Curriculum Overview
The Physics program at Ashoka University Sonepat is structured over eight semesters, with a balance of core courses, departmental electives, science electives, and hands-on laboratory sessions. The curriculum is designed to build a strong foundation in fundamental physics while allowing students to explore specialized areas of interest.
Semester-wise Course Structure
| Semester | Course Code | Full Course Title | Credit Structure (L-T-P-C) | Pre-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PHY101 | Physics I | 3-1-2-4 | - |
| 1 | MAT101 | Calculus I | 3-1-2-4 | - |
| 1 | MAT102 | Linear Algebra | 3-1-2-4 | - |
| 1 | PHY102 | Physics Lab I | 0-0-6-2 | - |
| 1 | ENG101 | English Communication | 3-1-2-4 | - |
| 1 | HSS101 | Social Sciences | 3-1-2-4 | - |
| 2 | PHY201 | Physics II | 3-1-2-4 | PHY101 |
| 2 | MAT201 | Calculus II | 3-1-2-4 | MAT101 |
| 2 | MAT202 | Differential Equations | 3-1-2-4 | MAT101 |
| 2 | PHY202 | Physics Lab II | 0-0-6-2 | PHY102 |
| 2 | MAT203 | Probability and Statistics | 3-1-2-4 | MAT101 |
| 3 | PHY301 | Quantum Mechanics I | 3-1-2-4 | PHY201 |
| 3 | PHY302 | Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics | 3-1-2-4 | PHY201 |
| 3 | PHY303 | Electromagnetic Fields | 3-1-2-4 | PHY201 |
| 3 | PHY304 | Physics Lab III | 0-0-6-2 | PHY202 |
| 3 | MAT301 | Numerical Methods | 3-1-2-4 | MAT201 |
| 4 | PHY401 | Quantum Mechanics II | 3-1-2-4 | PHY301 |
| 4 | PHY402 | Solid State Physics | 3-1-2-4 | PHY301 |
| 4 | PHY403 | Mathematical Methods in Physics | 3-1-2-4 | MAT202 |
| 4 | PHY404 | Physics Lab IV | 0-0-6-2 | PHY304 |
| 4 | MAT401 | Advanced Calculus | 3-1-2-4 | MAT201 |
| 5 | PHY501 | Special Topics in Physics I | 3-1-2-4 | PHY401 |
| 5 | PHY502 | Advanced Electromagnetic Theory | 3-1-2-4 | PHY303 |
| 5 | PHY503 | Nuclear and Particle Physics | 3-1-2-4 | PHY301 |
| 5 | PHY504 | Physics Lab V | 0-0-6-2 | PHY404 |
| 5 | PHY505 | Computational Physics | 3-1-2-4 | MAT401 |
| 6 | PHY601 | Special Topics in Physics II | 3-1-2-4 | PHY501 |
| 6 | PHY602 | Condensed Matter Physics | 3-1-2-4 | PHY402 |
| 6 | PHY603 | Optics and Photonics | 3-1-2-4 | PHY303 |
| 6 | PHY604 | Physics Lab VI | 0-0-6-2 | PHY504 |
| 6 | PHY605 | Project Management | 3-1-2-4 | - |
| 7 | PHY701 | Special Topics in Physics III | 3-1-2-4 | PHY601 |
| 7 | PHY702 | Research Methods | 3-1-2-4 | PHY505 |
| 7 | PHY703 | Mini Project I | 0-0-6-2 | - |
| 7 | PHY704 | Physics Lab VII | 0-0-6-2 | PHY604 |
| 8 | PHY801 | Special Topics in Physics IV | 3-1-2-4 | PHY701 |
| 8 | PHY802 | Final Year Thesis | 0-0-6-4 | - |
| 8 | PHY803 | Mini Project II | 0-0-6-2 | - |
| 8 | PHY804 | Physics Lab VIII | 0-0-6-2 | PHY704 |
Advanced Departmental Electives
Students are encouraged to take advanced departmental electives that align with their interests and career goals. Here are descriptions of several key courses:
- Quantum Computing and Algorithms: This course explores the principles of quantum computing, including qubit manipulation, quantum gates, and quantum algorithms like Shor's algorithm and Grover's search. Students learn to implement these concepts using platforms such as IBM Qiskit and Google Cirq.
- Computational Fluid Dynamics: Combining fluid mechanics with numerical methods, this course teaches students how to simulate complex flow phenomena using computational tools. Applications include aerodynamics, environmental modeling, and biomedical flows.
- Biophysics of Cellular Systems: This interdisciplinary course applies physical principles to understand cellular processes such as protein folding, membrane dynamics, and signal transduction pathways.
- Nanomaterials Synthesis and Characterization: Students learn about the synthesis methods for nanomaterials and techniques for characterizing their properties, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD).
- Optical Fiber Communications: This course covers the fundamentals of optical fiber technology, including light propagation, modulation schemes, and system design principles. Students gain practical experience in designing and testing communication systems.
- Advanced Electromagnetic Theory: Building on basic electromagnetism, this course delves into Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic wave propagation, and scattering theory, with applications in radar systems and wireless communications.
- Statistical Mechanics of Complex Systems: This course explores statistical approaches to understanding complex systems, including phase transitions, critical phenomena, and network models.
- Mathematical Modeling in Physics: Students learn how to translate physical problems into mathematical models and solve them using analytical and numerical techniques.
- Energy Harvesting Technologies: This course examines various methods of harvesting energy from ambient sources, including solar, thermal, and mechanical energy conversion systems.
- Quantum Optics and Laser Physics: Focused on the interaction between light and matter at the quantum level, this course covers topics such as coherent states, photon statistics, and laser dynamics.
Project-Based Learning Philosophy
The department emphasizes project-based learning to foster innovation, teamwork, and practical application of theoretical concepts. Mini-projects are introduced in the third year, allowing students to work on real-world problems under faculty guidance.
The structure of these projects involves selecting a topic related to the student's area of interest, forming a team of 3-4 members, choosing a faculty mentor, and developing a timeline for completion. Projects are evaluated based on originality, technical depth, presentation quality, and peer feedback.
The final-year thesis or capstone project is an extensive research endeavor that requires students to conduct independent study, gather data, analyze results, and present findings in both written and oral formats. Students must demonstrate mastery of their chosen field and contribute new knowledge or insights to the domain.
Faculty mentors play a crucial role in guiding students throughout their project journey, providing resources, technical expertise, and feedback on progress. Regular meetings and milestones ensure that projects stay on track and meet academic standards.