MSc in the field of Physics

Disciplinary Electives* (48 credits)

Take at least 48 credits from Lists A and B with at least 18 credits must be chosen from List A:

Data analysis in physics, astronomy and space science (6 credits)

Big data, AI and machine learning in physics, astronomy and space science (6 credits)

Quantum information (6 credits)

Topics in solid state physics (6 credits)

PHYS8971

PHYS8970 Physics seminar (3 credits)

This course aims to initiate students into research culture and develop their capacity to communicate with audiences of varied backgrounds. Students learn professional presentation skills alongside research ethics, including the proper use of generative AI. By attending departmental colloquia and submitting brief corresponding written assignments, students gain exposure to contemporary physics research and observe presentation techniques from leading researchers. These activities prepare them for an end-of-semester oral presentation, normally on materials related to their Capstone Project. Satisfactory completion of the colloquia requirements, as specified by the course coordinator, is necessary to pass the course.

Assessment: written assignments (50%), oral presentation (50%)

PHYS8150 Computational physics and its contemporary applications (6 credits)

This course shows the power of computational approach to solving physics and related problems, which is complimentary to the traditional experimental and theoretical approaches. Students are expected to spend a significant proportion of time on actual programming. Topics include: Brief review of Python and an introduction to Google Colab; introduction to computational physics; ordinary differential equation for classical physics problems; partial differential equation for classical and quantum problems; matrix methods and exact diagonalisation for classical and quantum problems; Monte Carlo methods for statistical physics and quantum many-body physics; numerical methods for phase transitions and machine learning approaches to physics problems.

Assessment: coursework (70%); examination (30%)

PHYS8152 Data analysis in physics, astronomy and space science (6 credits)

This course introduces concepts of data analysis in physics, astronomy and space science. Techniques ranging from traditional statistical methods to more recent machine learning methods will be introduced. Applications of these techniques in physics, astronomy and space science will be the focus of this course, enabling students to understand how they are deployed in solving actual problems.. 

Assessment: coursework (50%); examination (50%)

PHYS8153 Big Data, AI and machine learning in physics, astronomy and space science (6 credits)

Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning and Big Data analytics have found widespread applications in all branches of science and technology. The objective of this course is to introduce concepts of AI and big data analytics, with focus on their applications in physics, astronomy and space science. Selected advanced examples on how big data science and deep learning can be applied in physics, astronomy and space science will be introduced to provide students a flavour of the contemporary research in the field. 

Assessment: coursework (50%); examination (50%)

PHYS8351 Graduate quantum mechanics (6 credits)

This course introduces postgraduates to the theory and advanced techniques in quantum mechanics, and their applications to selected topics in condensed matter physics. The course covers the following topics: Dirac notation; quantum dynamics; the second quantisation; symmetry, group theory and conservation laws; permutation symmetry and identical particles; perturbation and scattering theory; introduction of relativistic quantum mechanics.

Assessment: coursework (50%); examination (50%)

PHYS8352 Quantum information (6 credits)

This course covers the theory of quantum information and computation and its applications in physics and computer science. Topics include: Quantum computer; quantum algorithms; quantum error correction; quantum information processing; quantum entanglement and quantum cryptography.

Assessment: coursework (50%) and examination (50%)

PHYS8450 Graduate electromagnetic field theory (6 credits)

The aim of this course is to provide students with an advanced level of comprehension of the theory of classic electromagnetic field, enabling them to master key analytical tools for solving real physics problems. This course introduces and discusses the following topics: Boundary-value problems in electrostatics and Green's Function method; electrostatics of media; magnetostatics; Maxwell’s equations and conservation laws; gauge transformations; electromagnetic waves and waveguides.

Assessment: coursework (50%); examination (50%)

PHYS8550 Graduate statistical mechanics (6 credits)

This course covers advanced topics in equilibrium statistical physics. Topics include: Ensemble theory; theory of simple gases; ideal Bose systems; ideal Fermi systems; statistical mechanics of interacting systems; statistical field theory; some topics in the theory of phase transition may be selected.

Assessment: coursework (50%); examination (50%)

PHYS8551 Topics in solid state physics (6 credits)

This course covers a broad introduction to the theory of the solid state physics. Topics include: Crystal structures and symmetry; the reciprocal lattice and X-ray diffraction; Bloch theory and band structures; nearly free electrons and tight binding approximations; the Drude theory of metals; the Sommerfeld theory of metals; semi-classical model of electron dynamics; transport and optical properties of metals and semiconductors; lattice vibration and thermal properties.

Assessment: coursework (50%); examination (50%)

PHYS8552 Condensed matter physics (6 credits)

This course introduces many-body physics in quantum matter. Systems consisting of many particles (bosons or fermions) display novel collective phenomena that individual particles do not have, for example, ferromagnetism and superfluidity. It aims to introduce students to the general principles behind these phenomena, such as elementary excitations, spontaneous symmetry breaking, adiabatic theorems, emergent topological phases of matter, etc. Theoretical languages useful in the interpretation of experiments, such as linear response theory and response functions, will be discussed. This course will focus on the phenomena of emergent many-body states that require not only the effect of quantum statistics but also that of inter-particle interaction.

Examples include: Ferro-magnetism, Fermi liquid, superfluidity, superconductivity, and the quantum Hall states. Some general themes related to these quantum states, such as elementary excitation, Ginzburg-Landau description, spontaneous symmetry breaking, and topological phases of matter will be discussed. This course is intended for both experimentalists and theorists. While there are no official prerequisites, students who would like to take this course are assumed to have sufficient knowledge of quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics.

Assessment: coursework (100%)

PHYS8654 General relativity (6 credits)

This course serves as a graduate-level introduction to general relativity. It provides conceptual skills and analytical tools necessary for astrophysical and cosmological applications of the theory. Topics include: the principle of equivalence; inertial observers in a curved space-time; vectors and tensors; parallel transport and covariant differentiation; the Riemann tensor; the stress-energy tensor; the Einstein gravitational field equations; the Schwarzschild solution; black holes; gravitational waves detected by LIGO and the Friedmann equation.

Assessment: coursework (50%); examination (50%)

PHYS8656 Topics in astrophysics (6 credits)

This course covers high-energy processes, the basic theory of stellar structure and evolution and an introduction to compact objects. It follows a rigorous mathematical treatment that stresses the underlying physical processes. Topics include: Radiation mechanisms; stellar structure equations; polytropic model; elementary stellar radiation processes; simple stellar nuclear processes; stellar formation; late stage of stellar evolution; supernova explosion; compact stars; cosmic rays; numerical solution of stellar structure equation; introduction to astrophysical data analysis. If time permits, additional selected topics will be covered.

Assessment: coursework (50%); examination (50%)

PHYS8701 Physics experimental techniques (6 credits)

This course provides a detailed account of some common experimental techniques in physics research. It introduces the basic working principles, the operational know-how, and the strengths and limitations of the techniques. It will discuss and train students in the following techniques:

1.    Brief review of the use of LabVIEW
2.    Noise, data analysis, and computer grid
3.    Photoluminescence & Raman spectroscopy
4.    Temporal characterisation of laser pulses
5.    Chirped pulse amplification: technique for amplification of laser pulses
6.    Electrical characterisations
7.    Cryogenics and low-noise electrical measurements
8.    Transmission electron microscopy
9.    Electron and X-ray diffraction
10.  Scanning probe microscopy/spectroscopy
11.  Photoemission spectroscopy
12.  Photonic angle-resolved techniques
13.  Nanofabrication techniques
14.  Material synthesis techniques

Assessment: coursework (100%)

PHYS8751 Device physics (6 credits)

The growth of the modern electronics industry over the past 70 years has had a great impact on society and everyday life; with its foundation resting upon the semiconductor physics and devices. This course aims at presenting a comprehensive introductory account of the physics and operational principles of some selected and yet classic semiconductor devices, microelectronic and optoelectronic. The course is primarily designed for postgraduates but can be of interest to senior undergraduates in physics, electrical and electronic engineering and materials science. Students are assumed to have acquired some basic knowledge of quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, and solid-state physics, though a review of the physics of semiconductors will be given at the beginning of the course. The course begins by giving a review of solid-state physics, particularly the physics of semiconductors, followed by discussions of the fundamentals and practical aspects of PN-junctions and rectifying diodes, amplifying and switching devices like bipolar and field-effect transistors (e.g. MOSFET), light-emitting and detection devices such as LEDs, laser diodes, and photodetectors. If time allows, a brief discussion of some special devices will be presented.

Assessment: coursework (50%); examination (50%)

PHYS8850 Topics in particle physics (6 credits)

This course covers selected topics in both theoretical and experimental aspects of particle physics. Topics include: Fundamental particles; symmetry and conservation law; Feynman diagrams; electromagnetic interaction; weak interaction; strong interaction; particle accelerator and detector.

Assessment: coursework (50%); examination (50%)

PHYS8852 Photonics and metamaterials (6 credits)

Over the last two decades, tremendous progress has been made in the manipulation of light propagation using structured photonic media — metamaterials, with negative refraction, super-imaging and invisibility cloaking as the most well-known examples. These new discoveries are paving the way towards many potential applications of photonic structures, including imaging, display, holography and information processing. This course aims at providing a fundamental understanding of the interaction of light with structured media whose unit cells are much smaller than the wavelength of light, as well as the design and functionalities of various metamaterial-based photonic devices. The course text is primarily designed for senior undergraduate students and postgraduate students and requires some knowledge of electromagnetism and optics. On the other hand, it will also be of interest to graduate students since it includes some most recent results in the field of metamaterials and nanophotonics. Topics include: Modelling of the interaction of light with periodic structures, gratings and photonic crystals; coupled mode theory; interaction of light with metals, covering both propagating and localised surface plasmon polaritons; effective-medium description of the unconventional electromagnetic properties of metamaterials, such as negative permeability and negative refraction, zero refraction index, hyperbolic metamaterials, chirality and bi-anisotropy; design of the unit cells of the metamaterials based on plasmonic structures for achieving various electromagnetic properties and functionalities; transformation optics and invisibility cloaks; metamaterial devices, including super-imaging lenses, meta-lenses, metasurface holography, etc.; nonlinear optical properties of metamaterials and metasurfaces; photonic systems with Parity-time symmetry; metamaterial approach for designing the topological properties for light.

Assessment: coursework (50%); examination (50%)

PHYS8971 Capstone project (9 credits)

This capstone course provides students with the opportunity to study a specific research-type problem by themselves, either theoretical, experimental or numerical, under the supervision of an academic staff using the knowledge that the student gained in their entire MSc study. For theoretical and numerical projects: Students will receive training in research literature reading and reviewing, and make investigation which is close to research work in nature. Students may need to perform some original calculations, to fill in mathematical gaps of some sophisticated derivations, or a combination of both. For numerical projects, students also need to use computers to find numerical or simulation results. For experimental projects: Students will carry out experiments in research labs and receive a comprehensive training in advanced experimental techniques, including preparation of samples, determination of physical properties, measurement of small signals obscured by noise, laser, high-vacuum and low-temperature techniques and so on. Wide reading of the relevant scientific literature and originality in experimental design are expected. 

It is expected that most of the projects will involve teamwork.

Prerequisite: Pass or already enrolled in PHYS8970.

Assessment: oral presentation (30%); written report (70%)