Postgraduate Courses
PHYS
Physics
Undergraduate courses marked with [BLD] or [SPO] may be offered in the mode of blended learning or self-paced online delivery respectively, subject to different offerings. Students should check the delivery mode of the class section before registration.
- PHYS 5110Mathematical Methods in Physics[4-0-0:4]DescriptionReview of vector analysis; complex variable theory, Cauchy-Rieman conditions, complex Taylor and Laurent series, Cauchy integral formula and residue techniques, conformal mapping; Fourier series; Fourier and Laplace transforms; ordinary differential equations, Bessel functions; partial differential equations, wave and diffusion equations, Laplace, Helmholtz and Poisson's equations, transform techniques, Green's functions; integral equations, Fredholm equations, kernals; Rieman sheets, method of steepest descent; tensors, contravariant and covariant representations; group theory, matrix representations.
- PHYS 5120Computational Energy Materials and Electronic Structure Simulations[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)PHYS 6810GCo-list withNANO 5130Exclusion(s)NANO 5130BackgroundStudents should have basic knowledge of quantum mechanics.DescriptionThis course will introduce atomistic computational methods to model, understand, and predict the properties and behavior of real materials including solids, liquids, and nanostructures. Their applications to sustainable energy will be discussed. Specific topics include: density-functional theory (DFT), Kohn-Sham equations, local and semi-local density approximations and hybrid functionals, basis sets, pseudopotentials; Hartree-Fock method; ab initio molecular dynamics with interatomic interactions derived on the fly from DFT, Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics; Monte-Carlo sampling; computational spectroscopy from first principles, IR and Raman. Students will learn how to use free open-source packages to do materials simulations on a Linux computer cluster. Students should have basic knowledge of quantum mechanics. The instructor's approval is required for taking this course.
- PHYS 5170Solid State Physics I[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)PHYS 6810ABackgroundStudents should have good understanding in undergraduate level quantum mechanics before taking this course.DescriptionThis is an introductory course on postgraduate level solid state physics. The topics covered include: electronic band structures of solids, phonons, electron dynamics in crystals, electron interactions in solids, linear response theory, electronic transitions and optical properties of solids, electron phonon interactions, integer quantum Hall effects, superconductivity and magnetism.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Derive the electronic band structures of materials with simple lattices
- 2.Calculate phonon band structures
- 3.Calculate the energy of electronic systems using Hatree-Fock approximations
- 4.Formulate the electron responses to external electric and magnetic fields
- 5.Derive the expression of the conductance of Quantum Hall Systems
- 6.Calculate physical properties of superconductors and magnets
- PHYS 5200Electro and Magneto Statics[4-0-0:4]DescriptionCoulomb and Gauss's law, Poisson and Laplace Equations, Green's functions, methods of images, solution of boundary value problems, special functions expansions, electrostatics of dielectrics, local fields, magnetostatics, conservation laws and Maxwell equations.
- PHYS 5210Electromagnetic Waves, Maxwell Equations, and Relativity[4-0-0:4]DescriptionWave solutions of the Maxwell equations, electromagnetic wave propagation, scattering, and diffraction; Fourier optics; dielectric constant of metals and dielectrics and its analytic properties; guided waves; radiation by accelerating charges; special relativity and the transformation of Maxwell equations; radiation by moving charges.
- PHYS 5260Advanced Quantum Mechanics[4-0-0:4]DescriptionDiscussion of various applications of quantum mechanics, such as collision theory, theory of spectra of atoms and molecules, theory of solids, second quantization, emission of radiation, relativistic quantum mechanics.
- PHYS 5280Modern AMO (Atomic Molecular Optical) Physics with Atoms and Photons[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)PHYS 6810FDescriptionIntroduction to modern atomic physics with ultracold atoms and photons. The basic theoretical tools for atom optics and quantum optics will be introduced. Recent research works will also be covered including many-body states in optical lattices and synthetic topological states in ultracold atoms.
- PHYS 5310Statistical Mechanics I[3-0-0:3]Co-list withNANO 5320Exclusion(s)NANO 5320DescriptionLaws and applications of thermodynamics, kinetic theory, transport phenomena, classical statistical mechanics, canonical and grand canonical ensemble, quantum statistical mechanics, Fermi and Bose systems, non-equilibrium statistical mechanics.
- PHYS 5340Introduction to Quantum Many-body Theory[4-0-0:4]DescriptionIntroduction to theoretical methods for quantum many-body systems. Perturbative methods, like Green's functions and diagrammatics, will be introduced. Topics in response theory and quantum magnetism will be covered. More modern, entanglement-based approaches, like tensor networks, will also be discussed.
- PHYS 5370Solid State Physics II[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)PHYS 6810BBackgroundStudents should have good understanding in undergraduate level quantum mechanics and undergraduate level solid state physics before taking this course.DescriptionThis is a second course on postgraduate level solid state physics. The thermal, electronic, magnetic and optical properties of solid will be studied. Semiconductor devices and electronics will be discussed. The theory of conventional and unconventional superconductors will be introduced. Special topics related to current research in solid state physics will be covered. These special topics include graphene, topological insulators, transition metal dichalcogenides and topological superconductors.
- PHYS 5520Introduction to Quantum Field Theory[4-0-0:4]Previous Course Code(s)PHYS 6810DExclusion(s)PHYS 6810KBackgroundUndergraduate level classical mechanics, electrodynamics and quantum mechanics.DescriptionThis is an introductory course on quantum field theory (QFT). The covered topics mainly include field quantization, interacting theory, quantum electrodynamics, renormalization and renormalization group.
- PHYS 5530Introduction to General Relativity[4-0-0:4]Previous Course Code(s)PHYS 6810EBackgroundUndergraduate-level classical mechanics, electrodynamics and mathematicsDescriptionThis is an introductory course on general relativity (GR). The covered topics mainly include Einstein field equation and its application in black hole physics, gravitational waves astronomy and Friedman cosmology.
- PHYS 5810Modern Semiconductor Physics[3-0-0:3]Co-list withNANO 5200Exclusion(s)NANO 5200BackgroundPHYS 4052 or equivalentDescriptionDetailed explanations of the electronic, vibrational, transport, and optical properties of semiconductors based on quantum mechanics. Emphasis on nanostructured heterostructures, quantum size and low-dimensional effects, and application to modern electronics and opto-electronics.
- PHYS 5820Diffraction and Imaging Techniques in Materials Science[3-1-0:3]Co-list withNANO 5250Exclusion(s)NANO 5250DescriptionFundamental crystallography; crystalline structure and defects; X-ray and electron diffractions; imaging contrast mechanisms; structure determination; analytical electron microscopy. The instructor's approval is required for taking this course.
- PHYS 6000Physics Seminar[0-1-0:1]DescriptionSeminar topics presented by students, faculty and guest speakers. The seminars can be in the form of mini-workshops or activities organized by the Department. Graded PP, P or F.
- PHYS 6100Individual Study in Physics[1 credit]DescriptionThis course covers in-depth study on topics selected by the instructor on the basis of individual postgraduate student's request. The instructor's approval is required for taking this course.
- PHYS 6770Professional Development in Science (Physics)[0-2-0:2]DescriptionThis two-credit course aims at providing research postgraduate students basic training in ethics, teaching skills, research management, career development, and related professional skills. This course lasts for one year, and is composed of two parts, each consisting of a number of mini-workshops. Part 1 of the course is coordinated by the School; and Part 2 consists of some department-specific workshops which are coordinated by the department. Graded PP, P or F.
- PHYS 6771Professional Development in Physics[0-1-0:1]Exclusion(s)PHYS 6000, PHYS 6770DescriptionThis one-credit course aims at providing physics research postgraduate students discipline-specific trainings such as ethics, teaching skills, research management, career development, entrepreneurship and other professional skills. Graded PP, P or F.
- PHYS 6810Special Topics[1-4 credit(s)]DescriptionOfferings are announced each term. Typical topics are group theory, superfluids, stellar evolution, plasma physics, low-temperature physics, X-ray spectroscopy and diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance, non-linear dynamics, collider physics.
- PHYS 6820Special Topics II[1-4 credit(s)]DescriptionOfferings are announced each term. Typical topics include wave scattering and mesoscopic phenomenon. Graded P or F.
- PHYS 6990MPhil Thesis ResearchDescriptionMaster's thesis research supervised by a faculty member. A successful defense of the thesis leads to the grade Pass. No course credit is assigned.
- PHYS 7990Doctoral Thesis ResearchDescriptionOriginal and independent doctoral thesis research. A successful defense of the thesis leads to the grade Pass. No course credit is assigned.
