Physics Undergraduate Syllabus
Physics Undergraduate Syllabus
Kolkata
PHYSICS
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Subject
Mathematical Methods 1
Classical Mechanics 1 (including
Special Relativity)
Thermal Physics (Kinetic Theory &
Thermodynamics)
Physics Laboratory 1: (Including
introduction to Statistics & Error
analysis)
Electromagnetism 1
Optics
Physics Laboratory 2
A: Mathematical Methods 2
B: Classical Mechanics 2
A: Quantum Physics 1
B: Atomic and Molecular Physics
Physics Laboratory 3
A: Quantum Physics 2
B: Electromagnetism 2
Electronics
A: Statistical Physics
B: Continuum Mechanics
Numerical Methods and Computing
Physics Laboratory 4
Nuclear & Particle Physics
Solid State Physics
Elective Paper *
Physics Laboratory 5
Supervised Reading or Research
project (including Research Skills)
PHYS0191
PHYS0101
PHYS0201
PHYS0291
PHYS0301
PHYS0302
PHYS0391
PHYS0401
PHYS0402
Credit
6
4
4
6
4
4
6
4
4
PHYS0491
PHYS0501
PHYS0502
PHYS0503
PHYS0591
PHYS0592
PHYS0601
PHYS0602
PHYS0603
PHYS0691
PHYS0692
6
6
4
4
4
6
Semester 1
1
2
Mathematical Methods 1
Classical Mechanics 1 (including
Special Relativity)
PHYS0191
PHYS0101
6
4
Paper 1
PHYS0191 Mathematical Methods 1 (50 Lectures)
Sequence and series:
[8]
Sequence and series, convergence, radius of convergence, Taylor's and Maclaurin's
series, power series, asymptotic series and divergent series, Cesaro summability, beta and
gamma functions.
Linear Differential equations :
[15]
Equations with constant coefficients - Mechanical and electrical systems, linear
operators, general solutions, the Wronskian, complex solutions, free & damped
oscillations. Nonhomogeneous equations, forced oscillations and resonance.
Equations with variable coefficients - series solutions, Legendres and Bessel's equation,
orthogonality, generating functions, recurrence relations etc.
Linear vector spaces and matrices:
[8]
Linear vector spaces, basis for a space, basis transformation, linear transformations, dual
space, representations of transformations by matrices, diagonalisation of matrices. Norm
and inner products.
Functions of several variables:
[7]
Differentiable functions limits and continuity, partial derivatives, total differentials,
differentiations of composite functions, chain rule, differentiations of implicit functions,
change of variables. Taylors formula for functions of several variables, critical points of
functions of several variables, constrained maxima and minima. Lagrange multipliers.
Integral with several variables double and triple integrals, change of variables in double
and triple integrals. Surface integral, line integrals in the plane, line integral independent
of path. Greens theorem in the plane. The calculus of variation.
Vector algebra and calculus:
[12]
Vector triple products. Scalars and vector fields. Continuity of scalars and vector
functions. Gradient. Line integral in three dimensional space, line integrals of gradients,
independence of path. Regions and their boundaries. Divergence and the divergence
theorem. Curl of a vector field, Stokes formula. Solenoidal and irrotational fields, Line
integral in space. Conservative fields, Curvilinear coordinates. Gradient, divergence and
curl in orthogonal curvilinear coordinates, non-orthogonal coordinates, co- and
contravariant components of a vector.
Paper 2
PHYS0101 Classical Mechanics 1 (including Special Relativity, 50 Lectures)
Classical Mechanics (30 lectures)
Mechanics of a single particle
Kinematics velocity and acceleration in plane polar coordinates, Inertial frame of
reference, Newton's laws, Analytical solutions of the dynamical equation in various
cases, Conservative forces and concept of potential, Linear momentum.
[6]
Semester 2
3
4
PHYS0201
PHYS0291
Paper 3
PHYS0201 Thermal Physics (Kinetic Theory & Thermodynamics, 50 Lectures)
Paper 4
PHYS0291 Physics Laboratory 1
Semester 3
5
6
7
Electromagnetism 1
Optics
Physics Laboratory 2
PHYS0301
PHYS0302
PHYS0391
4
4
6
Paper 5
PHYS0301 Electromagnetism 1 (Electrostatics & Magnetostatics, 50 Lectures)
Electrostatics (25 lectures)
Field, Potential, Gauss Law
[8]
Coulombs law, Superposition principle, Intensity & potential. Potential and field due to
different charge distribution. Gauss law and its application. Earnshaws theorem.
Multipole Expansion
Potential.and field due to a dipole, Force & torque on a dipole in an external field.
Dipole-dipole interaction, Multipole Expansion for bounded charge distribution.
[4]
Dielectrics
[6]
Polarization and charge density. Molecular polarizablility. Electric displacement vector.
Electric field in cavities of dielectrics. Electrostatic energy.
Laplace equation & Electrical Images
[7]
Possion and Laplace equation, Boundary conditions, Uniqueness Theorem. Boundary
value problems with the help of Electrical images.
Magnetostatics (25 Lectures)
Magnetic effect of steady current, Vector Potential
[12]
Equation of continuity and steady current. Lorentz force and concept of magnetic
induction; force on linear current element; Biot-Savarts law, Amperes circuital law.
Magnetic vector potential; calculation of vector potential and magnetic induction in
simple cases. Vector potential due to closed current loop - magnetic dipole term; Field
due to a dipole; Concept of magnetic shell; Magnetic dipole moment for rotating charge
bodies, Gyro-magnetic ratio, Force & torque on a magnetic dipole.
Field and magnetic materials
[7]
Free current and bound current; surface and volume density of current distribution;
magnetisation; non-uniform magnetisation of matter; Introduction of H; Magnetostatic
boundary conditions. Magnetic scalar potential; Field due to uniformly magnetized
sphere. Hysteresis and iron loss.
Electromagnetic Induction
[6]
Faradays and Lenzs law. Motional e.m.f.-simple problems. Calculation of self and
mutual inductance in simple cases. Energy stored in magnetic field. Energy of a
magnetic dipole.
Paper 6
PHYS0302 Optics (50 Lectures)
[4]
Interference of Light
[12]
Youngs experiment, coherence, Interference by division of wavefront and division of
amplitude. Multiple beam interference, Interferometers.
Diffraction of Light
[12]
Fresnel and Fraunhofer diffraction, Huygens-Fresnel theory, Zone plate, Different
apertures, Fraunhofer diffraction due to a single slit, double slit, transmission grating,
Resolving power of optical systems.
Polarization of Light
[10]
Unpolarized and partially polarized light, State of polarization, Polarization by
reflection and scattering, Brewsters angle. Polaroid and Malus law. Optical anisotropy,
Wave equation in anisotropic media, birefringence, o- and e-rays, double refraction,
Polarizing beamsplitters and waveplates.
Paper 7
PHYS0391 Physics Laboratory 2
The contents for this laboratory will be submitted for Council approval at a later date.
Semester 4
8
9
10
A: Mathematical Methods 2
B: Classical Mechanics 2
Quantum Physics 1
Physics Laboratory 3
PHYS0401
PHYS0402
PHYS0491
4
6
Paper 8
PHYS0401 (Mathematics Methods 2 & Classical Mechanics 2, 50 Lectures)
Mathematical Methods 2 (25 Lectures)
Fourier Series & Fourier Transforms
[10]
Fourier series as eigen function expansions, sine and cosine series. Complex Fourier
series and the Dirac function. Fourier Transform and Partial Differential Equation the
case of a diffusion equation.
Partial Differential Equation
[15]
Classification of PDEs. Some examples of PDEs. Solution of PDEs with separation of
variables and eigenfunctions. Boundary and initial conditions vibration of a string.
Laplaces equation and its solution in Cartesian, spherical polar with axially symmetric
coordinate system and cylindrical polar with infinite cylinder coordinate system. Solution
of 1- D and 2 D wave equations. Solution of heat conduction equation in 1-D.
[6]
Paper 9
PHYS0402 (Quantum Physics 1 & Atomic and Molecular Physics, 50 Lectures)
Quantum Mechanics 1 (25 Lectures)
Historical Development
[5]
Black body radiation, Planck's formula, de Broglie hypothesis, Compton effect, Electron
double-slit experiment, Davisson-Germer experiment, Heisenberg's uncertainty principle.
Basics of Wave Mechanics
[10]
Concept of wave function, Wave packets, Group and phase velocities, Principle of
superposition, Schrodinger equation, Probabilistic interpretation of the wave function,
Properties of the solution of Schrodinger equation, Stationary states.
Operator Formulation
[10]
Dynamical variables as linear harmonic operators, Momentum, energy and angular
momentum operators, Eigenvalue equation, Measurement of observables, Expectation
values, Ehrenfest's Theorem, Commutation relation between operators and simultaneous
measurements, Solution of eigenvalue problem for a free particle and for motion of a
particle in an infinite square well potential.
Atomic and Molecular Physics (25 Lectures)
Atomic Spectra
[5]
Spectrum of light, Bohr model for hydrogen like ions, experimental evidences, Rydberg
atoms, Franck-Hertz experiment and its improvements, Bohr-Sommerfeld quantization,
spectra of alkali atoms.
Vector Atom Model
[8]
Magnetic moment of an electron for orbital motion, space quantization, Stern-Gerlach
experiment, electron spin, vector model, Lande g factor, interpretation of Stern-Gerlach
experiment, doublet lines of alkali spectra, spin-orbit interaction, Zeeman effect (normal
& anomalous), Paschen-Back effect.
Many Electron Atoms
[4]
Helium spectra, LS and JJ coupling, Pauli exclusion principle, Hunds rules, equivalent
and non-equivalent electrons.
Molecular spectra
[5]
Diatomic molecules-rotational and vibrational levels, basic ideas about molecular spectra,
Raman Spectra.
Laser Physics
[3]
Population inversion, Einsteins A, B coefficients, feedback of energy in a resonator,
three level and four level systems.
Paper 10
PHYS0491 Physics Laboratory 3
The contents for this laboratory will be submitted for Council approval at a later date.
Semester 5
11
12
13
14
15
A: Quantum Physics 2
B: Electromagnetism 2
Electronics
A: Statistical Physics
B: Continuum Mechanics
Numerical Methods and Computing
Physics Laboratory 4
PHYS0501
PHYS0502
PHYS0503
4
4
PHYS0591
PHYS0592
6
6
Paper 11
PHYS0501 (Quantum Physics 2 & Electromagnetism 2, 50 Lectures)
Quantum Physics 2 (25 Lectures )
Simple applications
Solution of eigenvalue problem for the cases of finite well potential, delta function
potential, potential step and rectangular potential barrier
[8]
[4]
[3]
Paper 12
PHYS0502 Electronics (50 Lectures)
Semiconductors
[16]
Semiconductor materials, doping, n and p-type semiconductors, energy band and Fermi
level, p-n junction diode: construction, current-voltage characteristics at forward and
reverse bias, junction capacitance, avalanche and Zener breakdown, voltage regulation
property of Zener diode, simple diode circuits: half-wave, full-wave and bridge rectifiers,
filters, diode clipper and clamper, brief idea of different types of diodes based on p-n
junction. Bipolar junction transistor (BJT) : construction, current amplification
mechanism, common-base configuration and , common-emitter configuration and ,
common-collector configuration and emitter follower, hybrid parameters, BJT biasing,
stability, load line and Q-point, transistor as voltage amplifier, statement of Thevenins
theorem, Nortons theorem, superposition theorem and maximum power transfer theorem
and use of those in course of transistor circuit analysis, Field effect transistors:
construction and characteristics of JFET and MOSFET, mutual conductance, drain
resistance and amplification factor, enhancement and depletion type MOSFETs,
common-source, common-drain and common-gate amplifiers, brief introduction to lightemitting diode, photodiode and solar cell.
Amplifiers and Oscillators
[8]
Principle of feedback, positive and negative feedback, advantages of negative feedback,
transistor power amplifier, tuned and wideband amplifier, class A, class B and class C
amplifiers, push-pull amplifier, multistage amplifier, types of coupling.
Barkhausen criterion for sustained oscillation, Hartley and Colpitts oscillators, Wien
bridge oscillator, crystal oscillator, multivibrator.
Operational Amplifier
[10]
Properties of ideal operational amplifier, differential amplifier, common mode rejection
ratio, inverting amplifier (voltage shunt feedback) and noninverting amplifier (voltage
series feedback), voltage follower, circuits performing mathematical operations, such as
adder, subtractor, multiplier, integrator and differentiator, comparator, Schmitt trigger,
precision rectifier, active filter.
Digital electronics
[10]
Decimal, binary and hexadecimal numbers, Boolean algebra, logic gates and universal
gate, De Morgans theorems, Boolean simplifications, sum-of-product and product-ofsum form, Karnaugh map, Logic families, Combinational logic circuits: adder,
comparator, multiplexer, demultiplexer, sequential logic circuits: flip-flops RS, D, JK
and JK master-slave, use of clock pulse, shift register, counters, digital-to-analog and
analog-to-digital converters.
Principles of Communication
[6]
Need for modulation, amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM) and
phase modulation (PM), demodulation of AM wave (diode detector), FM wave (slope
detector) and related circuits, Types of noise, equivalent noise voltage, noise current,
noise power and noise resistance, propagation of electromagnetic waves through the
atmosphere, ionosphere and its influence on radiowaves, optical fibre and communication
through optical fibre.
Paper 13
PHYSICS0503 (Statistical Physics & Continuum Mechanics, 50 Lectures)
Statistical Physics (25 Lectures)
Statistical description of thermodynamic systems
[5]
Limitations of thermodynamics. Statistical description of a system, Microstates &
Macrostates, Phase space, Ergodicity, Concepts of statistical equilibrium, Liouville's
Theorem. Isolated system, Postulate of equal a priori probability. Statistical definitions of
temperature and entropy.
Statistical ensembles and applications of classical statistics
[12]
Interacting systems, Thermal equilibrium and canonical ensembles, Gibbs distribution,
Partition function as a generating function of all thermodynamic quantities. Simple
applications of Gibbs distribution, Partition function and density of states, Grand
canonical ensemble and chemical equilibrium, Grand partition function and simple
applications, Fluctuations and its role in statistical mechanics, Equivalence of ensembles.
Equipartition of energy, examples. Applications of Gibbs distribution in noninteracting
spin systems. Ideal gas, equation of state, energy, specific heat. MaxwellBoltzmann
distribution. Entropy of ideal gas. Gibbs paradox. Applicability criteria of classical
statistics.
[10]
Fluid Mechanics
[15]
The equation of continuity, Eulers equation for ideal fluids, Hydrostatics, Bernoullis
theorem, Potential flow, Incompressible fluids, Newtonian fluids, Navier-Stokes
equation and its applications. Poiseuilles formula, Couette flow, Turbulent flow and
Reynolds number, Brief introduction to astrophysical fluid dynamics.
Paper 14
PHYS0591 Numerical Analysis and Computing
1. Computer Language (one of FORTRAN/C/C++/Python)
Concept of algorithm, Basic syntaxes of constant, variables. elementary operations.
Arithmetic expressions, Logical expressions, Recursion, array variables, Basic I/O
statements, function subprogram and subroutines. Graphics.
2. Numerical analysis (assigned problems as Laboratory experiments)
Group A
(i) Sorting of data
(ii) Statistical analysis (mean, median, mode)
(iii) Distribution of prime numbers
(iv) Sum of different types of series term by term with a specified accuracy
(v) Products of two vectors
(vi)Matrix operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication,transpose )
Group B
(i) Solution of simultaneous linear equations by Gauss-Siedel method
(ii) Finding real roots by Bisection and Newton-Raphson method
(iii) Calculations of derivatives by forward difference and central difference method.
(iv) Integration by trapezoidal and Simpson's rule.
(v) Integration by statistical method.
(vi) Solving ODE by Euler method.
Paper 15
PHYS0592 Physics Laboratory 4
The contents for this laboratory will be submitted for Council approval at a later date.
Semester 6
16
17
18
19
20
PHYS0601
PHYS0602
PHYS0603
4
4
4
PHYS0691
PHYS0692
6
6
Paper 16
PHYS0601 (Nuclear and Particle Physics, 50 Lectures)
Nuclear structure and properties
[7]
Properties of nuclei - size, shape, charge distribution, binding energy, spin, electric and
magnetic moment, parity, Force between nucleons charge independence, Nuclear
stability liquid drop model and semi-empirical mass formula, Extreme single particle
shell model (qualitative), Magic numbers.
Unstable nuclei
[12]
Rutherford scattering, Alpha decay Geiger-Nuttal law, straggling, Beta decay Kurie
plot, neutrino hypothesis, energy levels and decay schemes, selection rules, Gamma
decay spectra, isomeric states, energy levels.
Nuclear Reaction
Conservation principles, Q value and threshold, Types of nuclear reaction, Direct
reaction, Bohr's postulate of compound nucleus formation Ghoshal's experiment,
Fission - spontaneous and induced, energy and mass distribution of fragments,
explanation from liquid drop model, chain reactions, nuclear reactors, Fusion
explanation from liquid drop model.
[13]
Paper 17
PHYS0602 Solid State Physics (50 Lectures)
Crystal Structure of Solids
[8]
Crystalline periodicity, crystal symmetry, Bravais lattices, position, directions and planes
in crystals. Simple lattice, Close-packed structures & Reciprocal lattice. The Bragg
diffraction law, Laue condition of X-ray diffraction, determination of crystal structure
with X- rays.
Bonding in Solids
[2]
Different types of bonding ionic, covalent, metallic, van der Waals & hydrogen type.
Energy band Structure
[9]
Periodic potential in a crystalline solid, Bloch theorem, Kroning Penny model and the
formation of energy allowed and forbidden energy gaps, number of electrons in a band,
reciprocal effective mass tensor of electrons. Electrons and holes. Metals, insulators and
semiconductors.
Free Electron Theory of Metals
Relaxation time, mean free path, mobility and thermal conductivity. Drude model
electrical conductivity. Wiedemann Franz Lorentz relation. Hall effect in metals.
[6]
Paper 18
PHYS0603 Elective papers (50 Lectures)
Paper 18A
Astrophysics
Introduction to Observational Astronomy
[8]
Celestial sphere, Coordinate systems, Measurement of time and distance, Luminosity,
Apparent and absolute magnitude, Colour index, Measurement of mass, Electromagnetic
spectrum, Observational tools for multi-wavelength astronomy.
Introductory Stellar astrophysics
[18]
Stellar spectra classification, Saha equation, Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, Stellar
structure - hydrostatic equilibrium, Polytropes, Lane Emden equation analytic
solutions, Stellar energy generation - nucleosynthesis, Radiative transfer.
Stellar evolution
[12]
Fate of massive stars brown dwarfs, supernovae, Compact objects white dwarfs,
neutron stars and black holes.
Introductory extragalactic Astrophysics
Galaxies classification, Galactic structure, Milky Way galaxy, Normal and active
galaxies, Structure of the Universe, Introduction to observational cosmology.
[12]
Paper 18B
Advanced Electronics
Amplifiers and Oscillators
[8]
Voltage and current amplifiers, principle of feedback, positive and negative feedback,
advantages of negative feedback, transistor power amplifier, tuned and wideband
amplifier, class A, class B and class C amplifiers, push-pull amplifier, multistage
amplifier, types of coupling, Barkhausen criterion for sustained oscillation, Hartley and
Colpitts oscillators, Wien bridge oscillator, crystal oscillator, multivibrator.
Operational Amplifier
[10]
Properties of ideal operational amplifier, differential amplifier, common mode rejection
ratio, inverting amplifier (voltage shunt feedback) and noninverting amplifier (voltage
series feedback), voltage follower, circuits performing mathematical operations, such as
adder, subtractor, multiplier, integrator and differentiator, comparator, Schmitt trigger,
precision rectifier, active filter.
Digital Electronics
[10]
Logic families, combinational and sequential logic circuits, multiplexer, demultiplexer,
decoder, encoder, diode ROM, flip-flops: RS, D, JK, JK master-slave, use of clock pulse,
shift register, counters, digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital converters.
Optoelectronics
[4]
Use of geometrical and physical optics in electronic devices, optical fibre, core and
cladding, step index and graded index fibres, communication through optical fibre, lightemitting diode, photodiode and solar cell.
Instrumentation
[5]
Cathode ray oscilloscope: construction and measurement of electrical quantities,
introduction to microprocessor, block diagram of 8085, types of instructions, op-code, a
brief idea on microprocessor programming and interfacing.
Signals and Noise
[5]
Types of noise, equivalent noise voltage, noise current, noise power and noise resistance,
antenna, propagation of electromagnetic waves through the atmosphere, ionosphere and
its influence on radiowaves, very brief idea on satellite communication, digital
communication and mobile communication.
Semiconductor Science & Technology
[8]
Introduction to bulk and epitaxial crystal growth, diffusion and ion implantation, brief
idea on integrated circuit (IC), lithography, metal-semiconductor contacts, Special
semiconductor devices: p-n-p-n switch, SCR, diac, triac, tunnel diode, IMPATT diode.
Paper 19
PHYS0691 Physics Laboratory 4
The contents for this laboratory will be submitted for Council approval at a later date.
Paper 20
PHYS0692 (Research Skills & Supervised reading or research project)
This module will consist of two parts. In the first part, basic principles of research skills
will consist of lectures on statistical analysis, data interpretation, simulations, scientific
ethics and Latex document processing. In the second part, the student will undertake a
reading project in a small group, or a small research project under close supervision.
Research skills (16 lectures)
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
The examination will consist of a problem-solving test on A, B and C, and this will
constitute marks equivalent to 1 credit. The oral presentation and LateX skills will be
tested below.