PC1325/GEK1508 - Einstein's Universe and Quantum Weirdness
This module will give a gentle introduction to two of the most important developments in modern physics: relativity and quantum theory. It would cover topics such as: the concept of absolute and relative space and time, the twin paradox, black holes and wormholes, wave-particle duality of matter, Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, Schrödinger's cat, the ultimate constituents of matter, grand unification and superstrings, and how these theories can contribute to the technology of tomorrow. It is designed for non-physics students, and proceeds mainly by analogy and contrast with the familiar. Concepts will be emphasised, while omitting the technical details.
PC1328/GEK1530 - Life as a complex system
The main objective of the module is to fascinate the students with the concept of interpreting life as a complex system by critically analyzing discoveries from Biology, Physics and Chemistry in a stimulating and unconventional fashion.
This module aims to acquaint students with some of the great ideas in contemporary physics. Accounts will be given to show how these ideas came about; how they have helped us to understand the mysteries of nature and how they have been developed to transform the world as we know it today. The major topics to be covered include the quantum theory of light, particle waves, wave-particle duality, the uncertainty principle, development of quantum mechanics, Einstein's special and general theories of relativity, the four fundamental forces, unified theory, sub-nuclear particles, fusion and fission, big-bang cosmology, evolution of stars, black holes and some modern technologies based on physics such as lasers, semiconductors and superconductors. This module is targeted at students from all years and all disciplines except physics majors.
This module covers the fundamentals of two branches of physics: thermodynamics and optics. Its aim is to prepare students for a host of more advanced modules in these and related areas. Topics included in the part on thermodynamics are thermal processes and effects, the first and second laws, kinetic theory of gases, heat engines and entropy. The part on optics encompasses topics such as geometric optics, systems of lenses, optical instruments, interference, diffraction, grating and polarization. The module also has a practical component consisting of five experiments designed to enhance students’ understanding of some of the concepts discussed in lectures. This module is targeted at science students who wish to acquire a working knowledge of thermodynamics and optics, and is an essential for physics majors.
This module will give a gentle introduction to two of the most important developments in modern physics: relativity and quantum theory. It would cover topics such as: the concept of absolute and relative space and time, the twin paradox, black holes and wormholes, wave-particle duality of matter, Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, Schrödinger's cat, the ultimate constituents of matter, grand unification and superstrings, and how these theories can contribute to the technology of tomorrow. It is designed for non-physics students, and proceeds mainly by analogy and contrast with the familiar. Concepts will be emphasised, while omitting the technical details.
This module covers the fundamentals of electricity and magnetism: electric fields, electric flux and Gauss’s law, electric potential; capacitance, dielectrics, current and resistance; DC circuits; magnetic fields, magnetic effect of currents, Ampere’s law, electromagnetic induction; AC circuits; magnetism in matter; electromagnetic waves. The module also has a practical component consisting of five experiments designed to enhance students’ understanding of some of the concepts discussed in lectures. This module is targeted at science students who wish to acquire a working knowledge in electricity and magnetism, and is an essential for physics majors.
PC1143 - Physics III (laboratory session)
PC1144 - Physics IV (laboratory session)
Semester IV, 2003/2004
PC1328/GEK1530 - Life as a complex system
The main objective of the module is to fascinate the students with the concept of interpreting life as a complex system by critically analyzing discoveries from Biology, Physics and Chemistry in a stimulating and unconventional fashion.
Semester I, 2002/2003
PC1325/GEM1508K - Einstein's Universe and Quantum Weirdness
This module will give a gentle introduction to two of the most important developments in modern physics: relativity and quantum mechanics.
What is space and time, absolute or relative? Is there a twin paradox? Is temporal order (past, present and future) of events absolute? What are black holes and wormholes? What is the dual nature of matter? Is a quantum cat possible? Is reality dictated by observations and is our world one of many? What are the ultimate constituents of matter? Is there an ultimate unification? Symmetry and superstring? What do relativity and quantum theory have to contribute towards the technology of tomorrow?
Evolution of ideas of the universe, structure of the universe - ranging from quarks, atoms, planets, stars and galaxies, the origin of life, origin and evolution of the universe.
Electric fields, electric flux and Gauss’s law, electric potential; capacitance, dielectrics, current and resistance; DC circuits; magnetic fields, magnetic effect of currents, Ampere’s law, electromagnetic induction; AC circuits; magnetism in matter; electromagnetic waves.
PC1143 - Physics III (laboratory session)
Semester I, 2001/2002
SCC33302 - Web-based High Performance Computing
This module aims to teach the fundamentals of high performance computing (HPC) and its applications including drug design, weather forecast, financial analysis, product design and simulation. Students will be introduced to some parallel algorithms used for scientific computations and their implementations. Special attention is paid to the internet platform and the effect of the communication penalty on the amount by which an algorithm can be speeded up.
This module aims to teach students the concepts of object-oriented programming and the use of scientific library with an emphasis on scientific computations. Topics include program structure and organization, modules (classes), inheritance, dynamic binding, exceptions handlings and multithreadings. Students will also make use of computation library for scientific applications, and write numerical and simulation programs in Java.
For more information on this module, please refer to the Lecturer's HomePage.
