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Science

Physics

The Physics faculty is involved in teaching the basic courses required in the Engineering programs. All the incoming students are required to take these courses that help to introduce the basic laws of nature and their applications in engineering disciplines. These courses have a strong experimental component and the physics laboratories at Texas A&M University at Qatar are most modern and well equipped. The physics faculty is also engaged in cutting edge research in areas such as nonlinear dynamics, quantum informatics, nonlinear and quantum optics. Their research has received international recognition through publications in the most prestigious journals, international awards and, in some cases, public acclaim. The physics faculty has international collaborations with many institutions around the world. All the members of the present faculty are supported generously through research grants by the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF).
 
To view the full list of Physics courses offered by the home department at Texas A&M University in College Station, please follow the link Department of Physics.
 

Curricula in Physics

Physics is the science which investigates and tries to understand the basic laws of nature. In this pursuit, it deals with the entire range of natural phenomena from the smallest domain of sub-nuclear particles to the largest domain of distant objects in the universe.
 
This breadth of interests is reflected in the type of work pursued by physicists. Some physicists are interested in research on problems which are at the frontiers of knowledge. Some apply this newly acquired knowledge to make practical advances. Still others use knowledge of physics as a basis for careers in teaching or administration.

Minor in Physics

All courses listed below are required for obtaining a minor in Physics. A grade of "C" or better is required for all of them. For PHYS 491 preapproval needed from the instructor and the department head.

  1. PHYS 218: Mechanics (4 credits)

  2. PHYS 208: Electricity and Optics (4 credits)

  3. PHYS 221: Optics and Thermal Physics (3 credits)

  4. PHYS 222: Modern Physics for Engineers (3 credits)

  5. PHYS 491: Research (4 credits)

Course Descriptions

 
PHYSICS (PHYS)
 
208. Electricity and Optics. (3-3). Credit 4.
 
Continuation of PHYS 218. Electricity, magnetism and optics. Primarily for engineering students.
 
Prerequisites: PHYS 218; MATH 152 or 172 or registration therein.
 
218. (PHYS 2325 and 2125, 2425) Mechanics. (3-3). Credit 4.
 
Mechanics for students in science and engineering.
 
Prerequisite: MATH 151 or 171 or registration therein.
 
222. Modern Physics for Engineers. (3-0). Credit 3.
 
Atomic, quantum, relativity and solid-state physics.
 
Prerequisites: PHYS 208 or 219; MATH 308 or registration therein.
 
485. Directed Studies. Credit 1 or more.
 
Special work in laboratory or theory to meet individual requirements in cases not covered by regular curriculum.
 
Prerequisite: Approval of department head.
 
489. Special Topics in... Credit 1 to 4.
 
Selected topics in an identified field of physics. May be repeated for credit.
 
Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.
 

221. Optics and Thermal Physics. (3-0). Credit 3.

Wave motion and sound, geometrical and physical optics, kinetic theory of gases, laws of thermodynamics.

Prerequisites: PHYS 208; MATH 152; registration in MATH 251, MATH 308.

491. Research. 0 to 4 Other Hours. Credit 0 to 4.

Research conducted under the direction of faculty member in physics. May be repeated for credit. Registration in multiple sections of this course is possible within a given semester provided that the per semester credit hour limit is not exceeded.

Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification and approval of instructor.