Course Title Materials Physics

Course Code TBC

NQF Level 8
Notional Hours Contact: 54 hours; Assessment: 24 hours; Directed Self-Learning and Self-Directed
Learning: 68 hours; Tutorials/Practicals: 4 hours
Total Notional Hours – 150
NQF Credits 15
Prerequisites None
Options Elective (Applied Physics Strand)
(compulsory or
elective)
Semester Offered 2
Course Aims The course aims at equipping the students with in depth knowledge about the
properties and behaviour of different materials and their applications in everyday life
and industries.
Specific Learning Upon completion of this course students will, through assessment activities show
Outcome evidence of their ability to:
1. Evaluate the materials basic physical properties;
2. Demonstrate the application of different materials in different system;
3. Analyse the principles of basic physics on materials for design of devices;
4. Discuss comprehensively about the behaviour of materials in applications such as
mechanical, electrical, optical, etc.;
5. Apply the principle of materials design in devices for industrial applications;
6. Evaluate materials value and its applications in specific fields.
Comprehensive Manipulate the physical properties of materials to discover new features and develop
Learning Outcome new devices.
Course Content • Materials: Properties and requirement: Classification of materials;
• Structured materials, ranging from a basic understanding of the relationship
between their physical properties, structure and chemical composition, through
strategies to control materials at nanometer scales, to the development of
devices with novel, pre-designed functionalities;
• Dielectric materials: Basics, Polarizations, Ferroelectric materials, frequency and
temperature dependence properties, dielectric properties and applications;
• Semiconductors, carrier concentration, conductivity, Transport properties,
electrical conductivity with temperature;
• Magnetic Materials: Types of materials, diamagnetism, Para magnetism and
Ferromagnetism, Weiss theory, Heisenberg exchange interaction, domain theory,
Hard and Soft magnetic materials, Magnetic recording materials and applications;
• Optical properties of materials, Classifications, absorption, traps, excitations,
colour centre, luminance and Photo conductivity.
Methods of The course will be facilitated through the following learning activities: class lectures,
Facilitating Learning class exercises, individual and group assignments and tests. Internal visits to
mechanical and industrial farms.
Assessment The assessment of this course will be based on Continuous Assessment (CA) and end-
Strategies of-semester examination. CA will contribute 60% to the Final Mark and consists of
class tests, theoretical and practical assignments. The end-of-semester examination
will contribute 40% to the Final Mark. Students have to obtain at least 40% to qualify
to write the examination and a sub-minimum of 40% in the examination. A minimum
Final Mark of 50% is required to pass the course.
Quality Assurance Moderation of assessments will be done in accordance with the NUST’s general
Arrangements rules and guidelines on moderation.
Student Support Student Support provided at:
and Learning University level: the main library, student services from the office of the Dean of
Resources students.
Faculty level: faculty-based induction, learning support units, face-to-face
consultation with lecturers, including the Departments library and laboratory
sessions.
Prescribed Textbooks:
1. Joel, G., and Frederick, W. S. (2001) The Physics and Chemistry of Materials, ISBN:
978-0-471-05794-9, Wiley, USA
2. Srinivasn, M. R. (2014) Applied Solid State Physics, ISBN-13: 978-1781830161,
New Academy Science, New York, USA.
Recommended Reading:
1. Fang, D. and Jin, G. (2005) Introduction to condensed Matter Physics, ISBN: 981-
238-711-0, World Scientific, Singapore.
2. Grundmann, M. (2016) The Physics of Semiconductors, ISBN: 978-3-319-23879-
1, Springer International Publishing, Singapore.
3. Robert, J. N. (2008) Introduction to the Physics and Chemistry of Materials, ISBN:
9781420061338, CRC Press, Taylor Francis Group, UK.