under grahkjdute physics program11!04!2004-(latest)

College of Sciences

Physics Department

Undergraduate program in physics

B.Sc. in General Physics1424 H (2003 G)

TABLE OF CONTENT

1 INTRODUCTION_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________2

1. 1 KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM & MINERALS_____________________________________________________________________________2

1. 2 THE DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS____________________________________________________________________________________________________2

1. 3 OBJECTIVES OF THE DEPARTMENT________________________________________________________________________________________________2

1. 4 MAJORING IN PHYSICS____________________________________________________________________________________________________________2

1. 5 WHO BECOMES A PHYSICIST?_____________________________________________________________________________________________________3

1. 6 EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES___________________________________________________________________________________________________3

1. 7 TEACHING PHYSICS AT KFUPM____________________________________________________________________________________________________3

2 DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES_____________________________________________________________________________________________________3

3 COURSE REQUIREMENTS FOR B.S. DEGREE IN PHYSICS_________________________________________________________________________4

3. 1 B.S. DEGREE REQUIREMENTS______________________________________________________________________________________________________4

3. 2 PHYSICS CURRICULUM____________________________________________________________________________________________________________5

3. 3 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS___________________________________________________________________________________________________________6

4 DEPARTMENT FACILITIES____________________________________________________________________________________________________12

4. 1 TEACHING FACILITIES___________________________________________________________________________________________________________12

4. 1. 1 THE GENERAL PHYSICS LABORATORIES________________________________________________________________________________________________12

4. 1. 2 THE COMPUTER AIDED LEARNING (CAL) LABORATORY_________________________________________________________________________________12

4. 1. 3 SMART CLASS ROOM___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________12

4. 1. 4 THE PHYSICS EXHIBITION ROOM_______________________________________________________________________________________________________13

4. 1. 5 COMPUTER ROOM______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________13

4. 2 RESEARCH FACILITIES___________________________________________________________________________________________________________13

4. 2. 1 THE SURFACE SCIENCE LABORATORY__________________________________________________________________________________________________13

4. 2. 2 THE SUPERCONDUCTIVITY LABORATORY______________________________________________________________________________________________13

4. 2. 3 THE RADIATION PHYSICS LABORATORY________________________________________________________________________________________________13

4. 3 OTHER FACILITIES_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________13

4. 3. 1 THE ELECTRONIC WORKSHOP__________________________________________________________________________________________________________13

4. 3. 2 THE CRYOGENIC WORKSHOP___________________________________________________________________________________________________________14

4. 3. 3 THE MACHINE SHOP____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________14

5 FACULTY____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________14

1

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM & MINERALS

King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, located in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, is one of the oldest technical universities in the Kingdom. The

setting for the university is a limestone JABAL on the Dhahran oil-bearing formation where oil was first discovered. The University overlooks the Arabian Gulf

from a height of 30 m above sea level, blending beautifully with the rugged landscape. The architecture of the University is unique in that it combines modern

building techniques with distinctive Islamic features.

The University has been in existence since 1963 and has a special responsibility to the Kingdom for setting high academic standards in the development of

science and engineering and for providing trained manpower to make the best use of the Kingdom's resources.

The University with its common goal of excellence covering all departments is held in high regard by other universities inside and outside the Kingdom.

Great care is taken to ensure that only high quality students are accepted and that highly qualified faculty are employed. The material taught is continuously

reviewed and kept fully up-to-date.

Advancement in the fields of science and engineering is taking place at a very rapid rate. To keep pace with this development both the graduate and

undergraduate programs are designed to cover a wide range of disciplines including; the preparatory year; science; applied engineering; engineering science;

industrial management; environmental design; computer science and computer engineering.

1.2 THE DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

One of the great needs in Saudi Arabia today is for scientists with a deep insight into the laws of nature to work in areas of fundamental and applied research, thus

creating an intellectual foundation upon which further technological advancements can be achieved. The Department of Physics was established in recognition of

this need. Being one of the first departments to be established at the University, it is today one of the largest with 40 faculty members (6 professors, 10 associate

professors, 15 assistant professors and 9 lecturers), 1 graduate assistant, 3 research assistants, 14 supporting staff members, 28 students and 6 graduate students.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE DEPARTMENT

The objectives of the Department are extensive and include educational and research programs of internationally recognized standards, designed to prepare

students for scientific positions in or out of academia. Services are being offered by the department both locally and nationwide. Locally, the department teaches

general physics to all students including those in the College of Industrial Management and the College of Environmental Design. In addition, the department

offers short courses for high school teachers, industry and hospital personnel, etc. The department also supplies other institutions with liquid Nitrogen and Helium

produced in its cryogenic facility.

1.4 MAJORING IN PHYSICS

In physics the subjects are studied from the point of view of understanding the underlying concept rather than just purely applying them, as is the case in

engineering disciplines. Physicists, therefore, receive a much broader training in the fundamentals of science.

Each program at KFUPM is a blend of basic and specialized topics. The physics program is no exception. This is in line with the world-wide trend. Since the

invention of computers in the fifties and the newly emerging nuclear industry in the sixties, universities over the world have introduced specialized programs to

prepare physicists to move into these newly emerging fields.

The department of physics at KFUPM now offers physics graduates the opportunity to specialize in various fields such as Nuclear Physics, Elementary Particles,

Lasers and Condensed Matter, and Medical Physics. Students, who do not wish to specialize in physics but, instead, pursue a career in teaching or move into

related field such as engineering or computer science, are given a solid background in all main areas. However, if s student has an inborn desire to study the pure

sciences, he will have the opportunity to develop his major. Once he graduates, he will realize that there are many and diverse opportunities for him to use his

unique talents at the frontiers of the industrial and academic world.

1.5 WHO BECOMES A PHYSICIST?

The person who studies and practices physics must be interested in the physical world around him. He must have an inquiring mind and must always ask

questions and try to find answers to them. Why is glass transparent? What are the unifying laws of the universe? How are TV pictures transmitted across the

continents? The study of physics enables one to answer these and other fundamental questions.

A physicist therefore needs the broadest possible training as his field overlaps with those of mathematicians, chemists, engineers, and so on, and the reward is

great! Besides the satisfaction of finding answers to fundamental questions, his training, which is the most versatile of all branches of science, gives enormous

opportunities for a wide variety of employment.

1.6 EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Most technological advances and inventions ranging from the steam engine to the fastest computer are based on physics. One of the basic things a physicist learns

is the scientific approach to problem-solving, namely, identifying a problem, analyzing it, and finally, developing ways of solving it. This makes it easy for a

physicist to fit in many fields, outside his specialty and be involved in most aspects of technological development.

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As we look to the future in Saudi Arabia, there are clearly technical manpower needs that are being planned for. However, there are many needs that cannot be

foreseen and for those needs physicists will be needed. The physics major has been and will be the safety valve in the technological manpower needs of the

Kingdom, as in all technologically advanced nations. However there is no need for every student to become a physicist but those scientifically gifted students

who opt for careers in physics need to have their special talents developed fully so that they can make a maximum contribution to the scientific, academic and

industrial growth of the country. Graduates of the KFUPM Physics Department are employed in research, teaching, computer programming and design. One finds

KFUPM Physics students graduates working for firms such as ARAMCO, the Saudi Arabian Standards Organization, King Abdulaziz City for Science and

Technology, the Chemical Industry, the Royal Saudi Forces, and many other private businesses. In addition, many of our students receive government

scholarships and pursue graduate studies at universities abroad.

1.7 TEACHING PHYSICS AT KFUPM

Introductory physics courses are required for all KFUPM Students. These are conducted in both large and small lecture formats.

In upper level courses students enjoy the atmosphere of small classes, where a closer working relationship is established between students and instructors.

Lectures are supplemented by tutorial sessions, class notes, and worked examples. Text books are constantly reviewed for the quality of their contents and

educational approach, and are replaced as more current material becomes available.

Most of the Laboratory experiments and procedures are designed by our faculty. Audiovisual facilities and films from the Physical Science Study Committee and

other sources are available for demonstrating concepts prior to laboratory experiments.

Examinations are given during each course. These and other assignments are graded, corrected, and returned promptly, keeping faculty members continually

aware of the performance and progress of each student. In addition, the faculty allocates office time for the sole purpose of consultation with students and are

happy to advise and counsel students whenever the need arises.

Another safeguard to success is the advisor system. Each student is assigned an advisor who is in touch with and aware of his progress, taking a personal interest

in his course of study.

2 DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES

Department faculty members are involved in various extra curricula activities such as holding exhibitions, giving public lectures, preparing posters related to their

area of research such as Medical Physics, surface science, or Superconductivity. Other activities include sky seeing, visits to high schools to deliver lectures as

well as receiving visits of students from different high schools in the area. The department holds weekly formal seminars as well as weekly informal gathering in

which various topics in Physics, Math or any other topics related to education are discussed. The department also holds, every semester, a party to honor those

students who scored A+ in Physics 101 and/or Physics 102.

Some faculty members are involved in the high school gifted students program that KFUPM hosts every summer. Other members are involved in delivering short

courses to male as well as female high school Physics teachers. The short courses were well received by the participants.

3 COURSE REQUIREMENTS FOR B.S. DEGREE IN PHYSICS

3.1 B.S. DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Every student majoring in Physics must complete the following curriculum:

i) General Education Courses (61 credit hours)

ii) Core Courses (33 credit hours)

iii) Physics Elective Courses (12 credit hours)

iv) Mathematics Electives (6 credit hours)

v) Free Electives ( 9 credit hours)

Each student is expected to take 9 credit hours of free electives where at least 6 credit hours should be from outside his program.

vi) Summer Training (2 credit hours)

vii) Total Requirements (123 credit hours)

Students are required to spend eight weeks in summer working in industry prior to the term in which they expect to graduate. They will be required to write a

report and present it in a seminar at the Department.

Each student must take a total of 12 credit hours from the following physics elective courses:

The total required credits for the B.Sc. degree in Physics are 123 semester-credit-hours.

Subject Courses Credit Hours

Classical Mechanics II PHYS 302 3

Laser Molecular Spectroscopy PHYS 307 3

Astrophysics PHYS 315 3

Physics of Nuclear Reactors PHYS 323 3

Radiation & Health Physics PHYS 353 4

Introduction to Medical Physics PHYS 365 3

3

Methods of Theoretical Physics PHYS 371 3

Intro. to Computational Physics PHYS 373 3

Selected Experiments in Physics PHYS 404 2

Advanced Optics PHYS 411 3

Physics of Lasers PHYS 412 3

Cosmology and the Early Universe PHYS 416 3

Nuclear & Particle Physics PHYS 422 3

Introduction to Solid State Physics PHYS 432 3

Introduction to the Physics of Surface PHYS 434 3

Superconductivity PHYS 435 3

Particle Physics PHYS 441 3

Relativistic Quantum Mechanics PHYS 442 3

Introduction to Plasma Physics PHYS 461 3

Selected Topics in Physics PHYS 493 3

Guided Studies PHYS 495 1

3.2 PHYSICS CURRICULUM

COURSE TITLE LT LB CR COURSE TITLE LT LB CR

First Year (Preparatory)

ENGL 001 Preparatory English I 15 5 8 ENGL 002 002 Preparatory English II 15 5 8

MATH 001 Preparatory Math I 3 1 4 MATH 002 002 Preparatory Math II 3 1 4

ME 001 001 Preparatory Shop I 0 2 1 ME 002 002 Preparatory Shop II 0 2 1

PE 001 Prep Physical Education I 0 2 1 PE 002 002 Prep Physical Educ II 0 2 1

18 10 14 18 10 14

Total credits required in Preparatory Program: 28

Second Year (Freshman)

CHEM 101 General Chemistry I 3 4 4 CHEM 102 102 General Chemistry II 3 4 4

ENGL 101 English Composition I 3 0 3 ENGL 102 102 English Composition II 3 0 3

IAS 111 Belief & Its Consequences 2 0 2 MATH 102 102 Calculus II 4 0 4

MATH 101 Calculus I 4 0 4 PE 102 102 Physical Education II 0 2 1

PE 101 Physical Education I 0 2 1 PHYS 102 102 General Physics II 3 3 4

PHYS 101 General Physics I 3 3 4 ____________

15 9 18 13 9 16

Third Year (Sophomore)

ENGL 214 Tech. Rep. Writing 3 0 3 IAS 211 211 Ethics in Islam 2 0 2

IAS 101 Practical Grammar 2 0 2 MATH 202 202 Elementary Diff. Eqn. 3 0 3

MATH 201 Calculus III 3 0 3 MATH xxx xxx (Math Elective I) 3 0 3

PHYS 211 Optics 2 3 3 PHYS 212 212 Modern Physics 3 3 4

ICS 101 Computer Program 2 3 3 xxx xxx xxx (Free Elec. I) 3 0 3

12 6 14 14 3 15

Fourth Year (Junior)

IAS 201 Arabic Writing 2 0 2

GS xxx Social & Behavioral Sci. 3 0 3 IAS 311 311 Shareah: Objectives & Sys. 2 0 2

PHYS 301 Classical Mechanics I 3 0 3 PHYS 304 304 Experimental Physics II 1 3 2

PHYS 303 Experimental Physics I 2 3 3 PHYS 306 306 Electricity & Magnetism II 3 0 3

MATH xxx (Math Elective II) 3 0 3 xxx xxx (Free Elective II) 3 0 3

PHYS 305 Electricity & Magnetism I 3 0 3 PHYS 401 401 Quantum Mech. & Appl. I 3 0 3

16 3 17 12 3 13

PHYS 399 Summer Training 0 0 2

4

Fifth Year (Senior)

IAS 301 Styles of Literature 2 0 2

PHYS 402 Quantum Mech. & Appl. II 3 0 3 IAS 4xx 4xx (Islamic Studies Elective) 2 0 2

PHYS 403 Senior Physics Lab 0 6 2 PHYS xxx xxx (Physics Elective II) 3 0 3

PHYS xxx (Physics Elective I) 3 0 3 PHYS 4xx 4xx (Physics Elective III) 3 0 3

PHYS 409 Physics Seminar 1 0 1 PHYS 4xx 4xx (Physics Elective IV) 3 0 3

PHYS 430 Thermal & Statistical Phys. 3 0 3 xxx xxx (Free Elective III) 3 0 3

12 6 14 14 0 14

Total credits required in Degree Program: 123

3.3 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

PHYS 101 General Physics I (3-3-4)

First course of calculus-based, general physics sequence. Particle kinematics and dynamics; conservation of energy and linear momentum;

rotational kinematics; rigid body dynamics; conservation of angular momentum; simple harmonic motion; gravitation; the statics and

dynamics of fluids.

Corequisite: MATH 101

PHYS 102 General Physics II (3-3-4)

A continuation of PHYS 101. Wave motion and sound; temperature, first and second law of thermodynamics; kinetic theory of gases;

Coulomb’s law; the electric field; Gauss’ law; electric potential; capacitors and dielectrics; D.C. circuits; the magnetic field; Ampere’s and

Faraday’s laws.

Prerequisite: PHYS 101

Co-requisite: MATH 102

PHYS 133 Principles of Physics (3-3-4)

This is a non-calculus based physics course. Particle kinematics and dynamics, work, energy, and power. Kinetic theory of gases.

Temperature, first and second laws of thermodynamics. Heat transfer. Wave motion and sound. Electricity and magnetism. Light and

optics.

Prerequisite: None

PHYS 201 General Physics III (3-3-4)

A continuation of PHYS 101 and 102. Inductance; magnetic properties of matter, electromagnetic oscillations and waves; geometrical and

physical optics. Relativity, introduction to quantum physics, atomic and molecular physics, nuclear physics, particle physics and

cosmology.

Prerequisite: PHYS 102, MATH 102

For non-Physics Majors

PHYS 203 Electrical and Magnetic Properties of Materials (3-0-3)

Concepts of Modern Physics: photons, electronic structure of isolated atoms; atoms bonding, crystal structure, energy bands in solids,

insulators, semiconductors and conductors; electrons and holes in semiconductors, drift and diffusion, mobility, recombination and

lifetime, conductivity; PN junctions, I (V) characteristic, applications; photo detectors, Light emitting diodes, Solar-cell, Bipolar transistor,

MOSFET and JFET, Lasers, Magnetic Properties, Use of computer to simulate the effect of various physical properties of semiconductors

on the I (V) characteristics of devices.


PHYS 211 Optics (2-3-3)

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An introductory course in Geometrical and Physical Optics. Nature and propagation of light; image formation-paraxial approximation;

optical instruments; superposition of waves; standing waves beats; Fourier analysis of harmonic periodic waves and wavepackets; two-

beam and multiple-beam interference; polarization; Fraunhofer and Fresnel diffraction; holography; lasers.


PHYS 212 Modern Physics (3-3-4)

Special relativity; quantum mechanics: the particle and wave aspects of matter; quantum mechanics in one and three dimensions, quantum

theory of the hydrogen atom; atomic physics; statistical physics; selected topics in solid state physics; nuclear physics.


Not open for credit to students who have taken PHYS 201.

PHYS 215 Introduction to Astronomy (3-0-3)

Celestial mechanics; the solar system; stellar measurement; stellar magnitudes and spectra; galaxies; cosmology.


PHYS 261 Energy (3-0-3)

A survey of energy sources and resources; a quantitative evaluation of energy technologies; the production, transportation, and

consumption of energy. Nuclear energy; fossil fuels; solar energy; wind energy; hydropower; geothermal energy; MHD; energy storage

and distribution; automotive transportation.


PHYS 271 Introduction to Special Relativity (3-0-3)

Properties of space-time; the Lorentz transformation; paradoxes; four vector formulations of mechanics and electromagnetism.

Prerequisites: PHYS 102

PHYS 301 Classical Mechanics I (3-0-3)

Newton’s laws of motion and conservation theorems, oscillations; non-linear oscillations and chaos; Computational study of forced

oscillatory motion and nonlinear motion gravitation; Hamilton’s variational principle – Lagrangian and Hamiltonian Dynamics; Central

force; Motion in a non-inertial reference frame.

Prerequisite: MATH 202, PHYS 101

PHYS 302 Classical Mechanics II (3-0-3)

Planetary Motion; dynamics of a system of particles; motion in a non-inertial reference frames; dynamics of rigid bodies; coupled

oscillations; continuous systems; special theory of relativity; Computational study of coupled oscillatory motion and Euler’s equations.


PHYS 303 Experimental Physics I (2-3-3)

An introductory course in electronics and the methods of experimental physics. The physics of semi-conductors; junction transistor;

amplifiers; feedback circuits; oscillators; nonlinear devices; digital electronics; digital logic; counters and registers; analog-to-digital

converters.

Prerequisite: PHYS 212 or PHYS 201

PHYS 304 Experimental Physics II (1-3-2)

Methods of experimental physics. Analysis of experimental data. Relationship between theory and experiment. Curve fitting processes;

fundamental of the theory of statistics; evaluation of experimental data; estimation of errors: Selected experiments in physics will be

performed in conjunction with lecture material.

6


PHYS 305 Electricity and Magnetism I (3-0-3)

Introduction to classical electromagnetic theory based on vector calculus. Electrostatics; Laplace and Poisson’s equations; Dielectric media

and magnetostatics fields in matter; Computer will be used to solve electromagnetic problems.

Prerequisite: PHYS 102 and MATH 202

PHYS 306 Electricity and Magnetism II (3-0-3)

A continuation of Physics 305. Electrodynamics; Electromagnetic waves; Electromagnetic radiation and relativity.


PHYS 307 Laser Molecular Spectroscopy (3-0-3)

Introduction to lasers; laser in time-resolved and in frequency-resolved spectroscopy; basic elements of spectroscopy; rotational,

vibrational, and electronic spectroscopy.


PHYS 315 Astrophysics (3-0-3)

Basic methods for obtaining information about stars: stellar positions, size, luminosity, spectra. Methods for deducing stellar parameters

from those observations. Newtonian gravitation, spectral analysis, Doppler shift, interaction of matter and radiation. Modeling the

structure of stars. Pulsating stars, novae and supernovae. Collapsed stars (white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes). Stellar systems and

clusters, Galaxies, systems of galaxies, filament and voids.


PHYS 323 Physics of Nuclear Reactors (3-0-3)

Nuclear reactions and fission; the multiplication factor and nuclear reactor criticality; homogeneous and heterogeneous reactors; the one-

speed diffusion theory; reactor kinetics; multi group diffusion theory; Computer will be used in simple criticality calculations and reactor

kinetics.

Prerequisite: PHYS 212 or PHYS 201, MATH 202

PHYS 353 Radiation and Health Physics (3-3-4)

Properties of ionizing radiation; interaction of radiation with matter, detection methods, dosimetry, biological effects of radiation, external

and internal radiation protection.


PHYS 365 Introduction to Medical Physics (3-0-3)

Biomechanics; sound and hearing; pressure and motion of fluids; heat and temperature; electricity and magnetism in the body; optics and

the eye; biological effects of light; use of ionizing radiation in diagnosis and therapy; radiation safety, medical instrumentation.


PHYS 371 Methods of Theoretical Physics (3-0-3)

Functions of a complex variable; contour integration; partial differential equations; special functions; numerical techniques.

Prerequisite: MATH 202

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Not open for credit to students who have taken MATH 301.

PHYS 373 Introduction to Computational Physics (2-3-3)

Computer simulation of physical systems. Simulation techniques; programming methods; comparison of ideal and realistic systems;

limitations of physical theory; behavior of physical systems.

Prerequisites: PHYS 212 or PHYS 201, ICS 101

Not open for credit to students who have taken MATH 321 or SE 301.

PHYS 399 Summer Training (0-0-2)

Students are required to spend eight weeks in summer working in industry prior to the term in which they expect to graduate. They will be

required to write a report and present it in a seminar at the Department.

Prerequisite: ENGL 214, Junior Standing and approval of the department.

PHYS 401 Quantum Mechanics and Applications I (3-0-3)

This course deals with the fundamentals of non-relativistic quantum mechanics. Failures of classical physics in describing

microscopic phenomena. Mathematical tools and basic postulates of Quantum Mechanics. Matrix formulation of Quantum Mechanics. The

Schrodinger equation and its application to various one-dimensional systems. Orbital angular momentum. Applications of Quantum

Mechanics to the study of three-dimensional systems. Wavefunctions for some of the above systems and related expectation values

obtained via computer packages.

Prerequisite: MATH 202, PHYS 301

PHYS 402 Quantum Mechanics and Application II (3-0-3)

This course is a continuation of Physics 401. Addition of angular momenta. Time-independent perturbation theory. The variational method

and its applications. Schrodinger, Heisenberg and Interaction pictures. Time-dependent perturbation theory. Scattering Theory. Identical

particle systems. Approximate solutions of several Schrodinger equations obtained via computer packages.


PHYS 403 Senior Physics Laboratory (0-6-2)

A number of experiments selected both for their importance in the historical development physics and their educational value in presenting

the techniques used in experimental physics correlation of the experimental work with theory are stressed.


PHYS 404 Physics Project Laboratory (0-6-2)

A laboratory course, which offers an opportunity for students to carry out experimental projects, based on their special interests and ideas

to study physical phenomena. Faculty help students determine the feasibility of proposed projects.

Prerequisites:: PHYS 403

PHYS 409 Physics Seminar (1-0-1)

Students are given the opportunity to present and attend lectures on topics of current research interest.

Prerequisites: Senior standing

PHYS 411 Advanced Optics (3-0-3)

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Fourier transforms and applications, theory of coherence, interference spectroscopy, auto correlation function, fluctuations, optical transfer

functions, diffraction and Gaussian beams, Kirchhoff diffraction theory, theory of image formation, spatial filtering, aberrations in optical

images, interaction of light with matter, crystal optics, nonlinear optics, lasers.


PHYS 412 Physics of Lasers (3-0-3)

Stimulated emission and coherence; population inversion; Gaussian beam propagation; optical resonators and cavity modes; stability

criteria; unstable resonators; phase conjugate resonators; oscillation threshold and gain; line broadening; gain saturation; density matrix

formulation and semi-classical theory of lasers; lasers without inversion; Q-switching, mode-locking and pulse compression.

Prerequisite: PHYS 306 or Consent of the Instructor

PHYS 416 Cosmology and the Early Universe (3-0-3)

Distance scale of the universe. Hubble expansion and modeling by non-Euclidean spaces. The steady state models: Einstein, De Sitter,

Lemaitre. Continuous creation models: Bondi, Hoyle-Harlikar. The relativistic evolution equation and Friedmann’s expanding models.

Cosmology and nucleosynthesis. Gamow’s big bang model. Phase transitions and the thermal history of the universe. Problems of the

standard model of cosmology: horizons and structure formation. Solution by inflationary models using grand unified field theories, their

problems and the revised inflationary scenarios.

Prerequisite: PHYS 212 or PHYS 201, Math 202

PHYS 422 Nuclear and Particle Physics (3-0-3)

Study of Nuclear and Particle Physics with the help of Quantum Mechanics. Nuclear properties, forces between nucleons, nuclear models,

radioactive decays and detectors, nuclear reactions, accelerators. Fundamental particles, forces, the subnuclear zoo. Two-body bound and

scattering problems, nuclear forces, models, etc. studied both analytically and via computer packages.


PHYS 430 Thermal and Statistical Physics (4-0-4)

Statistical physics, developing both thermodynamics and statistical mechanics simultaneously. Concepts of temperature, laws of

thermodynamics, entropy, thermodynamic relations, free energy. Applications to phase equilibrium, multicomponent systems, chemical

reactions, and thermodynamic cycles. Application of statistical mechanics to physical systems; introduction to treatment of Maxwell-

Boltzmann, Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac statistics with applications. Computational aspects of free-energy entropy magnetization for

various classical and quantum distributions.


PHYS 432 Introduction to Solid State Physics (3-0-3)

Introductory concepts in crystal diffraction and the reciprocal lattice. Crystal bonding; lattice vibrations; thermal properties of insulators;

free electron theory of metals; band theory; semiconductors, introduction to superconductivity. Simple band structure calculations using

computer software packages.


PHYS 434 Introduction to the Physics of Surface (3-0-3)

A course may be offered in conjunction with current research at the Surface Science Laboratory. Preparation of clean surfaces;

experimental methods such as XPS, UPS, Auger, and LEED; thin films; surface states; temperature effects.

Co-requisite: PHYS 432

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PHYS 435 Superconductivity (3-0-3)

Experiment and phenomenology, the two fluid model. Perfect conductance and electrodynamics of superconductors. Thermodynamics of

the phase transition, type I and type II superconductors. Ginzburg Landau phenomenological theory of type II superconductors: coherence

length, vortices, Abrikosov vortex lattice, critical fields and vortex flow dynamics. The microscopic theory of BCS and the concept of

electron pairing. High Tc superconductivity.


PHYS 441 Particle Physics (3-0-3)

Accelerators and detectors; the subnuclear zoo; symmetries and conservation laws; the quark model; the gauge principle.


PHYS 442 Relativistic Quantum Mechanics (3-0-3)

Relativistic spin zero particle; the Klein-Gordon equation; relativistic spin one-half particles; the Dirac equation; propagation theory.

Corequisite: PHYS 402

PHYS 461 Introduction to Plasma Physics (3-0-3)

An introduction to plasma Physics: Single-particle motions; plasmas vs fluids; waves in plasmas; diffusion and resistivity; equilibrium and

stability; a simple introduction to kinetic theory; nonlinear effects; controlled fusion.


PHYS 493 Selected Topics in Physics (1-3 credits)

Selected topics of special interest to students. This course may be repeated for credit as an investigation in depth of a single topic or as a

survey of several topics.

Prerequisite: consent of the instructor

PHYS 495 Guided Studies (1-0-1)

Guided reading and reporting on special topics by individual students under the guidance of faculty members.

Prerequisite: consent of the instructor.

4 DEPARTMENT FACILITIES

4.1 Teaching facilities

4.1.1 The General Physics Laboratories

There are four permanent rooms for conducting laboratory experiments in the Physics 101 course and four other rooms for the Physics 102

course. The Phys 101 Labs are equipped with 10 experiments spanning all fields of mechanics. The Phys 102 labs are also equipped with

10 experiments covering the subjects of waves, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism. There are generally 4 running labs every day

with 20 to 22 students per section in each course. In each lab there are 8 setups per experiment. The experiments are under continuous

review for improvement.

4.1.2 The Computer Aided Learning (CAL) Laboratory

The Physics CAL Lab is located in Building 6, Room 204. There are 24 computers in the CAL Lab. This lab is designed for learning tasks.

For example each section of students in Physics 101 or/and Physics 102 will visit this lab at least once per semester. In that visit, students

will practice some application skills like plotting a data graph, linear regression, advanced spreadsheet skills and practice some of the

10

Physics Software related to the material covered in the lecture. In addition, some Physics Short Workshops can be arranged in that

laboratory.

4.1.3 Smart Class Room

The Smart Class Room is located in Building 6, Room 125 auditorium. Instructors can use all the features of the Smart Class Room. Using

a dedicated computer, instructors can present many animations to the students which are related to the lecture, or use a DVD player in case

the instructor has a scientific movie for teaching purposes, or use the S-Visualizer if the instructor would like to show some figures, graphs

and use the Smart Board, when he needs to write something, and then save it in electronic format.

4.1.4 The Physics Exhibition Room

This is room 173-2 in the Physics department. The idea behind having a "Physics Exhibition Room" is to have, on continuous display, a

set of simple but at the same time interesting demonstrations, useful for both teaching and educational purposes.

The Department instructors, especially those who are teaching general physics, i.e., PHYS101 and PHYS102, can borrow demos from this

Room in order to explain more clearly certain difficult concepts, especially when the students need to see something or experience it on

their own. It also provides the visitors of the Department (high school students, University preparatory year students, etc) with a small

exhibit that is meant to arouse their curiosity about Nature and the Universe.

Currently, the number of displayed demos is around 15. However, the Department is striving to update the content of the Room and has,

recently, ordered some 20 new demos covering almost all branches of physics. These new acquisitions are expected to arrive soon.

4.1.5 Computer Room

The Computer Room is located in Building 6, Room 173-2. There are eight (8) computers in this lab. This room is available for

undergraduate as well as graduate students/Research Assistant (RA) students. These students can do their work electronically, and use the

Network Resources, Intranet, Internet, etc...

4.2 Research facilities

4.2.1 The Surface Science Laboratory

The surface science laboratory is equipped with a versatile surface analysis equipment, the “ESCA MKII” from Vacuum Generator (VG)

company. The equipment has the following capabilities: X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES),

UV Photoelectron Spectroscopy (UPS), Depth profiling using Ion Gun, Low Energy Electron Diffraction (LEED). The system is used for

various research projects related to surface Physics. The surface science lab has also a DC magnetron sputtering system for thin films

synthesis and characterization.

4.2.2 The Superconductivity Laboratory

The superconductivity laboratory has a computer controlled vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) with a magnetic field range of 0-9

Tesla and a temperature range of 2–300 K. There is also an apparatus for electrical transport measurements and a sample preparation

facility.

4.2.3 The Radiation Physics Laboratory

The Radiation Physics Laboratory houses the following research facilities: Active Radon Measurement System (Radon gas analyzer type

Alpha Guard), Nuclear Track Detection System (Chemical Etching and Optical Microscope with Image Analyzing System), Passive

Radon Radiometer, Gamma Ray Spectroscopic System, and a PGNAA Setup using a Nuclear Accelerator.

4.3 Other facilities

4.3.1 The electronic Workshop

The electronic equipment in the department is maintained by an experienced electronic engineer who takes care of trouble shooting and

repair.

4.3.2 The Cryogenic Workshop

The physics department operates a cryogenics facility, established in 1978, that is the only one of its kinds in the Kingdom. The facility

has a helium liquefier and a nitrogen liquefier and produces high-purity liquid helium and liquid nitrogen. These cryogens are used in

11

various KFUPM research laboratories and by Saudi ARAMCO for basic and applied research, and by hospitals for cooling equipment such

as NMR. A plan for upgrading this facility is underway.

4.3.3 The Machine Shop

The machine shop is used to manufacture new equipment for experiments for the student laboratories such as Phys 101 and Phys 102. It

has also produced nice simple demonstrations used for teaching purposes. It is also heavily used to get parts made which are urgently

needed for the research equipments.

5 FACULTY

Chaiman : Al-Shukri, Ali Mohammad

Fida F. Al-Adel

Professor

Laser Physics and Spectroscopy

Ph D 1981

University of Paris / Pierre et Marie Curie, France

E-mail: [email protected]

العادل د. فداء

أستاذ

الليزر فيزياء

1981 دكتوراة

فرنسا باريس، جامعة

Guldad K Khattak

Professor

Low Temperature Physics

Structural and magnetic properties

of amorphous materials

PhD 1978

Purdue University, USA


ختك د. جولداد

أستاذ

المنخفضة الحرارة درجات فيزياء

1978 دكتوراة

المتحدة الوالايات بورديو، جامعة

Harry A. Mavromatis

Professor

Theoretical Nuclear Physics

Mathematical Physics

Ph D 1966

Princeton University, USA


مافروماتيس د. هاري

أستاذ

النظرية النووية الفيزياء

1966 دكتوراة

المتحدة الواليات برنستون، جامعة

Hocine Bahlouli

Professor

Condensed Matter Theory and Quantum Phenomena

Ph D 1988

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, USA


د. حسين بهلولي

أستاذ

فيزياء الحالة الصلبة النظرية و الظواهر المكماة

1988دكتوراة

جامعة إلينويس، الواليات المتحدة

M. Osama Dabbousi㕈 Ibraheem M. A. Nasser

Adjunct Professor

Solid State Physics

Ph D 1975

University of California, U S A


د. إبراهيم ناصر

أستاذ

الفيزياء النظرية

1985دكتوراة

جامعة كونيكتكت، الواليات المتحدة

Professor

الدبوسي أسامةد.

أستاذ

الصلبة الحالة فيزياء

1975 دكتوراة

المتحدة الواليات كاليفورنيا، جامعة

12

http://users.kfupm.edu.sa/phys/dabbousi/

mailto:[email protected]


http://users.kfupm.edu.sa/phys/harrym/


http://users.kfupm.edu.sa/phys/gkhattak/

Theoretical Physics

Applied Optics

Ph D 1985

Connecticut University, USA


Mohamed Ibrahim Al-Jarallah

Professor

Radiation Physics

Ph D 1976

Aston University, UK

الله الجار د. محمد

أستاذ

اإلشعاع فيزياء

1976 دكتوراة

بريطانيا أستون، جامعة

Khalil A. Ziq

Associate Professor

Superconductivity and Magnetism

Magnetic glasses

Ph D 1989

University of Illinois at Chicago, USA


زيك د. خليل

مشارك أستاذ

والمغناطيسية الفائقة الموصالت

1989 دكتوراة

المتحدة الواليات إلينويس، جامعة

Mahmoud Mohammed Nagadi

Associate Professor

Nuclear Physics

Ph D 1992

Duke University, USA


نقادي د. محمود


النووية الفيزياء

1992 دكتوراة

المتحدة الواليات ديوك، جامعة

Mohamed M Faiz

Associate Professor

Electronic Structure of High-Temperature

Superconductors

Surface Characterization of Catalysts

Ph D 1992

University of Illinois at Chicago, USA


فايز د. محمد


الفائقة للموصالت اإللكترونية البنية

1992 دكتوراة


Mohamed S Abdelmonem

Associate Professor

Theoretical Physics

Theoretical Nuclear Physics &

Scattering Theory

Ph D 1975

University of Houston, Texas, USA


المنعم عبد الدين سعد د. محمد


النظرية النووية الفيزياء

1975 دكتوراة

المتحدة الواليات هيوستن، جامعة

Mohammad Al-Nasser

Associate Professor

Nuclear Physics

Ph D 1979

University of California, Los Angeles, USA


الناصر د. محمد



1979 دكتوراة


Mohammad Al-Ohali العوهلي د. محمد

13

http://users.kfupm.edu.sa/phys/alohali/


http://users.kfupm.edu.sa/phys/mnasser/




http://users.kfupm.edu.sa/phys/kaziq/


Associate Professor

Nuclear Physics

General Astronomy

Ph D 1993

Duke University, USA




العام الفلك علم

1993 دكتوراة

المتحدة الواليات ديوك، جامعة

Muhammad A. Garwan

Associate Professor

Experimental Nuclear Physics

Science Educational technology

Ph. D. 1992

University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada


قروان د. محمد


التجريبية النووية الفيزياء

1992 دكتوراة

كندا تورونتو، جامعة

Nabil Maalej

Associate Professor

Medical Physics/Biomedical Engineering

Ph D 1994

University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA


معالج د. نبيل


بيوطبية \ هندسة الطبية الفيزياء

1994 دكتوراة

المتحدة الواليات ماديسون، وسكانسن جامعة

Nouar Tabet

Associate Professor

Physics of Materials

Thin films , nanomaterials

Electron Spectroscopy and Microscopy

Monte Carlo simulations

Ph D 1988

University of Orsay, Paris, France


تابت د. نوار


نانومترية مواد رقيقة، شرائح المواد، فيزياء

اإللكترونات مجهرية و مطيافية

كارلو. مونتي محاكاة

1988 دكتوراة

فرنسا أورساي، جامعة

Omar S Binbrek

Associate Professor

Neutron Diffraction

Surface Physics

Ph D 1975

University of Waterloo, Canada


بنبريك د. عمر


السطوح فيزياء

النيترونات حيود

1975 دكتوراة

كندا ووترلو، جامعة

Abdelkrim Mekki

Assistant Professor

Materials Science

Structural and magnetic properties

of amorphous materials

Thin films

Surface Science

Ph. D. 1998

University of Warwick, UK

مكي الكريم د. عبد

مساعد أستاذ

المواد فيزياء

مشكلة الغير المواد بنية و المغناطيسية الخواص

رقيقة شرائح ،


1998 دكتوراة

بريطانيا وارك، جامعة

14


http://users.kfupm.edu.sa/phys/obinbrek/



http://users.kfupm.edu.sa/phys/maalej/


http://users.kfupm.edu.sa/phys/mgarwan/



Abdulaziz Al-Haidari

Assistant Professor

Theory of Elementary Particles

Mathematical physics

Elementary particles and fields

Ph. D 1987

University of California, Los Angeles, USA


الحيدري العزيز د. عبد


للجسيمات النظرية الفيزياء

1987 دكتوراة


Abdul-Aziz Al-Jalal

Assistant Professor

Molecular atomic optical physics/Laser

physics

Plasma based catalysis decoking

Ph.D. 2001

MIT, USA


الجالل العزيز د. عبد


الليزر فزياء

2001 دكتوراة

المتحدة الواليات تي، آي إم

Abdullah A. AlSunaidi

Assistant Professor

Chemical Physics

Ph D 1999

University of Maryland, College Park, USA


السنيدي الله د. عبد


الكيميائية الفيزياء

1999 دكتوراة

المتحدة الواليات الند، ماري جامعة

Ali Hassan Al-Ramadhan

Assistant Professor

Nuclear Physics

Ph. D. 1994

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, U SA


الرمضان د. علي



1994 دكتوراة

المتحدة الواليات ميتشجان، جامعة

Ali Mohammad Al-Shukri

Assistant Professor

Astrophysics

Optical Properties of Thin Films

Ph D 1991

Georgia State University, USA


الشكري د. علي


الفلك فيزياء

1991 دكتوراة

المتحدة الواليات جورجيا، والية جامعة

Anan M. Al-Karmi

Assistant Professor

Biophysics / Medical Physics

Ph. D 1993

الكرمي د. عنان


الطبية الفيزياء

1993 دكتوراة

15

http://users.kfupm.edu.sa/phys/alkarmi/



http://users.kfupm.edu.sa/phys/alih/


http://users.kfupm.edu.sa/phys/asunaidi


http://users.kfupm.edu.sa/phys/aljalal/


http://users.kfupm.edu.sa/phys/haidari/

University of Mississippi, USA


المتحدة الواليات الميسيسيبي، جامعة

Mohammad F Al-Kuhaili

Assistant Professor

Solid State Physics

Optical properties of solids

Modulation spectroscopy

Ph D 1999

University of Texas at Dallas, USA


الكحيلي د. محمد


الصلبة الحالة فيزياء

1999 دكتوراة

المتحدة الواليات تكساس، جامعة

Mohammed A. Al-Solami

Assistant Professor

Nuclear Physics

Ph D 1982

University of South Carolina, USA


السلمي د. محمد



1982 دكتوراة

المتحدة الواليات كاروالينا، جنوب جامعة

Mohammed Saber Musazay

Assistant Professor

Nuclear Reactor Physics

Ph D 1981

North Carolina State University, USA


موسىزي صابر د. محمد


النووية المفاعالت فيزياء

1981 دكتوراة

المتحدة الواليات كاروالينا، شمال جامعة

Rafat M. Nassar

Assistant Professor

Radiation Physics

Detection of nuclear radiation Ph D 1996

University of St. Andrews, Scotland, UK


نصار د. رأفت


اإلشعاع فيزاء

1996 دكتوراة

بريطانيا أندريوس، سانت جامعة

Saeed Mohammed Al-Amoudi

Assistant Professor

Non-equilibrium Quantum Field Theory

Ph. D. 1999

University of Pittsburgh, USA


العمودي د. سعيد


الحقول فيزياء النظرية، الفيزياء

1999 دكتوراة

المتحدة الواليات بتسبيرغ، جامعة

Saleh Ibrahim Al-Quraishi

Assistant Professor

Experimental Nuclear Physics

Low Energy Nuclear Reactions

Ph D 1997

Ohio University, USA


القريشي د. صالح


التجريبية النووية الفيزياء

1997 دكتوراة

المتحدة الواليات أوهيو، جامعة

16


http://users.kfupm.edu.sa/phys/salehq/


http://users.kfupm.edu.sa/phys/rnassar/


http://users.kfupm.edu.sa/phys/smusazay/


http://users.kfupm.edu.sa/phys/alsolami/


http://users.kfupm.edu.sa/phys/kuhaili/


Thamer A. AL-Aithan

Assistant Professor

Theoretical Particle Physics

QCD Phenomenology &

String Theory in Four Dimensions

Ph. D. 1997

Syracuse University, NY, USA


العيثان د. ثامر


للجسيمات النظرية الفيزياء

1997 دكتوراة

المتحدة الواليات سيراكيوز، جامعة

Zain H. Yamani

Assistant Professor

Solid State Physics and Molecular Physics

Ph D 1999

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, USA


يماني د. زين


الجزيئية والفيزياء الصلبة الحالة فيزياء

1999 دكتوراة


Ahmed Fathy Salem

Lecturer

Superconductivity

Magnetic properties of High Tc Superconductors

M. Sc 1999 King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals,

Saudi Arabia


سالم أحمد

محاضر

الفائقة الموصالت

1999 ماجستير

والمعادن للبترول فهد الملك جامعة

Astra Agus Pramana

Lecturer

Material Science and Engineering

Superconductivity

M. Sc 1995

King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals,

Saudi Arabia


برامانا أسترا

محاضر


1995 ماجستير


Ayman Ghannam

Lecturer

Superconductivity; magnetic and

thermodynamic properties

M Sc 1997

The University of Jordan,

Jordan


غنام أيمن

محاضر


1997 ماجستير

األردن األردنية، الجامعة

Fazal-ur-Rehman

Lecturer

Radiation Physics/Health Physics

Radon Dosimetry, Neutron Dosimetry

M. Phil 1999

الرحمن فضل

محاضر

الصحية والفيزياء اإلشعاع فيزياء

1999 ماجستير

17


http://users.kfupm.edu.sa/phys/ghannama/




http://users.kfupm.edu.sa/phys/zhyamani/

Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan


باكستان أعظم، قاضي جامعة

Fuad M. Enaya

Lecturer

Superconductivity

Magnetic properties of High Tc Superconductors

M.S 1998


Saudi Arabia


عناية فؤاد

محاضر


1998 ماجستير


Khateeb-Ur-Rehman

Lecturer

Nuclear Physics

M. Sc. 1998

King Fahd University of Petroleum and

Minerals, Saudi Arabia


الرحمن خطيب

محاضر


1998 ماجستير


Mogtaba Bakheet Mekki

Lecturer

Application of Parallel Interfacing in Physics

M. Sc. 1999

Sudan University of Science and Technology,

Sudan


مكي مجتبى

محاضر

اإللكترونيات فيزياء

1999 ماجستير

السودان والتكنولوجيا، للعلوم السودان جامعة

Mohamed Rabigh Khodja

Lecturer

Theoretical High Energy Physics

Foundations of quantum physics

M Sc 1998


Saudi Arabia


خوجه محمد

محاضر

النظرية المرتفعة الطاقة فيزياء

1998 ماجستير


Mohamed S Kariapper

Lecturer

Surface Physics

Structure determination of adorbates on metal

single crystal surfaces

Ph D 2001

University of Warwick


كاريابر د. محمد

محاضر


2001 دكتوراة

بريطانيا وارك، جامعة

18


http://users.kfupm.edu.sa/phys/mohamedk/




http://users.kfupm.edu.sa/phys/khateeb/


http://users.kfupm.edu.sa/phys/fenaya/


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