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PHYSICS

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DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

Physics is the discipline which deals with matter and its relation to energy. It involves the study of physical and natural phenomena around us. Physics is the study of the entire universe. From studying stars far beyond earth, to explaining the shape of a water droplet. Physics degrees offer students the chance to explore and understand the fundamental building blocks of the universe in all its enormity and complexity, with a good range of career options after university.

Physics and applied Physics has applications in various disciplines including medical disciplines such as Medical Physics, Radiology as well as Engineering disciplines such as Aerospace Engineering, Automobile Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, and others.

Physics is the bedrock of engineering discipline and one of the pioneer undergraduate programmes introduced by AFIT in 2019. The Department was established under the Faculty of Science. On successful completion of the programme and fulfillment of other University requirements, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics (B.Sc.) is awarded. The programme is enriched with topics such as Mechanics, Geometrical Optics, Electricity and Magnetism, Thermodynamics, Atomic Physics, Quantum Mechanics, and Waves.

VISION OF THE DEPARTMENT

The Department of Physics at the Air Force Institute of Technology shall be known nationally and internationally as a centre of excellence in training and producing quality Physics graduates that can discover, disseminate, and apply the knowledge of Physics for human well-being and the development of the society and be renowned for its quality teaching, research, professional and community services.

MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT

The department shall:

provide high quality education to local and international students with high intellectual standing in both theoretical and experimental physics with emphasis on ‘problem-solving learning approach’;
provide solid background for students with career objectives in Pure Physics and Applied Physics;
provide well trained Physicist/Scientist that would apply their knowledge to solve local, national and international problems;
inculcate sound scientific discipline to students such as independent work, resourcefulness, team work in scientific activities and honesty;
engage in cutting edge research and development in support of needs in aerospace industries and in consonance with current trends in research and industry that are having both direct and indirect relevance to the needs of Nigeria and the world in general;
provide a strong foundation for the pursuit of higher degree (M.Sc., M.Phil., and Ph.D);
expand the department’s programmes to include postgraduate programmes.

Admission Requirements

In order to be eligible for admission into the undergraduate (B.Sc. degree) programme, a candidate, in addition to satisfying the University general entry requirements, must obtain at least credit passes in each of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry as well as any other science subjects at the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations or its equivalent. The current minimum requirements for admission into 100 level (UTME entry) and 200 level (Direct entry) of the Department of Physics are given below:

Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) Mode

Applicants seeking entry through UTME must have attained the age of sixteen years on the first day of October in the year of their candidature possess the Senior School Certificate of Education (SSCE) or the General Certificate of Education, Ordinary Level GCE with passes at credit level in at least five subjects obtained at not more than two sittings. The five subjects should include English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics and any other relevant science subject. UTME subjects are: English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics.

Direct Entry Mode

Applicants seeking Direct Entry into 200 level should have:

Five SSCE or GCE O’ level credit passes in English, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics and any other science subject. GCE ‘A’ level or IJMB passes or equivalent “A” level pass in Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics. Candidates with Higher National Diploma (HND) may also be admitted into the 200 level with upper or lower credit or 300 level with distinction as special admission. Ordinary National Diploma (OND) candidates possessing overall upper credit pass in Physics or related disciplines may be considered for admission into 200 level.

Transfer Mode

The University may admit on transfer a student undergoing an undergraduate degree program in related disciplines in the Faculty of Science or Engineering departments of AFIT or another recognized University provided such a student meets the minimum admission requirements of this University and is seeking transfer into the program similar to the one he/she is in the present university without any pending issues/case against such candidate. Students seeking transfer into the department must possess a minimum CGPA of 3.5. Transfer application shall be made on the

approved application form obtainable from the Registrar’s Office and payment of the stipulated fee approved by the Senate.

Course Requirements

Courses terminologies:

i) Core/Compulsory Course:

A course which every student must compulsorily take and pass in any particular programme at a particular level of study

ii) Elective Course:

A course that students take within or outside the faculty. Students may graduate without passing the course provided the minimum credit unit for the course had been attained.

iii) Optional Course

A course which students can take based on interest and may count towards the minimum credit unit required for graduation.

iv) Pre-requisite Course

A course which student must take and pass before taking a particular course at a higher level.

v) Required Course

A course that you take at a level of study and must be passed before graduation.

vi) For each course specified, the categories to which it belongs, the weights (units) attached to each course and the level/year they could be offered on the programme is indicated.

vii) A unit of course is defined as one contact hour of lecture/tutorial or seminar.

viii) A student must take and pass a minimum of 15 and maximum of 24 credit units of courses in any given semester. A student must accumulate at least 30 units per level to qualify for graduation.

ix) All students for the four-year programme are required to take and pass for General studies (GST) courses before graduation.

x) A student must obtain at least 75% attendance in each course registered for to be eligible to sit for the end of examinations in the course.

xi) To graduate, students must register for courses as specified in this handbook and accumulate a minimum of 120 credit units/hours in total. The minimum period allowed for candidates to complete the programme is 6 semester or 3 years for DE students and 8 semester or 4 years for UME students and the maximum period is 10 semesters or 5 years for DE and 12 semesters or 6 years for UME students.

100 Level Courses

100 LEVEL – COURSES

First Semester

Course Code	Course Title/Description	Unit(s)	Status	Pre-requisites	LH	PH
PHY 101	General Physics I	3	C	O-Level Physics	45	–
PHY 107	General Physics Practical I	1	C	O-Level Physics	–	45
MTH 101	Elementary Algebra and Trigonometry I	2	C	O-Level Mathematics	45	–
MTH 103	Elementary Vector Geometry and Mechanics	2	R
CHM 101	General Chemistry I	2	R	O-Level Chemistry	45	–
BIO 101	General Biology I	2	R	O-Level Biology	30	–
STA 111	Descriptive Statistics	2	R	–	45	–
CSC 101	Introduction to Computer Science	2	R	–	30	45
GST 101	Communication in English I	2	C	–	30
GST 103	Nigeria People and Culture	2	R	–	30	–
GST 105	Use of Library, Study Skills & ICT	2	R	–	30	–
	Total Units	22

Second Semester

Course Code	Course Title/Description	Unit(s)	Status	Pre-requisites	LH	PH
PHY 102	General Physics II	3	C	O’ LevelPhysics	45	–
PHY 108	General Physics Practical II	1	C	O’ LevelPhysics	–	45
PHY 112	Physics, Energy, & Society	1	R		30
MTH 102	Elementary Differential and Integral Calculus	2	C	O’ Level Mathematics	45	–
CHM 102	General Chemistry II	2	R	O’ LevelChemistry	45	–
STA 112	Introduction to Probability Distribution I	2	R		45
CSC 102	Introduction to Problem Solving	2	R	–	45	–
GST 102	Communication in English II	2	C	–	30	45
GST 104	Logic, Philosophy and Human Existence	2	C	–	30
GST 106	Contemporary Health Issue	2	R	–	30
	Total Units	19

Electives

GEY 102	Introduction To Geology	2	E		30
STA 112	Introduction to Probability Distribution I	3	E		45

NOTE:

C = Compulsory, E = Elective, R = Required, LH = Lecture hours, PH = Practical hours

200 Level Courses

200 LEVEL – COURSES

First Semester

Course Code	Course Title/Description	Unit(s)	Status	Pre-requisites	LH	PH
PHY 201	General Physics III (Modern Physics)	3	C	PHY 101 and PHY 102	45	–
PHY 205	Thermal Physics	3	C	PHY 102 and MTH 102	45
PHY 207	Practical Physics III	1	C	PHY 107	–	45
PHY 209	Introduction to Space Science	2	C		30	–
PHY 213	Classical Physics I	2	C		30	–
PHY 241	Programming in Physics I (Python)	2	C	–	–	60
MAT 201	Mathematical Methods I	2	C	MTH 102	45	–
GST 211	Environment and Sustainable Development	2	R	–	30	–
GST 223	Introduction to Entrepreneurship	2	R	–	30	–
	Total Units	19

Electives

PHY 211	Introduction to Astronomy and Astrophysics	2	E		30	–
MAT 205	Linear Algebra I	2	E		45	–
CSC 201	Computer Programming I	2	E	–	30	45

Second Semester

Course Code	Course Title/Description	Unit(s)	Status	Pre-requisites	LH	PH
PHY 202	Introduction to Electric Circuits & Electronics	3	C	PHY 102	45
PHY 204	General Physics IV (Waves and Optics)	3	C	PHY 101, PHY 102 & MTH 102	45	–
PHY 206	General Physics V (Energy & Environment)	1	R		15	–
PHY 208	Practical Physics IV	1	R	PHY 108	–	45
PHY 210	Solid Earth Physics	2	R	–	30	–
PHY 214	Classical Physics II (Electromagnetism)	3	C	PHY 102	45	–
PHY 242	Programming in Physics II	2	C	–	30	45
MTH 202	Elementary Differential Equations	2	C	MTH 102	30
STA 202	Statistics for Physical Sciences & Engineering	2	R	STA 111 & STA 112	45	–
PHY 299	Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme I (SIWES I)/ Industrial Attachment I	3	C		12 Weeks
	Total Units	23

Electives

PHY 212	Solar & Atmospheric Physics	2	E
GEY 201	Principles of Geology	2	E

300 Level Courses

300 LEVEL – COURSES

First Semester

Course Code	Course Title/Description	Unit(s)	Status	Pre-requisites	LH	PH
PHY 301	Analytical Mechanics I	3	C	MTH 201 AND MTH 202	45	–
PHY 303	Electromagnetism I	3	C	PHY 201 AND MTH 202	45	–
PHY 305	Quantum Physics	3	C	PHY 201	45	–
PHY 307	Practical Physics V	1	R	PHY 207/208		45
PHY 311	Mathematical Methods for Physics I	3	C	PHY 201, PHY 204 &MTH 202	45
PHY 315	Classical Physics III	2	R	PHY 213 & PHY 214	30	–
PHY 317	Acoustics	2	R	–	30	–
PHY 341	Programming in Physics and Data Processing I	2	R	PHY 241 AND PHY 242	30	45
PHY 399	Industrial Attachment II (12 Weeks)	3	C	–
	Total Units	22

Electives

PHY 319	Introduction to Atmospheric Physics	2	E	30
PHY 333	Principles of Geophysics	2	E	30
PHY 337	Classical Physics III	2	E	30
MTH 305	Complex Analysis I	3	E	45

Second Semester

Course Code	Course Title/Description	Unit(s)	Status	Pre-requisites	LH	PH
PHY 302	Analytical Mechanics II	3	C	PHY 201 and MTH 204	45	–
PHY 304	Electromagnetic Waves & Optics	3	C	PHY 303	45	–
PHY 306	Statistical & Thermal Physics	3	C	PHY 205& PHY 305	45	–
PHY 308	Practical Physics VI	1	C	PHY 207, PHY 208 & PHY 307	–	15
PHY 314	Solid State Physics I	3	R	PHY 305	30	–
PHY 316	Electronics II	2	R	PHY 202	15	45
PHY318	Semiconductor Devices	2	R		30	–
PHY 320	Workshop Practice	2	R	–		90
GST 222	Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution	2	R	–	30
GST 224	Leadership Skills	2	R	–	30
	Total Units	23

Electives

PHY 326	Space Plasma Physics	2	E		30	–
PHY 322	Principle of Geophysics	2	E	–	30
PHY324	Electronics Devices and Device Manufacture	2	E		30	–
PHY 332	Introduction to Nuclear Physics	2	E		30	–
PHY 336	Astronomy	2	E		30	–
MTH 306	Complex Analysis II	3	E		30	–

300 Level Second Semester Vacation

Course Code	Course Title/Description	Units	Status	LH	PH
PHY 399	Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme I (SIWES I)	3	C	12 Weeks

400 Level Courses

First Semester

Course Code	Course Title/Description	Unit(s)	Status	Pre-requisites	LH	PH
PHY 401	Quantum Mechanics I	3	C	MTH 202&PHY 305	45	–
PHY 403	Mathematical Methods for Physics II	3	C	PHY 311	45	–
PHY 405	Electromagnetism II	3	C	PHY 303	45	–
PHY 407	Computational Physics	3	C	PHY 311 & PHY 341	45	–
PHY 415	Solid State Physics II	3	R	PHY 305 & PHY 314	45	–
PHY 441	Programming in Physics and Data Processing III	1	R	PHY 341	30	45
	Total	22

Electives

PHY 411	Nuclear and Particle Physics I	2	E	PHY 305	30	–
PHY 413	Advance Physics of Earth’s Interior	2	E	Solar & Atmospheric Physics	30	–
PHY 417	Applied Geophysics	2	E	PHY 333	30	–
PHY 419	Radiation Instruments	2	E		30	–
PHY 421	Stellar Structure and Galaxies	2	E	Introduction to Astronomy and Astrophysics	30	–

Second Semester

COURSE CODE	COURSE TITLE	UNIT(S)	STATUS	PRE- REQUISITES	LH	PH
PHY 402	Quantum Mechanics II	3	C	PHY 401 and MTH 202	45	–
PHY 406	Electrodynamics	3	C		45	–
PHY 410	Atomic and Molecular Spectroscopy	3	R		45	–
PHY 442	Programming in Physics and Data Processing IV	2	R	–	30	45
PHY 490	Research Project	6	C	–		270
	Total Units	16

Electives

PHY 412	Nuclear & Particle Physics II	2	E	PHY 401	30	–
PHY 414	Industrial Geophysics	2	E		30	–
PHY 416	Medical Nuclear Physics	2	E		30	–
PHY 418	Meteorology	2	E		30	–
PHY 420	Modern Cosmology & High Energy Astrophysics	2	E		30
PHY 426	Ionospheric Physics	2	E		30	–
PHY 428	Stellar Structure and Galaxies	2	E		30	–

HEAD OF DEPARTMENT

Hammed Adeniyi LAWAL

(B.Sc (Hons), MSc, PhD, FRAS, MInstP, MAGU, MEAS)