Programs
Program Objectives
The main objectives of the Department in the undergraduate and graduate programs are those listed below:
- A) The Undergraduate Program
The undergraduate physics program is designed to prepare its graduates to:
- Produce skilled manpower of well trained physicists capable of taking positions in the growing demand of the various sectors of the economy such as various industries, and learning institutions, research institutions, as well as various environmental conservation endeavors of the country; be ready to enter and complete programs of graduate study in physics and related disciplines.
- Produce graduates with sufficient background knowledge and competency to understand and make use of developments in basic science and technology throughout their professional lives.
- disseminate knowledge in physics and related areas through active participation in related professional activities, such as Physical Society of Ethiopia, Regional Networking, Workshops, Symposium, and producing publication;
- Produce physicists who create job opportunities by applying the acquired knowledge and skills.
- B) The Graduate Program
The MSc Program
The graduate program is designed for students who would eventually:
- Pursue a career in teaching and/ or research.
- Pursue a career in industry, government or private organizations.
The graduates are expected to have:
- Intellectual and communication skills necessary to present and articulate research findings in verbal and written formats.
- Skills of numerical manipulations, analytical analysis, and data analysis using computer software.
The PhD Program
The main objectives of the PhD programs are:
- To train graduate students who would eventually become academic staff of higher educational and research institutions
- To initiate, promote, and foster research in various areas of physics
Motto, logo
Courses:
The courses offered by the Department in the undergraduate and graduate programs are those listed below:
- BSc Program
- Compulsory Modules and Courses
| Title of Module | Module Code | ECTS | Course Title | Old Course Code | Course Code | Cr. Hr. | ECTS |
| Fundamental Physics | Phys-M2011 | 20 | Mechanics | Phys201 | Phys2011 | 4 | 7 |
| Experimental Physics I | Phys211 | Phys2012 | 2 | 3 | |||
| Electromagnetism | Phys202 | Phys2013 | 4 | 7 | |||
| Experimental Physics II | Phys212 | Phys2014 | 2 | 3 | |||
| Optics | Phys-M3021 | 11 | Wave and Optics | Phys203 | Phys3021 | 2 | 3 |
| Modern Optics | Phys371 | Phys3022 | 3 | 5 | |||
| Experimental Physics III | Phys312 | Phys3023 | 2 | 3 | |||
| Mathematical Methods of Physics | Phys-M3031 | 10 | Mathematical Methods of Physics I | Phys301 | Phys3031 | 3 | 5 |
| Mathematical Methods of Physics II | Phys302 | Phys3032 | 3 | 5 | |||
| Classical Mechanics | Phys-M3041 | 10 | Classical Mechanics I | Phys331 | Phys3041 | 3 | 5 |
| Classical Mechanics II | Phys432 | Phys3042 | 3 | 5 | |||
| Nuclear Physics | Phys-M3051 | 8 | Nuclear Physics I | Phys382 | Phys4051 | 3 | 5 |
| Experimental Physics IV | Phys411 | Phys4052 | 2 | 3 | |||
| Introduction to Solid State Physics and Electronics | Phys-M3061 | 10 | Solid State Physics I | Phys451 | Phys3061 | 3 | 5 |
| Electronics I | Phys353 | Phys3062 | 3 | 5 | |||
| Quantum Mechanics | Phys-M3071 | 15 | Modern Physics | Phys242 | Phys3071 | 3 | 5 |
| Quantum Mechanics I | Phys342 | Phys3072 | 3 | 5 | |||
| Quantum Mechanics II | Phys441 | Phys3073 | 3 | 5 | |||
| Electrodynamics | Phys-M4081 | 10 | Electrodynamics I | Phys376 | Phys4081 | 3 | 5 |
| Electrodynamics II | Phys476 | Phys4082 | 3 | 5 | |||
| Statistical Mechanics | Phys-M4091 | 10 | Statistical Mechanics I | Phys321 | Phys4091 | 3 | 5 |
| Statistical Mechanics II | Phys422 | Phys4092 | 3 | 5 | |||
| Sustainable Sources of Energy | Phys-M4101 | 3 | Sustainable Sources of Energy | Phys461 | Phys4101 | 2 | 3 |
| Introduction to Computational Physics | Phys-M4111 | 5 | Introduction to Computational Physics | Phys402 | Phys4111 | 3 | 5 |
| Research Methods and Senior Project | Phys-M4121 | 7 | Research Methods and Senior Project | Phys492 | Phys4121 | 4 | 7 |
| Total Compulsory | 119 | 72 | 119 | ||||
- Elective Modules and Courses
| Title of Module | Module Code | ECTS | Course Title | Old Course Code | Course Code | Cr. Hr. | ECTS |
| Metrology | Phys`-M4132 |
15 |
Metrology I | Phys316 | Phys4131 | 3 | 5 |
| Metrology II | Phys415 | Phys4132 | 3 | 5 | |||
| Metrology III | Phys416 | Phys4133 | 3 | 5 | |||
| Nuclear Physics and Applications | Phys-M4142 |
15 |
Nuclear Physics II | Phys482 | Phys4141 | 3 | 5 |
| Radiation Physics | Phys484 | Phys4142 | 3 | 5 | |||
| Introduction to Medical Physics | Phys384 | Phys4143 | 3 | 5 | |||
| Solid State Physics and Electronic Devices | Phys-M4152 |
15 |
Solid State physics II | Phys452 | Phys4151 | 3 | 5 |
| Physics of Electronic Devices | Phys454 | Phys4152 | 3 | 5 | |||
| Electronics II | Phys456 | Phys4153 | 3 | 5 | |||
|
Atmospheric and Space Physics |
Phys-M4162 |
15 |
Introduction to Plasma Physics | Phys436 | Phys4161 | 3 | 5 |
| Introduction to Atmospheric Physics | Phys439 | Phys4162 | 3 | 5 | |||
| Space Physics | Phys463 | Phys4163 | 3 | 5 | |||
| Astronomy | Phys-M4172 |
10 |
Astronomy I | Phys437 | Phys4171 | 3 | 5 |
| Astronomy II | Phys438 | Phys4172 | 3 | 5 | |||
| Geophysics | Phys-M4182 |
10 |
General Geophysics | Phys369 | Phys4181 | 3 | 5 |
| Exploration Geophysics | Phys468 | Phys4182 | 3 | 5 | |||
| Stellar Physics | Phys-M4192 |
10 |
Stellar Physics I | Phys434 | Phys4191 | 3 | 5 |
| Stellar Physics II | Phys435 | Phys4192 | 3 | 5 | |||
| Physics Teaching | Phys-M4202 | 5 | Physics Teaching | Phys409 | Phys4201 | 3 | 5 |
| Environmental Physics | Phys-M4212 | 5 | Environmental Physics | Phys367 | Phys4211 | 3 | 5 |
| Introduction to Laser Physics | Phys-M4222 | 5 | Introduction to Laser Physics | Phys471 | Phys4221 | 3 | 5 |
III. Service Modules and Courses
| Title of Module | Module Code | ECTS | Course Title | Old Course Code | Course Code | Cr. Hr. | ECTS | |
| Mechanics and Thermodynamics | Phys-M2233 | 7 | Mechanics and Thermodynamics | Phys207 | Phys2231 | 4 | 7 | |
| Basic Physics | Phys-M2243 |
10 |
Mechanics and Heat | Phys205 | Phys2241 | 3 | 5 | |
| Electricity and Magnetism | Phys206 | Phys2242 | 3 | 5 |
- Service Modules and Courses
| Module Name | Module Code | ECTS | Course Title | Old Course Code | Course Code | Cr. Hr. | ECTS |
| Basic Calculus in one variable | Math-M2023 | 14 | Calculus I | Math261 | Math2021 | 4 | 7 |
| Calculus II | Math262 | Math2022 | 4 | 7 | |||
| Introduction to Linear Algebra | Math-M2193 | 5 | Introduction to Linear Algebra | Math325 | Math2191 | 3 | 5 |
| Introduction to programming | CoSc-M1213 | 13 | Introduction to Computer Science | Comp201 | CoSc1211 | 4 | 6 |
| Fundamentals of Programming | Comp271 | CoSc1212 | 4 | 7 | |||
| 32 | 19 | 32 |
- MSc Program
The MSc program have two options: Thesis or Project. MSc students are expected to be assigned to take the thesis based or project based modules.
| Compulsory Module | |||
| Module No. | Course No. | Course Title | ECTS |
| Phys-M600 | Phys 601 | Mathematical Methods of Physics | 7 |
| Phys 602 | Electromagnetic Theory | 8 | |
| Phys 603 | Statistical Mechanics | 7 | |
| Phys 604 | Quantum Mechanics | 8 | |
| Phys 606 | Computational Physics | 7 | |
| Phys 605 | Experimental Physics | 7 | |
| Phys 607 | Classical Mechanics | 7 | |
Specialization Modules and Courses
| Specialization Modules | |||
| Module No. | Course No. | Course Title | ECTS |
| Phys-M711 | Phys 711 | Principles of Lasers and their Applications | 8 |
| Phys 713 | Laser Spectroscopy I | 8 | |
| Phys 715 | Phase Integral Method I | 8 | |
| Phys 717 | Phase Integral Method II | 8 | |
| Phys-M721 | Phys 721 | Space Physics I | 8 |
| Phys 723 | Space Physics II | 8 | |
| Phys-M731 | Phys 731 | Introduction to Atmospheric Physics | 8 |
| Phys 733 | Radiative Transfer in the Atmosphere | 8 | |
| Phys-M741 | Phys 741 | Condensed Matter Physics I | 8 |
| Phys 743 | Condensed Matter Physics II | 8 | |
| Phys 745 | Polymer Physics | 8 | |
| Phys 747 | The Physics of Solar Cells | 8 | |
| Phys-M751 | Phys 751 | Relativistic Astrophysics | 8 |
| Phys 753 | Stellar Equilibrium and Evolution | 8 | |
| Phys-M761 | Phys 761 | Nuclear Physics I | 8 |
| Phys 763 | Nuclear Physics II | 8 | |
| Phys 765 | Imaging Physics I | 8 | |
| Phys 767 | Imaging Physics II | 8 | |
| Phys-M771 | Phys 771 | Statistical Physics I | 8 |
| Phys 773 | Statistical Physics II | 8 | |
| Phys 775 | Advanced Computational Physics | 8 | |
| Phys 777 | Computational Materials physics
terials Physics |
8 | |
| Phys-M781 | Phys 781 | Quantum Field Theory I | 8 |
| Phys 783 | Quantum Field Theory II | 8 | |
| Phys-M791 | Phys 791 | Quantum Optics I | 8 |
| Phys 793 | Quantum Optics II | 8 | |
| Phys-M792 | Phys 799/798 | Graduate Thesis/Project | 30/23 |
Specialization Areas
The MSc program is delivered in thirteen specialization areas listed below:
- Laser Spectroscopy
- Space Physics
- Atmospheric Physics
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Astronomy – Astrophysics
- Imaging Physics
- Nuclear Physics
- Statistical Physics
- Quantum Field Theory
- Quantum Optics
- Polymer Physics
- Modeling and Simulation of Novel Materials
- Phase Integral Method
Graduation Requirements
- A graduate student must take the seven courses from the compulsory module (49 ECTS) with a minimum CGPA of 3.00 and with no grades below “D” in any of the courses.
- In addition, a graduate student who aspires to do thesis/project must take two courses (16 ECTS) from the specialization module, and a graduate thesis/project.
- The graduate student must undertake a graduate thesis/project on an approved topic under the supervision of an advisor. Whether a graduate student will undertake a graduate project or thesis will be decided by the student in consultation with his advisor, and subsequently needs the approval of DGC.
- The graduate thesis shall constitute individual effort to carry out a fairly adequate investigation of a selected problem in theoretical or experimental physics.
- The graduate student must satisfactorily defend the graduate thesis/project work before an examination committee.
- The examination committee, both for thesis and project, shall be composed of two examiners, the advisor and a chairman as set by the University. The advisor will be excused during the final evaluation (grading) session. A thesis which is defended and accepted by the examination committee shall be rated as “Excellent”, “Very Good”, “Good”, or “Satisfactory”. A rejected thesis shall be rated as “Fail”. On the other hand a project which is defended and accepted by the examination committee shall be rated with letter grades, similar to the other courses.
- The graduate student must also fulfill all other requirements set by the University.
Specialization Areas and Courses
A graduate student is expected to choose one of the following areas of specialization.
- Laser Spectroscopy
| Module No. | Course No. | Course Title | ECTS |
| Phys-M711 | Phys 711 | Principles of Lasers and their Applications | 8 |
| Phys 713 | Laser Spectroscopy I | 8 | |
| Phys-M792 | Phys 799/789 | Graduate Thesis/Project | 30/23 |
- Space Physics
| Module No. | Course No. | Course Title | ECTS |
| Phys-M721 | Phys 721 | Space Physics I | 8 |
| Phys 723 | Space Physics II | 8 | |
| Phys-M792 | Phys 799/789 | Graduate Thesis/Project | 30/23 |
III. Atmospheric Physics
| Module No. | Course No. | Course Title | ECTS |
| Phys-M731 | Phys 731 | Introduction to Atmospheric Physics | 8 |
| Phys 733 | Radiative Transfer in the Atmosphere | 8 | |
| Phys-M792 | Phys 799/789 | Graduate Thesis/Project | 30/23 |
- Condensed Matter Physics
| Module No. | Course No. | Course Title | ECTS |
| Phys-M741 | Phys 741 | Condensed Matter Physics I | 8 |
| Phys 743 | Condensed Matter Physics II | 8 | |
| Phys-M792 | Phys 799/789 | Graduate Thesis/Project | 30/23 |
- Astronomy-Astrophysics
| Module No. | Course No. | Course Title | ECTS |
| Phys-M751 | Phys 751 | Relativistic Astrophysics | 8 |
| Phys 753 | Stellar Equilibrium and Evolution | 8 | |
| Phys-M792 | Phys 799/789 | Graduate Thesis/Project | 30/23 |
- Nuclear Physics
| Module No. | Course No. | Course Title | ECTS |
| Phys-M761 | Phys 761 | Nuclear Physics I | 8 |
| Phys 763 | Nuclear Physics II | 8 | |
| Phys-M792 | Phys 799/789 | Graduate Thesis/Project | 30/23 |
VII. Imaging Physics
| Module No. | Course No. | Course Title | ECTS |
| Phys-M761 | Phys 765 | Imaging Physics I | 8 |
| Phys 767 | Imaging Physics II | 8 | |
| Phys-M792 | Phys 799/789 | Graduate Thesis/Project | 30/23 |
VIII. Statistical Physics
| Module No. | Course No. | Course Title | ECTS |
| Phys-M771 | Phys 771 | Statistical Physics I | 8 |
| Phys 773 | Statistical Physics II | 8 | |
| Phys-M792 | Phys 799/789 | Graduate Thesis/Project | 30/23 |
- Quantum Field Theory
| Module No. | Course No. | Course Title | ECTS |
| Phys-M781 | Phys 781 | Quantum Field Theory I | 8 |
| Phys 783 | Quantum Field Theory II | 8 | |
| Phys-M792 | Phys 799/789 | Graduate Thesis/Project | 30/23 |
- Quantum Optics
| Module No. | Course No. | Course Title | ECTS |
| Phys-M791 | Phys 791 | Quantum Optics I | 8 |
| Phys 793 | Quantum Optics II | 8 | |
| Phys-M792 | Phys 799/789 | Graduate Thesis/Project | 30/23 |
- Modeling and Simulation of Novel Materials
| Module No. | Course No. | Course Title | ECTS |
| Phys-M771 | Phys 775 | Advanced Computational Physics | 8 |
| Phys 777 | Computational Materials Physics | 8 | |
| Phys-M792 | Phys 799/789 | Graduate Thesis/Project | 30/23 |
XII. Polymer Physics
| Module No. | Course No. | Course Title | ECTS |
| Phys-M741 | Phys 745 | Polymer Physics | 8 |
| Phys 747 | Physics of Solar Cells | 8 | |
| Phys-M792 | Phys 799/789 | Graduate Thesis/Project | 30/23 |
XIII. Phase Integral Methods
| Module No. | Course No. | Course Title | ECTS |
| Phys-M711 | Phys 715 | Phase Integral Method I | 8 |
| Phys 717 | Phase Integral Method II | 8 | |
| Phys-M792 | Phys 799/789 | Graduate Thesis/Project | 30/23 |
- PhD Program
Courses and Specialization Areas
A PhD student must take five courses from one of the following options.
12.1 Laser Spectroscopy
Course code Course title Cr. hrs ECTS
Phys 811 Laser Spectroscopy II 3 7
Phys 813 Laser Physics 3 7
Phys 892 Special Topics 3 8
Phys 895 Seminar I 1 2
Phys 896 Seminar II 2 5
Phys 899 PhD Dissertation — —
12.2 Space Physics
Course code Course title Cr. Hrs ECTS
Phys 821 Advanced Plasma Physics 3 7
Phys 823 Computational Atmospheric and Space Physics 3 7 Phys 892 Special Topics 3 8
Phys 895 Seminar I 1 2
Phys 896 Seminar II 2 5
Phys 899 PhD Dissertation — —
12 29
12.3 Atmospheric Physics
Course code Course title Cr. Hrs ECTS
Phys 831 The Middle Atmosphere 3 7
Phys 823 Computational Atmospheric and Space Physics 3 7
Phys 892 Special Topics 3 8
Phys 895 Seminar I 1 2
Phys 896 Seminar II 2 5
Phys 899 PhD Dissertation — —
12 29
12.4 Condensed Matter Physics
Course code Course title Cr. Hrs ECTS
Phys 841 Condensed Matter Physics III 3 7
Phys 843 Interaction of Light with Condensed Matter 3 7
Phys 892 Special Topics 3 8
Phys 895 Seminar I 1 2
Phys 896 Seminar II 2 5
Phys 899 PhD Dissertation — —
12 29
12.5 Astronomy-Astrophysics
Course code Course title Cr. Hrs ECTS
Phys 851 Cosmology 3 7
Phys 885 Quantum Electrodynamics 3 7
Phys 892 Special Topics 3 8
Phys 895 Seminar I 1 2
Phys 896 Seminar II 2 5
Phys 899 PhD Dissertation — —
12 _ 29
12.6 Nuclear Physics
Course code Course title Cr. Hrs ECTS
Phys 861 Nuclear Physics III 3 7
Phys 883 Particle Physics 3 7
Phys 892 Special Topics 3 8
Phys 895 Seminar I 1 2
Phys 896 Seminar II 2 5
Phys 899 PhD Dissertation — —
12 29
12.7 Statistical Physics
Course code Course title Cr. Hrs ECTS
Phys 871 Statistical Physics III 3 7
Phys 873 Nonlinear Dynamics 3 7
Phys 892 Special Topics 3 8
Phys 895 Seminar I 1 2
Phys 896 Seminar II 2 5
Phys 899 PhD Dissertation — —
12 29
12.8 Quantum Field Theory
Course code Course title Cr. Hrs ECTS
Phys 881 Quantum Field Theory III 3 7
Phys 883 Particle Physics 3 7
Phys 892 Special Topics 3 8
Phys 895 Seminar I 1 2
Phys 896 Seminar II 2 5
Phys 899 PhD Dissertation — —
12 29
12.9 Quantum Optics
Course code Course title Cr. Hrs ECTS
Phys 891 Quantum Optics III 3 7
Phys 885 Quantum Electrodynamics 3 7
Phys 892 Special Topics 3 8
Phys 895 Seminar I 1 2
Phys 896 Seminar II 2 5
Phys 899 PhD Dissertation — —
12 29
12.10 Polymer Physics
Course code Course title Cr. Hrs ECTS
Phys 845 Semiconductors 3 7
Phys 847 Surfaces and Interfaces in Semiconductor Devices 3 7
Phys 892 Special Topics 3 8
Phys 895 Seminar I 1 2
Phys 896 Seminar II 2 5
Phys 899 PhD Dissertation — —
12 29
In addition students are required to pursue a research project to be carried out in some area of physics, i.e., PhD dissertation (Phys 899).
Admission Requirements
The BSc Program
- To be admitted to the BSc program in Physics, a candidate should satisfy the general admission requirements of the University and must have at least a pass grade in Physics and Mathematics in the Department Entrance Examination.
The MSc Program
In order to be admitted to the MSc program
- The applicant must have a BSc degree in physics or related field.
- The performance of the applicant in the MSc entrance examination must be satisfactory.
- The applicant must also meet the general admission requirements of the University.
The PhD Program
In order to be admitted to the PhD program, the applicant must
- Have MSc degree in physics.
- Manage to get a suitable advisor for his PhD dissertation.
- Also meet the general admission requirements of the University.
Number of Programs Currently the Department runs the following three programs:
- Undergraduate Program (BSc)
- Graduate Programs
- MSc
- PhD
Current Number of Students
In the 2018/19 A.Y. the Department is hosting about 88 undergraduate and 20 MSc, and 62 PhD students.
