Physics Department

Name of the Department : Physics
Year of Establishment : 2011
Names of Programmes/ Courses : UG
No. of Teaching posts sanctioned : 2
No. of Teaching posts filled : 2

Course structure: B.Sc. With Physics
(UG yearly programme w.e.f. 2018)

Physics Program

Physics is the most fundamental science. It is the foundation for our understanding of the world around us, spanning the ultimate depths within subatomic nuclei to distances beyond the known universe. Physics provides a basis for other sciences, including chemistry, biology, astronomy, and geology. Physics discoveries, which led to technologies ranging from energy sources to quantum information and nano-communication devices to medical diagnostics, have revolutionized our world, and will continue to do so. The physics curriculum provides strong analytical skills and problem-solving abilities for careers ranging from academic research, to industrial development, to large government exploration, to project management. The curriculum is unusually flexible and has successfully led to degrees with major physics, minor physics in physical science. The physics program also promotes and rewards creativity, stimulates intellectual development, and engages our students in life-long learning.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Physics program is to provide outstanding opportunities for learning in physics and teaching of the highest quality and impact, addressing needs and challenges of the 21st century. The program is designed to assist our students in developing deep understanding via powerful problem-solving skills, preparing them for a very broad range of opportunities.

Program Objective

The Physics program aims to educate students to become professionals with in-depth knowledge and skills in science and mathematics to understand physical systems; to research, design and solve problems in physics and related disciplines; and to provide the foundation for graduate study and lifelong learning. Our objective is to prepare students to be able to successfully pursue :
•Advanced studies leading to research and/or professional careers in physical science;
•Careers in related technical and professional fields in industry or government.

Program Outcomes

Graduates of the Physics program at Govt. College Haripur will attain :
•an ability to apply knowledge of physics in mathematics, other sciences, and engineering;
•an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyse and interpret data;
•an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams;
•an ability to identify, formulate, and solve problems;
•an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility;
•an ability to communicate effectively;
•a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning;
•a knowledge of contemporary issues;
•an ability to apply advanced mathematics through multivariate calculus, differential equations, and/or numerical techniques;
•a knowledge of contemporary analytical and experimental techniques;
•a competence in the use of computational tools and in the use of a high-level programming language;
•a depth of knowledge in calculus-based physics at an advanced level.

Our physics curriculum places emphasis on :
•Physics
•Mathematics
•Computer Science
•Problem Solving
•Science and Scientific Principles
•Communications
•Multi-disciplinary Teamwork
•Continuous Learning
•Leadership
•Ethics

Why Study Physics?

Physics is crucial to understanding the world around us, the world inside us, and the world beyond us. It is the most basic and fundamental science. Physics challenges our imaginations with concepts like relativity and string theory, and it leads to great discoveries, like computers and lasers, that change our lives.
Physics encompasses the study of the universe from the largest galaxies to the smallest subatomic particles. Moreover, it's the basis of many other sciences, including chemistry, oceanography, seismology, and astronomy. All are easily accessible with a bachelor's degree in physics.
The importance of physics isn't limited to the “hard sciences.” Increasingly, physicists are turning their talents to molecular biology, biochemistry, and biology itself. Even medicine has a niche for physicists, and since medical physicists are hard to come by, they are much in demand.
Physics also undergirds many new technologies. Cell phones, the Internet, and MRIs are only a few examples of the physics-based technological developments that have revolutionized our world. Many theoretical and experimental physicists work as engineers, and many electrical and mechanical engineers have physics degrees.
A physics education equips a person to work in many different and interesting places—in industrial and government labs, on college campuses, and in the astronaut corps. So—physics is interesting, relevant, and it can prepare you for great jobs in a wide variety of places. Shouldn't you take a physics course?

Program outcomes, program specific outcomes and course outcomes of Physics Department

Subject specific outcomes

• Students gain knowledge and skill in Physics.
• Apply the knowledge and perform various experiments based on the knowledge of physics.
• Analyse Newtonian mechanics, Dynamics of rigid body, various properties of matter like elasticity, viscosity, surface tension.
• Understands the oscillatory motion, special theory of relativity, electrostatics, magneto-statics, thermodynamics and light phenomenon like interference of light, diffraction, polarization their role in various technological instrumentations.
• Understand the failure of classical physics in some modern experiments and development of quantum mechanics.
• Gain knowledge of crystal structures, radioactivity, nuclear physics and classical and quantum statistics.
• Understands the role of LASER, X-ray and radioactive rays in the field of medical science.
• Understand the role of semiconductor devices in electronic, digital and computer industry.

Program specific outcomes

• Understand the basic concepts of Newton’s laws, Center of mass, Moment of Inertia, Momentum, Energy, Rotational motion, Lorentz transformations, gravitation, Oscillations, frequency, wavelength, surface tension, Viscous force, Modulii of Elasticity, Kinetic theory of gases, heat engine and efficiency, Laws of thermodynamic, Black body radiation, M-B, B-E and FD statics, Schrodinger equation, wave packets, applications of Schrodinger equation, atomic model and stability, Natural and artificial radioactivity, use of isotope for various applications, Fission and fusion phenomenon, Nuclear reactions, dielectric and magnetic properties of matter and solid state physics.
• Perform procedures as per laboratory standards in the areas of Gravitation, modulus of rigidity, Surface tension, heat and energy, semiconductor device, probability distributions, spectroscopy, planks law, hydrogen spectra, crystal structure parameters and prism spectra, resolving power dispersive power, Brewster’s law etc.
• Understand the applications of X-ray, radioactive isotopes, LASER beam and semiconductor device, in Agriculture, Medicine, electronic industry and computer technology.

Course Outcomes

Upon completion of the undergraduate physics program, graduates will be able to :
•Demonstrate command of theoretical, experimental and computational physics in preparation for their chosen career path after graduation.
•Apply the tools of physics including mathematics, experimental design with apparatus, and computers to explore independently new problems of practical or theoretical importance.
•Exhibit growth as members of a scientific community and in awareness of professional responsibilities.
•Demonstrate the ability to construct, articulate, and defend a valid scientific argument and to critique others' arguments and techniques.

Strengths

• The Department of physics has well qualified and dedicated faculty.
• Faculty Trained in ICT Methodologies.
• All the laboratories are as per the curriculum.
• Testing facilities are available to carry out the routine tests for various equipment’s is available.
• Excellent central library including separate department library and computing, Internet facilities are available in excess of the norms stipulated.
• Mechanism is available for direct mentoring of students by faculty, interacting with students, and directing them to upgrade their skills.

Weaknesses

• Number of volumes and journals in the department library need to be increased.
• The activities through Industry Institution Interaction Cell are to be improved.
• Student-Taught ratio is not appropriate.
• Soft skills and communication skills of students need to be improved.
• Student and staff are to be encouraged for paper presentation at various National/International conferences, workshops and seminars.
• Limited Scope for Content delivery through Course Structure.
• Lack of Student involvement in Research.
• Moderate Placement ratio.

Opportunities

• Interdisciplinary Research and Consultancy .
• Scope for the development of interdisciplinary projects useful for society.
• Organizing International Conferences.
• Societal Impact Project.
• Faculty as Resource Persons

Challenges

• Offering PG courses not viable
• Strengthen Industry-Institute Interaction.
• More placements.
• Encouraging students for competitive examinations and higher studies.
• More focus on Industrial training for faculty and students.