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PHYSICS

PHYSICS AS A MAJOR:
Major combinations:
NQF Level: 5: PHY1503, PHY1505, PHY1506
NQF Level: 6: Four modules from the following list: PHY1604, PHY2601, PHY2602, PHY2606, PHY2604
NQF Level: 7: Five modules from the following list: PHY3702, PHY3703, PHY3706, PHY3707, PHY3708, PHY3709

Nuclear Physics - PHY4807
Honours Year module NQF level: 8 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Co-requisite: PHY4801
Purpose: Nuclear forces: the laws of invariance. Boson field theories and phenomenological potentials. Few-nucleon systems. The theory of nuclear structure: nuclear systematics. Scattering. Nucleon-nucleon scattering. Nuclear properties. Nuclear models. Nuclear decay.
Electricity and Magnetism (Physics) - PHY2602
Under Graduate Degree Year module NQF level: 6 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Pre-requisite: PHY1506, MAT1503 & MAT1512
Purpose: The electric field, divergence and curl of E, electric potential, work and energy in conductors, electric fields in matter, magnetostatics, the Lorentz force law, the Biot-Savart law, divergence and curl of B, magnetic vector potential, magnetic fields in matter, electromotive force, electromagnetic induction, Maxwell's equations
Physics Practical Work II - PHY2604
Under Graduate Degree Year module NQF level: 6 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Pre-requisite: PHY1506, MAT1503 and MAT1512 Co-requisite: PHY2601, PHY2602 & PHY2606
Purpose: Laboratory experimental work and calculations on: a driven harmonic oscillator, alternating current circuits, the Hall effect and magnetic fields of a solenoid and Helmholtz coils, introduction to statistics, x-rays, black-body radiation, radioactive isotopes, gamma ray absorption, viscous fluid flow.
Waves (Physics) - PHY2606
Under Graduate Degree Year module NQF level: 6 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Pre-requisite: PHY1503, PHY1505, PHY1506, MAT1503 & MAT1512
Purpose: Simple harmonic motion, damped simple harmonic motion, the forced oscillator, coupled oscillations, transverse wave motion, Fourier methods, interference and diffraction
Physics IA (Theory) - FIC1501
Diploma Year module NQF level: 5 Credits: 8
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: To assist learners in achieving a broad knowledge suitable to apply in analyzing and interpreting the data which may be used for the manufacturing of chemical substances using basic laws of Physics in Mechanics, Electrodynamics, Optics, and Chemistry.
Quantum Physics - PHY3702
Under Graduate Degree Year module NQF level: 7 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Pre-requisite: PHY1604, PHY2601 & PHY2602
Purpose: Origins of quantum physics, Mathematical tools of quantum mechanics, Postulates of quantum mechanics, One-dimensional problems, Angular momentum, Identical particles, Three-dimensional problems.
Physics IB (Theory) - FIC1502
Diploma Year module NQF level: 5 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: This module is primarily vocational, or industry oriented, characterised by the knowledge emphasis and general principles in physics and its application in the discipline of Electrical Engineering and technology transfer. This module will specifically introduce the student to the following topics: One dimension linear motion, two-dimensional linear motion; Uniform circular motion; Rotational kinematics; Newton's laws in motion; Work and energy; Impulse and momentum; Elasticity; Hydrostatics; Buoyancy; Dynamic fluids; Heat; Electric forces and the electric fields; Direct current circuits; Laws of reflections and mirrors, Lenses, Refraction of light, The ideal gas law, The laws of thermodynamics, Waves, Introduction to nuclear physics. The specific purpose of this module would be to introduce the student to knowledge and understanding of each scientific concept, the specific dynamics as involved with each concept, to understand the interaction of various scientific concepts in typical systems; and then the artificial utilisation of a scientific concepts in order to generate a product or system that can be useful for the human mankind.
Statistical and Thermal Physics - PHY3703
Under Graduate Degree Year module NQF level: 7 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Pre-requisite: PHY2606 Co-requisite: PHY3702
Purpose: Introduction to statistical methods, Statistical description of systems of particles, Irreversibility and the attainment of equilibrium, Interaction between macroscopic systems, Macroscopic parameters and their measurement, Simple applications of macroscopic thermodynamics, Basic methods and results of statistical mechanics, Simple applications of statistical mechanics, Equilibrium between phases or chemical species.
Physics I (Practical) - FIC1PRA
Diploma Year module NQF level: 5 Credits: 4
Module presented in English
Co-requisite: FIC181C or FIC1501 or FIC1502
Purpose: This is the practical work of module FIC181C. It has to be taken simultaneously with FIC181C or after FIC181C has been passed. Students must attend a compulsory laboratory session of between 1-3 days at a University in South Africa. Information will be announced in the tutorial letter at a later point in time.
Physics Practical Work III - PHY3706
Under Graduate Degree Year module NQF level: 7 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Pre-requisite: PHY2604
Purpose: Pendulum and error analysis, Gamma-ray spectroscopy, Rutherford backscattering, X-ray spectroscopy, Microwave experiment, Millikan oil drop experiment, Frank-Hertz experiment, Letcher wires, Atomic spectra.
Elementary Mechanics - PHY1501
Under Graduate Degree,Diploma Year module NQF level: 5 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Co-requisite: AMC1PRA or MCA1PRA
Purpose: One dimension linear motion, two-dimensional linear motion; Uniform circular motion; Rotational kinematics; Newton's laws in motion; Work and energy; Impulse and momentum; Elasticity; Hydrostatics; Buoyancy; Dynamic fluids; Sectional properties; stress and strain; analysis of statically determinate beams; analysis of statically determinate pin-pointed frames; computer applications where applicable.
Solid State Physics - PHY3707
Under Graduate Degree Year module NQF level: 7 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Pre-requisite: PHY2606 Co-requisite: PHY3702
Purpose: Crystalline state, Atomic cohesion and crystal binding, Reciprocal lattice, Determination of crystal structure, Lattice vibrations, Thermal properties of solids, Free electron theory of metals, Electron energy bands, Mobile electrons and Fermi surfaces.
Elementary Electromagnetism and Heat - PHY1502
Under Graduate Degree Year module NQF level: 5 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: The gas laws, thermal properties of matter, thermodynamics, electrical forces, fields and potentials, electric currents, magnetic fields and forces, induced fields and forces.
Atomic and Nuclear Physics - PHY3708
Under Graduate Degree Year module NQF level: 7 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Pre-requisite: PHY2606 Co-requisite: PHY3702
Purpose: Elements of quantum mechanics, Nuclear properties, The force between nucleons, Nuclear models, Radioactive decay, Alpha decay, Beta decay, Gamma decay, Nuclear reactions, Nuclear fission, Nuclear fusion, Nuclear spin and moments, Nuclear astrophysics.
Physics Practical Work I - PHY1503
Under Graduate Degree Year module NQF level: 5 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Co-requisite: PHY1505 & PHY1506
Purpose: Photoelectric effect, determination of charge to mass ratio, Ohm's law, simple pendulum, current balance, diffraction grating, electron diffraction, potentiometer and meter bridge, air track, circular motion, handling of experimental data.
Computational Modeling - PHY3709
Under Graduate Degree Year module NQF level: 7 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Co-requisite: APM2611
Purpose: Introduction, Numerical Programming Python. Common Algorithms in Computational Modeling High performance computing.
Mechanics (Physics) - PHY1505
Under Graduate Degree Year module NQF level: 5 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: Vectors, static equilibrium, uniformly accelerated motion Newton's laws, work and energy, momentum, motion in a circle, rotational motion, mechanical properties of matter, vibrations.
Physics Honours Research Methods and Project - HRPHY82
Honours Year module NQF level: 8 Credits: 36
Module presented in English
Co-requisite: PHY4806 & PHY4807
Purpose: of this module is to equip students with computational, problem solving, research and critical thinking skills as well as conceptual understanding of computational techniques and research methods in physics. These competencies are necessary for postgraduate research in physics or related fields involving the analysis of experimental resuts and the solution of theoretical problems. Qualifying students will be able to critically evaluate information on a given physics topic.
Electromagnetism and Heat (Fisika) - PHY1506
Under Graduate Degree Year module NQF level: 5 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: The gas laws, thermal properties of matter, thermodynamics, electrical forces, fields and potentials, electric currents, magnetic fields and forces, Induced fields and forces
Advanced Mathematical Methods - PHY4801
Honours Year module NQF level: 8 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: Vector analysis. Matrices. Tensor analysis. Series. Complex variables and analytic functions. Group representations. Differential equations. Integral equations. Integral transforms.
Introductory Physics A - PHY1507
Higher Certificate Year module NQF level: 5 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Co-requisite: PHY1508
Purpose: The purpose of this module is to train learners with some background of physical science in order to gain an insight into the basic principles and theories related to introductory Physics. Student credited with this module will have basic understanding and knowledge of concepts critical to introductory Physics
Electromagnetism - PHY4802
Honours Year module NQF level: 8 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Co-requisite: PHY4801
Purpose: Review of electro- and magnetostatics in a vacuum and in matter, charge and current distributions, energy in electric and magnetic fields, electromotive force, Faraday's law. Maxwell and wave equations, Laplace and Poisson equations, electromagnetic energy and momentum. Waves in material media, radiation from a localised oscillating source, Lienard-Wiechert potentials, relativistic covariance of electrodynamics, radiation reaction.
Introductory Physics B - PHY1508
Higher Certificate Year module NQF level: 5 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Co-requisite: PHY1507
Purpose: The purpose of this module is to train learners with some background of physical science in order to gain an insight into the basic principles and theories related to introductory Physics. Student credited with this module will have basic understanding and knowledge of concepts critical to introductory Physics
Quantum Mechanics I - PHY4803
Honours Year module NQF level: 8 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Co-requisite: PHY4801
Purpose: Wave packets and free particle motion. The wave equation. The wave function and the Schrodinger equation. The linear harmonic oscillator. Piecewise constant potentials in one dimension. The WKB pproximation. The principles of wave mechanics. Central forces and angular momentum. Piecewise constant potentials in three dimensions and the hydrogen atom. Scattering.
Physical Science Practicals - PHY1509
Year module NQF level: 5 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: To provide students with basic experimental techniques related to some of the theoretical concepts covered in Introductory Chemistry and Physics. To acquire skills and knowledge in experimental work, such as data collection and analysis, the use of computer techniques in analysis, interpretation of experimental data and writing a scientific report. Students accredited with this module will be able to apply the theoretical concepts of introductory Chemistry and Physics experimentally. To develop problem-solving skills required in Chemistry and Physics experiments. To work effectively in a small groups.
Quantum Mechanics II - PHY4804
Honours Year module NQF level: 8 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Co-requisite: PHY4803
Purpose: Spin. Dynamics of two-level systems. Linear vector spaces in quantum mechanics. Quantum dynamics. Rotations and other symmetry operations. Bound state perturbation theory. Time-dependent perturbation theory.
Modern Physics - PHY1604
Under Graduate Degree Year module NQF level: 6 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Co-requisite: PHY1505
Purpose: Description and properties of waves, properties of sound waves, wave properties of light, mirrors and lenses, special relativity, particle properties of light, wave properties of matter, quantum mechanics and atomic structure, nuclear physics, interaction of radiation with matter
Statistical Physics - PHY4805
Honours Year module NQF level: 8 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Co-requisite: PHY4801
Purpose: Quantum statistics of ideal gasses. Systems of interacting particles. Magnetism and low temperatures. Elementary kinetic theory of transport processes. Transport theory using the relaxation time approximation. Fluctuations.
Classical Mechanics - PHY2601
Year module NQF level: 6 Credits: 12
Module presented in Module presented online
Pre-requisite: PHY1505, MAT1503 & MAT1512
Purpose: Linear motion, energy and angular momentum, central conservative forces, rotating frames, potential theory, the two-body problem, many-body systems, rigid bodies, Lagrangian mechanics, Hamiltonian mechanics
Advanced Solid State Physics - PHY4806
Honours Year module NQF level: 8 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Co-requisite: PHY4801
Purpose: The purpose of this module is to introduce the honours level student to the Advanced Solid-State Physics, techniques and procedures used as well as expose to problem-solving skills required in solid state physics. In this module, these concepts and tools are introduced. One of the primary goals of this module is to assist to develop a conceptual understanding of solid state physics. This knowledge may be applied in the analysis of a selection of solid-state device application systems.