The University of Benin (UNIBEN) Faculty of Physical Sciences, Department of Physics Courses, Course Codes and Course Credits for First and Second Semester.
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Physics is the Study of Matter in relation to Energy. You may now continue reading for the courses to expect in the first year of studying Physics at the University of Benin (UNIBEN).
100 Level Courses Common to Physics And Industrial Physics
CORE COURSES
Course No. Course Title
PHY109 Practical Physics
PHY111 Mechanics, Thermal Physics & props. of matter
PHY113 Vibrations, Waves& Optics
PHY124 Electromagnetism & Modern Physics
GST 111 Use of English
GST 112 Philosophy & Logic
GST 121 Peace Studies/Conflict Resolution
GST 122 Nigerian Peoples& Culture
GST 123 History & Philosophy of Science
MANDATORY COURSES
Course No. Course Title
MTH110 Algebra & Trigonometry
MTH112 Calculus
MTH123 Vectors, Geometry & Statistics
MTH125 Differential Equation & Dynamics
CHM111 Gen. Chemistry I
CHM122 Gen. Chemistry II
CHM113 Organic Chemistry I
CHM124 Organic Chemistry II
ELECTIVES
Course No. Course Title
AEB111 Introduction to Zoology I
AEB123 Functional Zoology
100 LEVEL COURSES FOR APPLIED GEOPHYSICS
| Course No. | Course Title | Credits | Semester |
| *PHY109 | Practical physics | 2 | 1&2 |
| *PHY111 | Mechanics, Thermal Physics & Props. of Matter | 3 | 1 |
| *PHY113 | Vibrations, Waves and Optics | 3 | 1 |
| *PHY124 | Electromagnetism and Modern Physics | 4 | 2 |
| *GST111 | Use of English I | 2 | 1 |
| *GST112 | Philosophy and Logic | 2 | 1 |
| *GST121 | Peace Studies/Conflict Resolution | 2 | 2 |
| *GST122 | Nigeria Peoples and Culture | 2 | 2 |
| *GST123 | History & Philosophy of Science | 2 | 2 |
| +GLY110 | Introductory Geology I | 3 | 1 |
| +GLY120 | Introductory Geology II | 2 | 2 |
| +CSC110 | Introduction to Computing | 3 | 1 |
| #CHM113 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 | 1 |
| #CHM124 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 | 2 |
| +CSC111 | Programming Essentials | 3 | 1 |
| +MTH125 | Differential Equations and Dynamics | 3 | 2 |
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PHY 109-PRACTICAL PHYSICS I (2 CREDITS)
Students are expected to carry out a minimum of 12 major experiments covering the main aspects of the courses taken in the year.
PHY 111 – MECHANICS, THERMAL PHYSICS & PROPS OF MATTER (3 CREDITS)
(a) Mechanics:
Scalars and vectors: Addition and resolution of vectors. Rectilinear motion and Newton’s law of motion. Inertial mass and gravitational mass; free fall; projectile motion; deflecting forces and circular motion. Newton’s law of gravitation; satellites, escape velocity. Gravitational potential well; special case of circular motion.
Momentum and the conservation of a momentum. Work, power energy; units, potential energy for a gravitational field and elastic bodies, kinetic energy conservation of energy; energy stored in a rotating body. Kinetic energy in elastic and inelastic collisions.
(b) Thermal Physics And Properties of Matters
Temperature, heat, work, heat capacities; second law, carnot cycle; thermodynamic ideal gas temperature scale.
Thermal conductivity; radiation; black body and energy spectrum, Stefan’s law. Kinetic model of a gas: Equation of state, concept of diffusion mean free path, molecular speeds, Avogadro’s number, the behavior of real gases.
A model for a solid; inter-particle forces in solids, liquids and gases; physical properties of solids. Crystalline structure. Close packing orderly arrangements, elastic deformation of an ordered structure; interference patterns and crystals.
Model for matter; surface energy and surface tension, plastic deformation; thermal and electrical properties of metals.
PHY 113 – VIBRATIONS, WAVES AND OPTICS (3 CREDITS)
Periodic motion
The periodic motion of an oscillator: Velocity and acceleration of a sinusoidal oscillation, equation of motion of a simple harmonic oscillator: damped Oscillations; forced oscillations, resonance; propagation of longitudinal and transverse vibrations.
Wave behaviour; Reflection of waves, stationary waves, propagation of straight and circular pulses; Fiber optics. diffraction, refraction, dispersion, interference, coherence, polarization.
Wave and light; Mirrors, lenses, the formation of images, lenses in contact microscope, telescope; Chromatic and spherical aberrations and their reduction. Dispersion by prisms; the relation between colour and wavelength; spectra.
PHY 124 – ELECTROMAGNETISM AND MODERN PHYSICS (4 CREDITS)
(a) Electromagnetism (3 credit)
Electric field: Strength, flux and the inverse square law; electrostatic force between two charge particles; flux model for the electric field. Energy stored in an electric field, electrical potential due to dipole.
Steady direct current: Simple circuits; potential difference, resistance, power electromotive force, Kirchhoffs laws; potential divider, Slide-wire potentiometer, bridge circuits, combing resistances.
Capacitors; capacitance, combination of dielectrics, energy store charging/discharging. Electromagnetic effects: Electromagnetic forces, electric motors, moving coil galvanometer, ammeter, voltmeter, electromagnetic induction, dynamo.
Alternating currents: Simple A.C. circuit, transformers, motors and alternating currents.
Magnetic field: The field at the centre of a current-carrying flat coil, of a current carrying solenoid, outside a long solenoid; flux model and magnetic fields.
Electromagnetic Induction: Induction in a magnetic field: magnitude and direction of induced e.m.f., energy stored in a magnetic field; self-inductance.
Electricity and matter; Current flow in an electrolyte, Millikan experiment; conduction of electricity at low pressure, cathode rays, photoelectricity.
(b) Modern Physics (1 Credit)
Structure of atom: Atomic theory, X-rays, Planck’s quantum theory; wave particle nature of matter, scattering experiment of Geiger and Matshen, Rutherford atom model, Bohr’s atom model.
Structure of nucleus; composition of nucleus, artificial transmutation of an element, natural transmutation of an element, discovery of neutron particle, emission, isotopes and particles emission, gamma radiation.
Recommended: Uniben 100 to final year courses
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