Special Physics program
Basic information
Program Title: Sc. Special Physics
Program Nature: Singular
Department Offering Program: Physics Department
Coordinator: Iman Abed El-moneim Mahdy
Vision and Mission
Vision of the physics department
The mission of the physics department of faculty of science in Al-Azhar University is to become a nationally and internationally recognized research and educational unit. The department is committed to ensuring the offering of high quality programs, capable of producing competitive and successful graduates; supporting a vibrant research atmosphere that nurtures creativity and productivity and increasing the prestige and visibility of its programs and research at the regional, national and international levels
Mission of the physics department
Maintain a high level of research and teaching excellence that can ensure a rigorous training of our majors in theoretical and experimental physics and at the same time, to provide accessibility to our courses and programs for the diverse society
Professional information
General Program aims
Physics is one of the most fundamental of the sciences: not only is it a fruitful research discipline in its own right, but its ideas and techniques underpin developments in many other areas of science, technology. It is characterised by the use of a few basic principles, quantities and laws to describe, understand and predict the behaviour of relatively complex systems, both natural and artificial. The key features of physics are the modelling of natural phenomena by means of mathematical equations (theory) and the making of experimental or observational measurements which both test existing theories and inspire new ones (experiment).
The interplay of theory and experiment drives the development of the field, and requires a broad range of skills including mathematical modelling, problem solving, experiment design and data analysis, teamwork and communication. Thus, in addition to the intrinsic interest of the subject, a degree in Physics provides a wide range of analytical, problem solving and communications skills, which make Physics graduates highly employable across a broad spectrum of fields in industry, research and education.
The program of study offered by the Department of Physics has the following general aims
- Provide teaching at undergraduate levels that is stimulating, useful, and enjoyable to students from a wide variety of educational backgrounds.
- Produce graduates have practical, analytical, and problem-solving skills, which make them qualified for suitable jobs in the field of industry, teaching, research, professions and public service.
- Encourage, develop our students for self-learning, and support their development of appropriate interpersonal and transferable skills.
- Sustain a culture of teaching and research that is able to foster the free pursuit of knowledge and the rigorous, quantitative analysis of information.
- Produce graduates understand the most of fundamental laws and principles of physics, along with their application to a variety of fields.
- Prepare students for a professional career either within or outside the discipline.
- Encourage those students with innovative ideas to promote and exploit them to the mutual benefit of themselves, the University, and future employers.
- Prepare students for a research degree or research-based career in physics or related fields.
Intended Learning out comes(ILOS)
Knowledge and understanding
In addition to the general knowledge acquired by the basic sciences graduates, the physics graduates must able to
A1. Define the basis and principles of static and dynamic properties of fluids. Concept of motion, classical mechanics and forces
A2. Define the principles and basis of electricity, electric filed electric potential, direct and alternating current, capacitance & resistance, electrical and thermal properties of matter, concept of heat transfer and thermal expansion
A3. Describe the concept of work function, energy and energy conversion
A4. Explain the principles of thermodynamics and kinetic theory of gases, heat engine, and entropy
A5. Explain the principles of linear momentum, collisions, angular momentum and torque, statics and equilibrium of rigid bodies
A6. Discuss the concept of oscillatory motion “vibrations, wave motion and propagation in matter”, nature of light and lows of geometric optics
A7. Discuss the concept and lows of magnetism; source of magnetic fields, inductance and electromagnetic waves. Principles of electromagnetism, electrodynamics and its applications
A8. Explain models of classical and modern physics, special theory of relativity. Concept of plasma physics and x-ray production
A9. Illustrate the basis and principles of radiations, Laser and its applications
A10. Illustrate the basis of statistical physics and classical mechanics
A11. Discuss the concept and theories of quantum physics and quantum mechanics
A12. Mention atomic physics, molecules and properties of solids
A13. Review the concept of short-range and long-range order, the nature of crystalline & amorphous materials, lattice defects and color centers. Principles of specific heat of solids and lattice vibrations
A14. Describe the theoretical and principle aspects of physics
A15. Discuss the nuclear structure, nuclear physics and its applications, reactors, and other related branches
A16. Explain nuclear models, fission and fusion
A17. Review the basic nuclear structure and radioactive decays
A18. Discuss the concept and laws of radioactive decays and nuclear energy sources
A19. Review the concept and basis of semiconductors physics and its applications, electronics “diodes, transistors and integrated circuits”. Application and advanced physical techniques. Principals and basis of amplifiers, rectifiers, and photoelectric devices
A20. Discuss the band structure of solids, luminescence, magnetic, thermal, optical and electrical properties of solids
A21. Explain mathematical models used in the interpretation and analysis of the physical problems. Differentiation, integration, Algebra, geometry and differential equations
A22. Define computer science and principals of programming
A23. Familiar with basic laboratory experimental error, equipment, and techniques, including knowledge of safe working practices. The significance of this aspect of experimental work in drawing conclusions based on empirical data
A24. Illustrate basic of laboratory equipment and techniques, including knowledge of safe working practices
A25. Define knowledge of key developments, technologies, and background literature in the subject area of their fourth year enterprise research project
A26. Describe the idea of wave packet and the uncertainty relations, observables and operators, the time independent Schrodinger equation and its applications
A27. Discuss the concept and theories of quantum mechanics, the angular momenta, the symmetry properties of identical particles, the perturbation theory and the scattering theory
A28. Review the concept of relativistic quantum mechanics, the Klein-Gordon equation and the Dirac equation
A29. Identify specific and general vocabulary and sentence composition for improving the reading skills
A30. Define the Qur’an, Related Sciences and Islamic characteristics
A31. أن يكون الطالب قادرا على تعريف علوم القرآن و العلوم الاسلامية ذات الصلة و خصائصها وعلاقتها بالبيئة المحيطة.
B. (Intellectual Skills (IT
In addition to the general skills acquired by Basic Sciences graduates, the physicist must be able to
B1. Select the appropriate physical principles to create and analyze system components
B2. Select optimum solutions for physical problems based on analytical thinking
B3. Solve problems in physics by identifying the appropriate physical principles, applying and developing mathematical models for the physical systems and using appropriate mathematical techniques to obtain a solution
B4. Consider a mathematical description of a physical system to investigate its behaviour and properties
B5. Consider the experimental observation or theoretical investigation of physical problems, including the ability to analyze the results qualitatively and quantitatively to draw valid conclusion
B6. Consider connection between scientific ideas and experimental results clearly, concisely and effectively, both orally and in writing
B7. Manage their own learning, including time management skills and the ability to learn effectively using a wide variety of sources (lectures, textbooks, websites, etc
B8. Summaries the results of research-level investigations both orally and in writing
B9. Select some of programming languages for solving physical problems
B10. Analyze an independent research study about a critical physical problem and demonstrate a report about this problem
B11. Interpret an Islamic and common scientific terminology in English language
B12. أن يكون الطالب قادرا على إستنباط الأدلة الشرعية
C. Professional and practical Skills
In addition to the general skills acquired by Basic Sciences graduates, the physicist must be able to
C1. Apply mathematical tools and techniques to analyze and interpret experimental results
C2. Use the national standards for laboratory equipment that are essential for practical research work
C3. Prepare the theoretical and experimental results in understandable forms such as tables and graphs
C4. Use modern scientific techniques
C5. Collect & recording data, analyze the available data according to the laboratory plans
C6. Execute experiments using a variety of quantitative methods, and draw valid conclusions
C7. Design a program for solving the physical problems mathematically
C8. Use the modern technology in the field of science and its applications
C9. Use the modern technology for education in the recruitment of teaching and learning processes
C10. Use of advanced specialized equipment and/or computational techniques relevant to research areas at the forefront of the discipline
C11. Use of standard laboratory equipment and the ability to master, with appropriate training, new experimental techniques or specialized equipment
D. General and Transferable Skills
By the end of the program the graduates must be able to
D1. Use information and communication technology effectively
D2. Identify roles and responsibilities, and their performing manner
D3. Think independently, set tasks, and solve problems on scientific basis
D4. Work as a teamwork effectively in the practical studies, manage time, collaborate and communicate with others positively
D5. Consider community-linked problems, ethics, and traditions
D.6 Acquire self- and long life learning
D7. Apply scientific models, systems, and tools effectively
D8. Deal with scientific patents considering property right
D9. Exhibit the sense of beauty and neatness
D10. Gain the skills to use modern techniques in the computer
D11. Use digital libraries
D12. Use self-learning, through search for information sources and training, writing a research report on one of the problems of modern science
D13. Use technology of educational and learning resources, and provide the professional ethics and rules of copyright and intellectual property
D14. Have positive skills towards the environment and society
D15. Communicate effectively using the English language
D16. Use of IT skills in data analysis and/or numerical simulation or solution of physical or mathematical systems, including the ability to make use of appropriate software packages. Use of IT skills in communication, including word processing and presentation software packages
Curriculum Structure and Contents
Program Duration: Four Years, in two semesters each
Program Courses: Implementing Regulations for the faculty of science, Al-Azhar university, final edition 2002
Program Structure
