Semester I

Newtonian mechanics must be replaced by Einstein’s special theory of relativity when dealing with particle
speeds comparable to the speed of light. As the 20th century progressed, many experimental and theoretical
problems were resolved by the special theory of relativity. For many other problems, however, neither
relativity nor classical physics could provide a theoretical answer. Attempts to apply the laws of classical
physics to explain the behavior of matter on the atomic scale were consistently unsuccessful. For example,
the emission of discrete wavelengths of light from atoms in a high temperature gas could not be explained
within the framework of classical physics. As physicists sought new ways to overcome these issues, another
revolution took place in physics between 1900 and 1930. A new theory called quantum mechanics was highly
successful in explaining the behavior of particles of microscopic size. The first explanation of a phenomenon
using quantum theory was introduced by Max Planck. Many subsequent mathematical developments and
interpretations were made by a number of distinguished physicists, including Einstein, Bohr, de Broglie,
Schrödinger, and Heisenberg.

Brief description of aims and content

The course of Material Science is aimed to introduce the different classes of engineering materials, to describe the structure and properties of a range of engineering materials, to describe processing – microstructure – property relationships, to present the principles of engineering design including modelling and materials process and selection with reference to factors such as environmental impact and economics

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed the module, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in:

• Kinds and properties of engineering materials
• Crystal Structure and defects in crystals
• Mechanical behaviour of materials
• Alloy theory and equilibrium diagrams
• Environmental effects on materials

Bibliography

All the teaching materials are based on the following references:

1. Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction , 6th Edition, William D. Callister, Jr., John Wiley, 2010
2. Introduction to Materials Science for Engineers, 6/E, James F. Shackelford, Prentice Hall, 2005
3. The Science and Engineering of Materials 4th Edition ,Donald R. Askeland, Pradeep P. Phulay , Thomson-Brooks/Cole, 2003
4. Foundations Of Materials Science And Engineering, Third Edition, William F. Smith, McGraw-Hill, 2004
5. Fundamentals of Materials Science and Engineering: An Integrated Approach, 2nd Edition, William D. Callister, Jr., John Wiley, 2004

Lecturer: Innocent Nkurikiyimfura, M.Eng.

Physics Department

Office: P408 Muhabura block

Phone: 0786976954

Email: innkinno@gmail.com

          inkurikiyimfura@ur.ac.rw

The aim of this module is to learn the physical basis of astronomy and astrophysics. This requires mastering stellar astrophysics. The spherical astronomy and the familiarization with both variables stars and binary stars are part of the course. The main sections of the module include the following: Spherical astronomy, observations and instruments; celestial mechanics, stellar astrophysics: binary stars and stellar masses; stellar structure; variable stars; physics of compact stars; galactic and extragalactic astronomy.

Space Physics describes the behaviour of the space in the vicinity of the Earth and within the solar system
with focus on solar-terrestrial relationships. Specifically, it provides a detailed description on how solar
particles and radiation affect the Earth and near-Earth space through the solar wind and magnetosphere
coupling. Space physics as the study of Earth’s home in space, includes:

1. the study of how the Sun works from its interior to its surface and its atmosphere (the corona), including
the causes of eruptions on the Sun marking times of high solar activity,

2. the characterization of the environment between the Sun and the planets out to the interstellar medium,
including the solar wind and energetic cosmic rays from outside the solar system,

3. the study of the interaction of the magnetic barriers (magnetospheres) surrounding Earth and other
planets with the interplanetary environment, particularly during times of high solar activity,

4. the study of Earth’s ionized upper atmosphere (the ionosphere) and its interaction with Earth’s neutral
lower atmosphere.

Space Physics introduces also the concept of space weather and how this is monitored, and its adverse
impacts on technologies and society. Space weather is a fundamental part of the study of space and has an
importance not only in understanding the universe, but also in our practical everyday life such as communi-
cation, satellite safety and applications.

Course description

This Atmospheric Physics course introduces the Earth's atmosphere then explains in details the weather and climate of the earth system, atmospheric thermodynamics, aerosol and cloud physics, radiative transfer and some simple principles for remote sensing. The course explains in details key processes in the atmosphere based on basic physical principles.

Content of the course

Chapter 1: Introduction to the Earth's Atmosphere

Chapter 2: Gravitational Effects

Chapter 3:  Atmospheric Thermodynamics

Chapter 4: Aerosol and Cloud physics

Chapter 5: Radiative Transfer

Learning outcomes

After completing the course of Atmospheric Physics, students should have the following competence:

1. Understand vertical and horizontal profile variability of several atmospheric parameters and forces leading to the atmospheric motions.
2. Know the basic thermodynamic concepts for the Earth's atmosphere and be able to apply atmospheric thermodynamic diagrams to assess stability and cloud conditions and explain weather phenomena.
3. Understand how aerosols and clouds affect solar radiation in the Earth's atmosphere.
4. Be able to quantify how absorption and emission of short and long wave radiation cause heating or cooling in different vertical layers.
5. Have a general understanding of how aerosols are crucial for the formation of cloud droplets and ice particles. Based on atmospheric thermodynamics understand how different processes can lead to precipitation.

 References

1. Atmospheric Science – An Introductory Survey by John M. Wallace and Peter V. Hobbs​
2. An Introduction to Atmospheric Physics by Robert G. Fleagle and Joost A. Businger.
3. Fundamentals of Atmospheric Physics by Murry L. Salby.
4. ​An Introduction to Atmospheric Physics, Second Edition (2010, Cambridge University Press)   by David G. Andrews.
5. The Earth's Atmosphere. Its Physics and Dynamics-Springer (2008) by Kshudiram Saha. 
6. Practical Meteorology - An Algebra-based Survey of Atmospheric Science by Roland Stull.
7. Weather forecasting analysis using meteorological parameters:​ http://wxmaps.org/fcst.php ​and http://wxmaps.org/fcstkey.php​