Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics

A series of lectures on physics history, physical concepts, different fields of physics, physics-related careers, and the applied physics program and facilities at the University of Sharjah.

Prerequisite: None

Motion in 1 and 2 dimensions, vectors, particle dynamics and Newton’s laws, work and energy, momentum and collisions, rotation of rigid bodies, fluid mechanics, heat and thermodynamics.

Pre/Co-requisite: 1440131

10 experiments in mechanics, covering the topics in the Physics 1 course.

Pre/Co-requisite: 1430110 or 1430115

Charge and matter; electric field; Gauss’ law; electric potential; capacitors and dielectrics; current and resistance; electromotive force and circuits; magnetic field and forces; Ampere’s law; Faraday’s law of induction; introduction to Maxwell’s equations.

Prerequisite: 1430110 or 1430115; Pre/Co-requisite: 1440131 or 1440133

10 experiments in electricity and magnetism, covering topics in the Physics II course.

Prerequisite: 1430116; Pre/Co-requisite: 1430117

The course discusses astronomy in general and space science in particular with emphasis on using physics to interpret the motions involved in the universe (planets, stars, and galaxies) as well as the tools and methods used to observe the sky.

Prerequisite: 1430110 or 1430115

This course treats Newtonian gravitation – how it manifests itself, how to calculate its effect on a variety of objects (artificial and natural satellites, planets, and stars), and how to utilize passive or active radar data to predict the future locations and velocities of such objects. It discusses Newton’s Laws of motion and law of gravitation as applied to system of particles; motion in the gravitation field with an especially full discussion of the two body problem; coordinates systems and time systems; data reduction; initial orbit determination; the differential correction of orbits, and perturbation theory. Astrophysical applications of classical gravitation to binary stars, clusters of stars, and clusters of galaxies.

Prerequisite: 1430110 or 1430115

Rotation of rigid bodies, Dynamics of Rotational motion, Equilibrium and Elasticity, Periodic Motion, Fluid Mechanics, Mechanical Waves, Sound and Hearing, Thermal properties of Matter, introduction to the First and 2nd law of thermodynamics.

Prerequisite: 1430117

5-8 selected experiments on the topics mentioned in the description of the theoretical part of physics 3.

Prerequisite: 1430118; Pre/Co-requisite: 1430211

Newtonian mechanics of particles and systems, conservation laws, oscillations, Lagrangian mechanics, central force, motion in non-inertial frames, and motion of rigid bodies.

Prerequisite: 1430110 or 1430115 and 1430251

Special theory of relativity and relativistic mechanics; photons; x-rays and the Compton effect; the Bohr model of hydrogen; de Broglie wavelength of matter and wave packet description of particles; Schrödinger wave equation in one dimension; energy quantization; the Spin and many-electron atoms; elements of nuclear physics and elementary particles. It includes 12 experiments covering the topics above.

Prerequisite: 1430117 and 1430118

Infinite series, complex numbers, linear equations, vectors and vector analysis, matrices and matrix transformation, partial differentiation, multiple integrals, and vector spaces.

Prerequisite: 1440131 or 1440133 and 1430110 or 1430115

Tensor analysis, Calculus of variations, special functions, integral transforms, series solutions of differential equations, Partial Differential equations, complex variable theory.

Prerequisite: 1430251

Entropy and the chemical potential, independent variables and state functions, basic energy concepts first and second laws of thermodynamics; ideal and real gases; thermodynamic properties; introductory cycle analysis.

Prerequisite: 1430110 or 1430115

Energy and matter (the relation between them) temperature and heat, charge and electric field, electrical potential, capacitors and dielectrics, current and resistance, electromotive force and circuits, magnetism and electromagnetism, electromagnetic induction, thermoionic emission, x-ray tube, electromagnetic radiation, electromagnetic spectrum, x-ray and gamma ray interaction with matter, radiation safety and dosimetry. Various experiments covering the topics mentioned in physics for medical imaging course such as surface tension, magnetic fields, geometrical optics, oscilloscope, capacitors, the speed of light, the photo-electric effect, thermal radiation, specific charge of the electron, spectrum of the Hydrogen atom, Frank-Hertz experiment, and nuclear radiation measurements.

Prerequisites: 1430107 or 1430111 and 1430112

The course covers physics topics related to dental applications. These include biomechanics of the jaw, light and optics, atomic structure, spectra, radioactivity, x-rays (generation, safety and protection), bioelectricity, lasers, imaging, waves and ultrasound.

Prerequisite: 1430107 or 1430111 and 1430110 or 1430115

Astrophysics is the application of physics to understand and interpret the art of observation and the measurement side of astronomy. This course will help tie astronomy to the different physics concepts that the student has experienced as a physics student. The main goal of this course is to help the students see that astrophysics is not just a high technology research branch, but as part of everyday living.

Prerequisite: 1430201

This course provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the whole of modern astrophysics beyond the solar system. It combines a critical account of observational methods (telescopes and instrumentation) with a clear description of the Universe, including stars, galaxies and cosmology. The course describes the techniques used by astronomers to observe the Universe: optical telescopes and instruments are discussed in detail, but observations at all wavelengths (from gamma rays to radio) are covered, and there are sections on cosmic rays, neutrinos and gravitation waves. After a short interlude describing the appearance of the sky at all wavelengths, the role of positional astronomy is highlighted. Student will learn here the quantitative aspects of the electromagnetic spectrum, atmospheric absorption, celestial coordinate systems, the motions of celestial objects, eclipses, calendar and time systems, telescopes in all wavebands, speckle interferometry and adaptive optics to overcome atmospheric jitter, astronomical detectors including CCDs, interferometry to improve angular resolution, radiation from point and extended sources, the determination of masses, temperatures, and distance of celestial objects. Moreover, a clear description is given to the contents of the Universe, including accounts of stellar evolution and cosmological models. In addition to all of this, the student will utilize methods for data reduction and statistical analysis.

Prerequisite: 1430201

Schrodinger’s equation; the correspondence principle; the uncertainty principle; 1- potentials; the harmonic oscillator; the hydrogen atom; elements of matrix mechanics; operators; angular momentum.

Prerequisites: 1430241 and 1430251

Orbital angular momentum, radial wave function in three dimensions, eigenstates, commutation relations of the spin angular momentum operator, interaction of spin with angular momentum, behavior of electrons in a magnetic field, perturbation theory, approximation methods for time-dependent problems.

Prerequisite: 140323

Electrostatics: Poisson’s equation; energy in the electric field; electrostatics of materials; Magnetostatics: Vector potential; energy in the magnetic field; magneto-statics of materials; Faraday’s law; inductance; solutions to the Laplace equation; Maxwell equations.

Prerequisite: 1430117 and 1430251

Electromagnetic induction, electromagnetic wave propagation, absorption and dispersion in conductors and dielectrics, EM wave transmission, potentials and fields, EM radiation.

Prerequisite: 1430331

Linear circuit theory; diodes and power supplies; transducers; analog integrated circuits: including filters and operational amplifiers; digital integrated circuits including: basic gates; combinational and sequential logic; storage elements; timing elements; arithmetic devices; digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital conversion. It includes 12 experiments covering the topics mentioned above.

Prerequisite: 1430118

Techniques in the use of personal computers in physics including: numerical modeling and integration, processing of large data sets; experience in the use of statistical techniques to analyze data and to model physical events; the use of mathematical packages. Laboratory: hands-on experience in the use of PCs in solving physics problems.

Prerequisite: Third Year Standing

Prerequisite: 1430241 and 141116

Physical optics with major emphasis on wave properties of light; boundary conditions; dispersion; optics of thin films; interference; diffraction; polarization; lasers; holography; Fourier analysis.

Prerequisite: 1430211

Equations of state; the first law of thermodynamics; heat engines and refrigerators; entropy and the second law of thermodynamics; phase equilibrium; kinetic theory; equipartition theory; transport phenomena; introduction to statistical mechanics including quantum statistics; applications to black body radiation, crystalline vibrations, magnetic ions in solids, electronic heat capacity of metals, phase transformations and chemical reactions.

Prerequisite: 1430211 and 1430241

The course will focus on the physical properties of the planets to infer their origin and evolution. It first takes a comparative look at our current knowledge of the planets, especially our Earth, moon, as well as Mercury, Venus, and Mars. We will examine here the composition and internal structure of the terrestrial planets and describe the major surface-shaping processes: planetary volcanism, impact cratering and wind processes. The atmosphere of the terrestrial planets is considered in detail, and this leads naturally to a discussion of the giant planets and why they are compositionally different from the planets of the inner Solar System. Description is given of the origin of the Solar System and the evolution of the planets, and places our own planet Earth within the context of other, more distant worlds. Minor bodies, including comets, asteroids and Kuiper Belt objects, are described, and the course concludes with an examination of theories for the origin of the Solar System and the evidence that has come from meteorites.

Prerequisite: 1430301

Introduction to the electronic theory of semiconductors, semiconductors in equilibrium, the ideal p-n junction, non-idealities, photo diodes, LEDs, semiconductor lasers, metal-semiconductor contacts, heterojunctions, JFET, MOST, small signal parameters, switching, and Thyristors.

Prerequisite: 1430333

Introduction to atomic structure and bonding in solids; reciprocal lattice and x-ray crystallography; phonons and crystal vibrations; phonons and thermal properties; classical free electron behavior of metals; energy bands in metals, semiconductors and insulators.

Pre-requisite: 1430323

Radiation from accelerated charges; characteristics and quality of X-rays; attenuation of photon beams in matter; interactions of photons with matter; interaction of charged particle beams with matter; concepts of dosimetry; radiation spectrometry.

Prerequisite: 1430241

Basic properties and structure of atomic nuclei, introduction to nuclear models, nuclear reactions, decay and stability, the four basic interaction - strong, electromagnetic, weak and gravitational, properties of - baryons, mesons, quarks, and leptons -, conservation laws, symmetries and broken symmetries, the standard model, experimental techniques.

Prerequisite: 1430323

Zeeman effect, UV spectroscopy, optical spectroscopy, ionizing radiation, crystal structure, gamma spectroscopy, elastic properties of materials, absolute radioactivity, thermal properties of materials, measuring blood speed by Doppler ultrasound, radiation Pollution.

Prerequisite: 1430333 and 1430241

Instrumentation methodology and sensors; fundamentals of pressure, temperature, level, and flow systems; pneumatic, mechanical, and electronic digital transducers; calibration and basic maintenance of industrial instrumentation equipment; training on the use of graphical software systems for developing high-performance scientific and engineering applications such as Lab VIEW or Test Point which acquire data and control devices via IEEE-488 (GPIB), RS-232/422 and modular (CAMAC) instruments as well as plug-in I/O boards.

Prerequisite: 1430333

Relationship of physics to current environmental problems; energy production, comparison of sources and byproducts; nature of and possible solutions to problems of various pollutions particularly matter in atmosphere; radiation physics; the climate; spectroscopy and instrumentation.

Prerequisite: 1430241

Advanced topics in elasticity, viscous flow, reaction kinetics, thermal properties, heat transfer, mechanical properties and optical properties of materials.

Prerequisite: 1430261 and 1430323

Sources of radiation, basic dosimetry and hazards of ionizing radiation. Techniques for detection, use and safe handling of radiation sources. Radiation safety codes laws and regulations.

Prerequisite: 1430241

Fundamentals of image formation, analysis of the characteristics of medical images, parametric description of image quality, application to transmission of radiotherapy.

Prerequisite: 1430241

Energy and environment; the economics of energy; traditional energy sources: fossil fuels; nuclear energy; sustainable and renewable energy; wind and solar power systems; hydroelectric and geothermal energy; energy storage and transportation.

Prerequisite: 1430241

Models of light, optical fiber basics, optical fiber manufacture, incoherent light sources, laser light, light detectors, detector circuit and modulation, fiber optics transmitters and receivers, fiber optics telecommunications, interferometric fiber optic sensors.

Prerequisite: 1430241 and 1430361

Basic radiation physics, track structure, radiation chemistry, DNA damage and repair, cell survival curves, the 4R’s of radiology, radiation therapy, radiation effects, radiation protection.

Prerequisite: 1430241

Fundamental concepts, earth and the atmosphere, warming the earth, daily and seasonal temperatures, atmospheric optics, atmospheric moisture, condensation, stability and cloud, precipitation, motion of the atmosphere, winds, air masses and fronts, cyclones, thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, air pollution, global climate and its changes, weather forecasting.

Prerequisite: 1430241 and 1430481

Electromagnetic radiation and its interaction with atoms and molecules; experimental methods; molecular symmetry; rotational, vibrational and electronic spectroscopy; photoelectron and related spectroscopies; lasers and laser spectroscopy.

Prerequisite: 1430361 and 1430323

Under the supervision of a faculty member, the student gets involved in a project and writes a report about a topic approved by the department, and defends it publicly.

Prerequisite: Department consent