Undergraduate Courses 2016-17

This course is for students with no physics background. Course content: Principle of scientific theories and methods, Aristotle's law, Newtonian mechanics. Thermal physics, heat engine, energy crisis and global warming. Nature of waves and the physics of hearing and vision. Electricity and magnetism, electromagnetic waves and telecommunication. Relativity, quantum physics, nuclear energy and semiconductor. Developments and outlook of contemporary physics.

This course introduces students to origin of modern astronomy, gravity, light and telescope, star light and atoms, stars (binary, formation, evolution, death), neutron stars and black holes, normal galaxies, peculiar galaxies, cosmology, the solar system, life on other world. Students without the physics prerequisite but have taken PHYS 1001 or equivalent may seek instructor’s approval for enrolling in the course.

This course will introduce the basic concepts of the physical principles behind energy. Various forms of energy and their use (including electricity, fossil energy, nuclear power, various forms of renewable energy), and their impacts on the environment both from a global and a regional perspectives will be discussed. Issues related to energy conservation and related environmental issues in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta (PRD) will be discussed. Students without the physics prerequisite but have taken PHYS 1001 or equivalent may seek instructor’s approval for enrolling in the course.

Who are scientists? What are these people and how do they think? Is there any fundamental contradiction between science and religion? Is there a "human" side of science? These are the questions we intend to discuss in this course. The course starts with an introduction to the principle of falsifiability, and the importance of precise measurement in science. These principles are then illustrated using several historical examples in science and social science. The relation between science, humanity and society will be discussed afterward. Group project(s) and presentations are required throughout the course.

Films and movies are for entertainment. As such, actions and episodes in movies frequently violate the basic laws of physics. By analyzing the situations portrayed in movies, we seek to establish some basic principles of physics such as the laws of motions, conversation laws, principles of thermodynamics and notions of modern physics. Using films to illustrate the correct (or wrong) concepts of physics is a good way to help the students to comprehend and apply the basic principles of science in an enjoyable way. Movies and films also frequently describes, sometimes in a grossly exaggerated manner, the dire consequences when science or technology falls in the hands of the bad people or when good science is applied for a wrong purpose by unsuspecting people who have good intentions. Analyzing such situations can help students to evaluate the social and philosophical implications of scientific discoveries and technological development. Students without the physics prerequisite but have taken PHYS 1001 or equivalent may seek instructor’s approval for enrolling in the course.

For students with no physics background. Introduction to our Universe; observation in astronomy; origin of modern astronomy. Newton's law of motions; gravity; light, atoms and telescope. The Sun; stellar formation and evolution; white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes. The Milky way Galaxy; Normal galaxies, active galaxies and supermassive black holes. Foundation of modern cosmology; dark matter, dark energy and the fate of the Universe; the beginning of time.

PHYS 1111 and PHYS 1112 target students who have learned the most basic knowledge in physics in high school. Students with more advanced physics background should consider taking PHYS 1312. PHYS 1111 employs an algebra-based approach. Students with knowledge of calculus should take PHYS 1112 instead. Key topics include motions and Newton's laws, work and energy, conservation of energy and momentum, rotation, rigid body, simple harmonic and damped oscillations, forced oscillations, standing waves and sound waves, kinetic theory and the laws of thermodynamics. For students under the 4-year degree only. Students with a passing grade in any MATH courses coded between 1000 and 1600 need to seek instructor’s approval for enrolling in this course.

PHYS 1111 and PHYS 1112 target students who have learned the most basic knowledge in physics in high school. Students with more advanced physics background should consider taking PHYS 1312. PHYS 1112 employs a calculus-based approach. Students without knowledge of calculus should take PHYS 1111 instead. Key topics include motions and Newton’s Laws, work and energy, conservation of energy and momentum, rotation, rigid body, simple harmonic and damped oscillations, forced oscillations, standing waves and sound waves, kinetic theory and the laws of thermodynamics. For students under the 4-year degree only. Students without the physics prerequisite but have taken PHYS 1001 or equivalent, and/or without the mathematics prerequisite but have taken MATH 1012/ MATH 1013/ MATH 1020/ MATH 1023 or equivalent may seek instructor’s approval for enrolling in the course.

A laboratory course to accompany PHYS 1111/PHYS 1112/PHYS 1312. Experiments in mechanics and heat are chosen to illustrate the experimental foundations of physics presented in the lecture courses.

This course targets students who have learned the most basic knowledge in physics in high school. Students with more advanced physics background should consider taking PHYS 1314. This course employs a calculus‐based approach. Key topics include Coulomb’s law, electric field and potential, Gauss’ law, capacitance, circuits, magnetic force and field, Ampere’s law, electromagnetic induction, AC circuit, Maxwell’s equations, electromagnetic waves, geometric optics, interference and diffraction.

A laboratory course to accompany PHYS 1114/1314. Experiments in static and current electricity and magnetism, and optics are chosen to illustrate the experimental foundations of physics presented in the lecture courses.

This course is a more in-depth version of PHYS 1112. It is intended to provide a solid foundation to students who wish to take more advanced physics courses in the future. Key topics include motions and Newton’s Laws, work and energy, conservation of energy and momentum, rotation, rigid body, simple harmonic and damped oscillations, forced oscillations, standing waves and sound waves, kinetic theory and the laws of thermodynamics. Students without the prerequisite may seek instructor’s approval for enrolling in the course. For students under the 4-year degree only.

This course is a more in-depth version of PHYS 1114. It is intended to provide a solid foundation to students who wish to take more advanced physics courses in the future. Key topics include Coulomb’s law, electric field and potential, Gauss’ law, capacitance, circuits, magnetic force and field, Ampere’s law, electromagnetic induction, AC circuit, Maxwell’s equations, electromagnetic waves, geometric optics, interference and diffraction. Students without the prerequisite may seek instructor’s approval for enrolling in the course. For students under the 4-year degree only.

An introduction to the exciting discoveries of black holes and the early universe, and through them some basic theories in general relativity, field theory, thermodynamics and cosmology.

Introduction to relativity; introduction to quantum theory: particle-wave duality and Schrodinger equation; atoms, molecules; and statistical physics: Maxwell, Bose and Fermi distributions.

Laboratory accompanying PHYS 2022.

Appropriate seminars and small group tutorials are scheduled to expose students to a variety of issues in science and society, and to enhance students' communication with faculties and among themselves. For Physics students in their second year of study under the four-year degree only. Graded P or F.

This course covers special topics selected by the instructor on the basis of individual student's request. For students in the second year of study under the four-year degree only. Instructor's approval is required for enrollment in the course. May be repeated for credits.

This course will cover most of the mathematical tools required for studying classical mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics. Key topics include complex numbers, vector analysis, Fourier series and transform, ordinary differential equations and series solutions.

Force and motion; work and kinetic energy; conservation of energy and linear momentum; rigid body and angular momentum; oscillations and waves; temperature, kinetic theory and thermodynamics.

Ideal gas and kinetic theory, heat, entropy, thermodynamics; Coulomb's law, electric fields, Gauss's, electric potential, capacitance, magnetic field, Lorentz force, Ampere's Faraday's and Lenz's laws.

Physical applications of analytic and numerical methods are studied in such topics as differential equations, Fourier series, Laplace transforms, matrices and vectors.

Newtonian mechanics, including rigid bodies; oscillating systems; gravitation and planetary motion; Lagrange equations; Hamilton's equations; normal modes and small oscillations.

A physics core course. Electrostatics: electric charge and fields, multipoles, Laplace equation, dielectrics; magnetostatics: currents, magnetic fields and vector potential, magnetic materials; Maxwell's equations.

Electrodynamics: applications of Maxwell's equations, propagation in various media, radiation, relativistic electrodynamics, transmission lines and wave guides.

Basic properties of Schrodinger equation, bound and scattering states in simple one-dimensional potentials, formulation of quantum mechanics in terms of Hilbert space and Dirac bracket notation, Schrodinger equation in three-dimensions, angular momentum, hydrogen atom wavefunction, systems of identical particles, spin and statistics, multi-electron atoms and the periodic table.

This course is a more in-depth version of PHYS 3036 Elementary Quantum Mechanics I. Topics include: classical mechanics, Schrodinger equation and simple examples in one-dimension, formulation of quantum mechanics in terms of Hilbert space and Dirac bracket notation, real and momentum space representations, Heisenberg and Schrodinger pictures, Schrodinger equation in three-dimensions, angular momentum, hydrogen atom wavefunction, systems of identical particles, the periodic table.

Ray tracing, matrix optics, wave optics, superposition of waves and interference, coherence, Fresnel and Fraunhofer diffraction, polarisation, Fourier optics, holography, phase and group velocity, material dispersion, propagation of Gaussian beams.

An integrated study of the nature and behavior of metals, ceramics and polymers. Topics include crystal structures, phase diagrams, microstructures and microscopy, defects, phases and interfaces in materials systems, phase transformations, deformation, annealing and failure of materials.

Phase transitions and phase diagrams, crystal growth, vacuum physics and technology, thin film preparation by physical vapor deposition, sputtering and sol-gel. Chemical processing such as chemical vapor deposition, oxidation, wet and plasma etching. Lithography and patterning techniques.

This course is a more in-depth version of PHYS 3033. Key topics include: (i) Electrostatics: electric charge and fields, Coulomb’s law, Gauss’ Law, multipoles, Laplace equation; (ii) Magnetostatics: currents, magnetic fields and vector potential, Biot-Savart Law, Faraday’s law, magnetic materials; (iii) Maxwell’s equations; and (iv) Interaction of electromagnetic fields with matter, polarization and magnetization, bound charges and bound currents, relative permittivity and permeability, ferromagnets.

Stellar radiation, stellar spectrum, binary stars, interiors of stars, star formation, post-main-sequence stellar evolution, stellar remnants.

This course covers special topics selected by the instructor on the basis of individual student's request. For students in their third year of study under the four-year degree only. The instructor's approval is required for taking this course. May be repeated for credits.

This course provides an introduction to basic numerical and symbolic computation. Topics include methods of interpolation and extrapolation, approximation methods of root finding, numerical integration and solving ordinary differential equations, symbolic algebra and calculus. Students need to write computer codes in laboratory sessions and write lab reports to describe their results.

This course will cover the techniques of experimental physics in the area of electronics. Students will complete experiments involving ac circuits and input/output impedance, diodes and transistors, operational amplifiers, frequency analysis and digital electronics.

This course will cover the techniques of experimental physics in the area of optics. Students will complete experiments involving basic optical systems, interferometry, waveguides and optical fibers, optical spectroscopy, semiconductor laser diodes, microwave reflection, scattering and diffraction.

Introduction to the experimental techniques of physics and the statistical analysis of data through lectures and a variety of experiments. Students may select one of the two laboratory sequences: electronics and optics.

Laws of thermodynamics, entropy, thermodynamic relations, free energy; elementary statistical mechanics: Maxwell-Boltzmann, Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac statistics; elementary transport theory; applications to physical systems.

This course is mainly on approximation methods in quantum mechanics. Topics include stationary state perturbation theory, variational principle, WKB method, time-dependent perturbation theory, emission and absorption of radiation, adiabatic approximation and geometric phase, scattering theory.

An introduction to modern solid state physics, including lattice structure, lattice vibrations, thermal properties, electron theory of metals and semiconductors, magnetic properties, and superconductivity.

Propagation of Gaussian beams, optical cavity and cavity modes, blackbody radiation and stimulated emission, laser principles and rate equations, examples of solid state, liquid, gas and semiconductor lasers, laser Q-switching and mode-locking, detection of optical radiation.

Light spectrum and telescope, the Sun, gravitation and relativity, stellar masses and evolution, interstellar medium, star formation, galaxies, clusters of galaxies, active galaxies and quasars, cosmology, solar system.

In this course, a systematic introduction to particle physics will be provided, with the topics mainly covering: the tool of Feynman diagrams, the Standard Model in particle physics (the zoo of fundamental particles, electroweak unified theory, and Higgs mechanism), particle physics at colliders (particularly at the Large Hadron Collider), and the interplay between particle physics and cosmology. It aims at enabling students to catch up the progress in particle physics in a timely way, and appreciate the beauty of fundamental rules in nature.

Real and reciprocal lattice, atomic structure of crystalline and amorphous solids, dislocations and other crystal defects, determination of structure and defects by x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy.

Probability theory, entropy in information theory, relative entropy and mutual information, Second Law of thermodynamics, instantaneous code and block code, data compression: Huffman code, portfolio management. Introduction to Mathematical Finance: Options and Binomial Tree.

This course will introduce the concepts and techniques of optimization and modeling in the management of systems and business applications with many variables and constraints. We will discuss linear programming, network flow models, project management, nonlinear programming, queuing analysis, computer solutions, and the statistical physics of optimization in complex systems.

This course introduces the use of computer to solve problems and to simulate physical phenomena. It covers the numerical solution of integration, ordinary differential equations, linear and non-linear equations, Fourier transforms, stochastic processes, Monte Carlo methods, and partial differential equations. Visualization tools will be used to interpret results of the calculations.

In this course, a systematic introduction to modern cosmology will be provided, with the topics including: Robertson-Walker metric and Friedmann equation, spacetime evolution of the Universe, thermal history of the Universe, Big-Bang nucleosynthesis, cosmic microwave background, dark matter and dark energy, inflation. It aims at enabling students to catch up with the progress in cosmology in a timely way, and appreciate the beauty of the science on the Universe.

Appropriate seminars and small group tutorials are scheduled to expose students to a variety of issues in science and society, and to enhance students' communication with faculties and among themselves. For Physics students in their fourth year of study under the four-year degree only. Graded P or F.

This course covers special topics selected by the instructor on the basis of individual student's request. For students in their fourth year of study under the four-year degree only. The instructor's approval is required for taking this course.

Under the supervision of a faculty member, students will perform a capstone project based on a selection of advanced modern physics experiments. The students are expected to perform an independent literature search on the historical background, significance and impact of the experiments. Upon completion of the projects, students are required to submit a project report that complies with contemporary scientific standards and perform an oral presentation. For PHYS students under the four-year degree only.

Under the supervision of a faculty member, students will complete an independent capstone research project. The course is extended over two regular terms. By the end of the course, students need to summarize their results in the form of a short thesis and perform oral presentation. For PHYS students under the four-year degree only. Enrollment in the course requires approval by course instructors and supervisors. May be graded PP.

Advanced experiments selected from all areas of physics; independent work emphasized. Formal reports and oral presentations are required.

Undergraduate research conducted under the supervision of a faculty member. A written report is required and one of the following activities is expected: identify a non-textbook problem and suggest approaches to its solution, solve a non-textbook problem, or acquire a specific research skill. Course duration is one-year. The instructor's approval is required for taking this course.