Mechanics 3
PHY819 Research Methodology

3

 

    

Year 1 Semester 2

Code

Title

Units

PHY820

Physics Laboratory techniques

3

PHY825

Nuclear and Particle Physics

3
 

Four course from spacialization Areas

12 

SPECIALIZATION AREAS

i ) Solid State Physics Option

PHY821

 Elastic and thermal properties of solids 3

PHY822

Energy Bands, Magnetism and Amorphous Solids

 3

Any two Elective

PHY840E

 Electrical, Magnetic and Optical Properties of Solids 3
PHY841E

Laser, Holography and Nonlinear Optics

 3
PHY842E

Optical and Photoelectric Phenomena in Semiconductors

 3
ii) Electronics Option

PHY823

 Analogue Electronics 3
PHY824 Digital Systems and Microprocessors

3

Any Two Electives

PHY843E

 Introduction to MEMS 3
PHY844E

Microprocessors in Physics

 3

PHY845E

Physics of Semiconductor Devices

 3
PHY846E Optoelectronics

3

iii) Renewable Energy Option

PHY826

Fuel cells and Photovoltaic systems

 3
PHY827 Wind, wave and Tidal energy

3
 PHY828  Energy from Biomass and Waste Thermochemical Processes  3
PHY829 Geothermal and Hydroelectric Power technologies 3

iv) Material Science Option
PHY831 Introduction to Computational Material Science 3
PHY832 Nanoscience: Technology and Advanced Materials 3

Any TWO electives
PHY847E Bio-Materials Physics

3
PHY848E Soft Matter Physics

3
PHY849E Properties of Modern Materials

3
PHY850E Soil Physics

3

v) Theoretical Physics Option
PHY835 Superconductivity

3
PHY836 Theory of Second Quantization

3

Any TWO Electives
PHY851E Quantum Theory of Solids

3
PHY852E Theory of Relativity

3
PHY853E Group Theory in Physics

3
 

Year 2 semester 1

Code

Title

Units

PHY 898

Research Proposal –Writing, Presentation and Approval

6
PHY899 Thesis – Labwork and Data Generation

3
Year 2 semester 1
PHY 899 Thesis– Writing, Submission and Presentation

6
 

Course and Examination Matrix

Programme Course and Examination Matrix

The programme Overall Expected Learning Outcomes
1) Demonstrate understanding of advanced knowledge and emerging concepts of Physics.
2) Apply practical skills and techniques to carry out scientific research and disseminate information.
3) Formulate a research problem, collect and analyze data, interpret the findings, and prepare a thesis
4) Demonstrate competency in the area of Theoretical Physics, Renewable Energy, Solid State Physics, Materials Science or Electronics
5) Adapt the emerging physics knowledge to the solution of the societal problems

  Programme Outcome
Course Code Course Title Units 1 2 3 4 5
PHY810 Classical Mechanics 3 X     X X
PHY811 Mathematical Physics 3 X X X X X
PHY812 Quantum mechanics 3 X     X X
PHY813 Electrodynamics 3 X     X X
PHY814 Statistical Mechanics 3 X     X X
PHY819 Research methodology 3 X X X X X
PHY820 Physics Laboratory techniques 3 X X X X X
PHY821 Elastic and thermal properties of solids 3 X     X X
PHY822 Energy Bands, Magnetism and Amorphous Solids 3 X     X X
PHY823 Analogue Electronics 3 X X   X X
PHY824 Digital Systems and Microprocessors 3 X X   X X
PHY825 Nuclear and Particle Physics 3 X     X X
PHY826 Fuel cells and Photovoltaic systems 3 X X   X X
PHY827 Wind, wave and Tidal energy 3 X X   X X
PHY828 Energy from Biomass and Waste Thermochemical Processes 3 X X   X X
PHY829

Geothermal and Hydro-electric Power technologies

 3 X X   X X
PHY831 Computational Material Science 3 X X   X X
PHY832

Nanoscience: Technology and Advanced  Materials

 3 X X   X X
PHY835 Superconductivity 3 X     X X
PHY836 Theory of Second Quantization 3 X       X
PHY 898 Research Proposal 3 X   X X X
PHY 899 Thesis   X   X X X
PHY840E

Electrical, Magnetic and Optical Properties of Solids

 3 X     X X
PHY841E Laser, Holography and Nonlinear Optics 3 X     X X
PHY842E

Optical and Photoelectric Phenomena in Semiconductors

 3 X     X X
PHY843E Introduction to MEMS 3 X X   X X
PHY844E Microprocessors in Physics 3 X X   X X
PHY845E Physics of Semiconductor Devices 3 X     X X
PHY846E Optoelectronics 3 X X   X X
PHY847E Bio-Materials Physics 3 X X   X X
PHY848E Soft Matter Physics 3 X X   X X
PHY849E Properties of Modern Materials 3 X X   X X
PHY850E Soil Physics 3 X X   X X
PHY851E Quantum Theory of Solids 3 X     X X
PHY852E Theory of Relativity 3 X     X X
PHY853E Group Theory in Physics 3 X     X X

Physics Research Lab

Designed by Moi University ICT Department