of the University of Cyprus PRESENTATION FOR EVALUATION ACCREDITATION Department of Physics University of Cyprus UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM PRESENTATION K Moulopoulos Academic Personnel ID: 728285
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Slide1
Undergraduate Physics Programof the University of Cyprus
PRESENTATION FOR
EVALUATION
-
ACCREDITATIONSlide2
Department of Physics
University of Cyprus
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM PRESENTATION
K. MoulopoulosSlide3
Academic Personnel :
Alexandrou
Constantia, Professor and Institute Professor at the Cyprus
Institute
Christofides
Constantinos
,
Professor,
Rector
of the University of
Cyprus
Othonos
Andreas,
Professor
Panagopoulos
Haralambos
,
Professor
,
Former
director of the
Center for Teaching and Learning, University of
Cyprus
Razis
Panos
,
Professor
Tsertos
Haralambos
,
Professor
Archontis
Georgios
,
Associate Professor
Itskos
Grigorios
,
Associate Professor, vice-Chairman
Moulopoulos Konstantinos
,
Associate Professor
Ptochos
Fotio
s
,
Associate
Professor, Chairman
Skourtis
Spiros
,
Associate
Professor
Theodorakis
Stavros
,
Associate Professor
Toumbas
Nicolaos
,
Associate Professor
Skordis
Constantinos
,
Assistant Professor
Trypiniotis
Theodossis
,
Assistant ProfessorSlide4
Laboratories
5
Research Laboratories covering all main research areas of expertise of the Academic Faculty: • High Energy Physics• Nuclear Physics
• Photonics and Optoelectronics • Experimental Condensed Matter Physics• Nanomagnetism and
Spintronics
S
tate-of-the-art
computational laboratories (
linux
clusters), dedicated to high-performance computations
in Lattice
Quantum Chromodynamics, Computational Biophysics and Molecular Physics, Gravitational Physics, Nuclear Physics and High Energy Physics. The hardware and software
been
obtained
via
competitive research grants
.
6
teaching laboratories for the introductory
and advanced
experimental courses and one computer
laboratory
:Slide5
Mechanics
Electromagnetism and Thermodynamics
Optics and Waves
Solid State Physics
Atomic and Nuclear Physics
Electronics
Computer room
Teaching LabsSlide6
Program Description
The program operates
since 1993 (Spring semester)Program’s language of instruction is Greek (5 courses offered in English
for Erasmus students)Duration of studies : 4 years/ 8 Semesters Total ECTS:
242,5
Final Higher Education Qualification: Bachelor of Science in Physics
StructureCompulsory Courses: Introductory courses (1st / 2nd year)Core courses (2nd / 3rd year)Courses from other departments (1st year)Foreign language (3rd / 4th year)Specialization courses (3rd / 4th year)Elective Courses (3rd / 4th year)Undergraduate Thesis (4th year)Slide7
Detailed curriculum: structure
of the program,
courses per semester, content of
each course, Instructors
Program Structure
Distribution
of courses per
semester
List of compulsory courses and elective courses Course description List of Instructors Courses for other departments Slide8
LIST
OF COURSES
Course Code
Course Name
Number of ECTS
Compulsory Introductory
Courses
PHY 111
General Physics I8PHY 112General Physics II
7,5
PHY 113
Modern Physics
6
PHY
114
Physics Laboratory
Ι
8
PHY 115
Physics Laboratory
ΙΙ
7,5
PHY 145
Computational Methods in Physics
7,5
PHY 213
General Physics III
7,5
PHY 216
Physics Laboratory
ΙΙΙ
7,5Slide9
Course Code
Course Name
Number of ECTS
Compulsory Courses from other Departments
MAS 018
Introductory Mathematics for Physicists I
5
MAS 019
Introductory Mathematics for Physicists II5
CHE 021
Introduction to Chemistry for Biologists and Physicists
5
LAN XXX
Foreign Language (Level I)
5
LAN XXX
Foreign Language (Level II)
5Slide10
Course Code
Course Name
Number of ECTS
Compulsory Core Courses
PHY 211
Classical Mechanics
7,5
PHY 221
Mathematical Methods of Physics
Ι
7,5
PHY 222
Mathematical Methods of Physics II
7,5
PHY 225
Quantum Mechanics I
7,5
PHY 231
Electromagnetism I
7,5
PHY
235
Electromagnetism II & Special Relativity
7,5
PHY 326
Quantum Mechanics II
7,5
PHY 342
Statistical Physics and Thermodynamics
7,5
PHY
351
Research in Physics
2Slide11
Course Code
Course Name
Number of ECTS
Specialization Courses
Students are required to complete 10 specialization courses
(75 ECTS total) from three groups (A, B, C), as follows:
GROUP A
2 out of the following courses:
PHY 302
Advanced Physics Laboratory I
7,5
PHY 322
Advanced Physics Laboratory II
7,5
PHY 341
Electronics
7,5Slide12
Course Code
Course Name
Number of ECTS
GROUP B
4 out of the following courses:
PHY 301
Solid State Physics
7,5
PHY 321
Nuclear Physics
7,5
PHY 331
Particle Physics
7,5
PHY 347
Computational
Physics
7,5
PHY 361
Principles and Practice of Physics
7
,
5
MAS 003
Complex Analysis
7,5Slide13
Course Code
Course Name
Number of ECTS
GROUP C
4 out of the following courses:
PHY 405
Cosmology and
General
Theory of Relativity7,5PHY 411
Thesis Project I
7,5
PHY 412
Thesis Project II
7,5
PHY 415
Biophysics
7,5
PHY 427
Atomic and Molecular Physics
7,5
PHY
435
Theoretical Physics
7,5
PHY 445
Electronic
Systems
7,5Slide14
Course Code
Course Name
Number of ECTS
Elective Courses
(they must be chosen from at least 3 different Faculties)
ΧΧΧ
Elective Course
5
ΧΧΧ
Elective Course
5
ΧΧΧ
Elective Course
5
ΧΧΧ
Elective Course
5Slide15
COURSES GIVEN FOR OTHER DEPARTMENTSPHY
011 - Modern Physics for Poets
PHY 012 - Physics and Applications PHY 101 - Principles of Physics PHY 102 – Physics for Biologists and Chemists
PHY 103 - Physics for Mathematicians PHY137 - Physics for the Medical SchoolSlide16
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
ECTS
Compulsory Courses
Introductory
courses (1
st
/ 2
nd
year)Core courses (2nd / 3rd
year)
Courses
from other departments
(
1
st
year)
Foreign
language (3
rd
/ 4
th
year)
59,5 62 16 10 (=2 Χ 5) Elective Courses (with restrictions)Specialization courses (divided in three groups 1st / 3rd / 4th year) 75 (=10 Χ 7,5)Elective CoursesGeneral education (3rd / 4th year) 20 (=4 X 5) Undergraduate Thesis (equivalent to two 2 specialization courses, 7.5 ECTS each, 4th year)Non compulsory Total:242,5
PROGRAM STRUCTURESlide17
COURSE DISTRIBUTION PER
SEMESTER
Α/Α
Course Type
Course Name
Course Code
Periods per
weekPeriod durationNumber of weeks/Academic semesterTotal periods/Academic semester
ECTS
1st
Semester
1
.
Compulsory
General Physics I
PHY
111
3
1,5
+1,5+1
135282. CompulsoryLaboratory Physics IPHY114 14135283. CompulsoryIntroduction to ChemistryCHE021 31,5+1,5+1135264. CompulsoryMathematics IΜΑΣ004 21,5133952nd Semester1.CompulsoryGeneral Physics II PHY1123 1,5+1,5+1 14
56
8
2.
Compulsory
Modern Physics
PHY113
3
1
14
42
6
3.
Compulsory
Laboratory Physics II
PHY115
1
4
14
56
7,5
4.
Compulsory
Computational Methods in Physics
PHY145
2
1,5+3,5
14
70
7,5
5.
Compulsory
Mathematics II
ΜΑS019
2
1,5
14
42
5Slide18
3rd Semester
1.
Compulsory
General
Physics
III
PHY213
2
2
13
52
7,5
2.
Compulsory
Laboratory Physics III
PHY216
1
4
13
52
7,5
3.
Compulsory
Math. Methods of Physics IPHY2212213527,54.CompulsoryElectromagnetism IPHY2312213527,54th Semester1.CompulsoryClassical MechanicsPHY2112
2
14
56
7,52.CompulsoryMath. Methods of Physics IIPHY2222214567,53.CompulsoryQuantum Mechanics IPHY22531,5+1,5+114567,54.CompulsoryElectromagnetism IIPHY2352214567,5
Α/Α
Course Type
Course Name
Course Code
Periods per
week
Period duration
Number of weeks/
A
cademic
semester
Total periods
/
Academic semester
ECTSSlide19
5th
Semester
1.
Compulsory
Quantum
Mechanics
II
PHY32631,5+1,5+113
52
7,5
2.
Compulsory
Statistical Physics and Thermodynamics
PHY342
2
2
13
52
7,5
3.
Compulsory
Research in Physics
PHY35111,51319,524.Elective CourseΧΧΧΧΧΧΧ21,5133955.Elective CourseΧΧΧXXXX21,5133956.Foreign Language Course IΧΧΧ LANΧΧΧ21,513
39
5
6th
Semester1.Specialization CourseCourse from Group APHY3ΧΧ1414567,52.Specialization CourseCourse from Group BPHY3ΧΧ2214567,53.Specialization CourseCourse from Group BPHY3ΧΧ2214567,5
4.
Specialization CourseCourse from Group BPHY3ΧΧ2214567,5
Α/Α
Course Type
Course Name
Course
Code
Periods per
week
Period duration
Number of weeks/
Acade
-mic
semester
Total periods
/
Academic semester
ECTSSlide20
7th
Semester
1.
Specialization Course
Course from Group C or Thesis Project I
PHY4ΧΧ
2
2
13
52
7,5
2.
Specialization Course
Course
from
Group
A
PHY3ΧΧ
1
4
13
527,53.Specialization CourseCourse from Group BPHY3ΧΧ2213527,54.Specialization CourseCourse from Group CPHY4ΧΧ2213527,58th Semester1.Specialization CourseCourse from Group C or Thesis Project IIPHY4ΧΧ221456
7,5
2.
Specialization Course
Course from Group CPHY4ΧΧ2214567,53.Elective CourseΧΧΧΧΧΧΧ21,5144254.Elective CourseΧΧΧΧΧΧΧ21,5144255.Foreign Language Course IIΧΧΧ LANΧΧΧ2
1,5
14425Α/ΑCourse TypeCourse NameCourse CodePeriods per weekPeriod duration
Number of weeks/
A
cademic
semester
Total periods
/
Academic semester
ECTSSlide21
TEACHING PERSONNEL, COURSES AND TEACHING PERIODS IN THE PROGRAM OF STUDY
Α/Α
Name
Discipline
/
Specialization
Teaching Courses
Code
Course title
Periods
/
week
1.
Alexandrou
Constantia
Theoretical and Computational Strong Interaction Physics
PHY 435
Theoretical Physics
4
2.
Othonos
Andreas
Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
PHY 213General Physics III4PHY 302Advanced Physics Laboratory I4PHY 341Electronics4
3.
Panagopoulos HaralambosTheoretical Particle Physics
PHY 145
Computational Methods in Physics
5
PHY 225
Quantum Mechanics I
4
PHY 626
Quantum Mechanics II
(Graduate
Level)
4
4.
Razis
Panos
Experimental High Energy
Physics
PHY 115
Physics Laboratory II
4
PHY 322
Advanced
Physics Laboratory II
4
PHY 012
Physics and Applications
3Slide22
Α/Α
Name
Discipline
/
Specialization
Teaching Courses
Code
Course title
Periods
/
week
5.
Tsertos
Haralambos
Experimental Nuclear Physics
PHY 235
Electromagnetism II & Special Relativity
4
PHY 321
Nuclear Physics
4PHY101Principles of Physics36.
Archontis
GeorgiosTheoretical and Computational BiophysicsPHY 342Statistical Physics & Thermodynamics4PHY 415Biophysics4PHY 112 General Physics II47.
Itskos
GrigoriosExperimental Condensed Matter PhysicsPHY 114Physics Laboratory I
4
PHY 301
Solid State Physics
4
PHY 134
Physics
for Engineers
4
8.
Moulopoulos
Konstantinos
Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics
PHY 222
Mathematical Methods of Physics II
4
PHY 132
Physics
for Mathematicians
4
PHY
625
Quantum
Mechanics I
(Graduate Level)
4Slide23
Α/Α
Name
Discipline
/
Specialization
Teaching Courses
Code
Course title
Periods
/
week
9.
Ptochos
Fotios
Experimental High Energy Physics
PHY 111
General Physics I
4
PHY 331
Particle Physics
4
PHY 347Computational Physics
4
10.
Skourtis SpirosMolecular Physics and Biophysics, Theory and ComputationPHY 231Electromagnetism I4PHY 427Atomic and Molecular Physics4PHY 641
Statistical Physics
411.Theodorakis Stavros
Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics
PHY 113
Modern Physics
3
PHY 326
Quantum Mechanics II
4PHY 211Classical Mechanics**412. Toumbas NicolaosTheoretical High Energy Physics, String Theory and cosmologyPHY 221Mathematical Methods of Physics I4PHY 405Cosmology and General Theory of Relativity4PHY 631Electromagnetism (Graduate Level)4
**Prof.
Theodorakis
is also teaching
PHY
011 - Modern Physics for Poets
Slide24
Α/Α
Name
Discipline
/
Specialization
Teaching Courses
Code
Course title
Periods
/
week
13.
Skordis
Constantinos
Gravitation and Cosmology, Theory
14.
Trypiniotis
Theodosis
Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
PHY 216Physics Laboratory III4PHY 445
Electronic Systems
4
PHY 811
Experimental Physics4Note: PHY 361 – Principles and Practice of Physics is assigned to a group of instructors, who also teach the introductory courses of the Program (typical teaching load per academic year 5.5 weeks / person). Participating: G. Archontis, G. Itskos, A. Othonos, F. Ptochos, S. Skourtis, S. Theodorakis and T. Trypiniotis Slide25
TEACHING PERSONNEL, QUALIFICATIONS, AND TOTAL TEACHING PERIODS
Α/Α
Name
Qualifications
Rank
Full Time
/
Part
Time
Program of Study
Periods
/
week
Total periods
/
week
1.
Alexandrou
Constantia
Ph
.
D
. in PhysicsB.A. in PhysicsPFull TimeUndergraduate program in Physics2812Undergraduate program in Chemistry24
2.
Christofides
Constantinos(Rector of the University)Ph.D. in Applied PhysicsD.E.A. in Energy-Economics and PhysicsM.Sc. In PhysicsB.Sc. In PhysicsPFull TimeUndergraduate program in Electrical Engineering3812Master in Principles of Physics343.
Othonos
AndreasPh.D. in PhysicsM.Sc. In PhysicsB.Sc. In PhysicsP
Full Time
Undergraduate program in Physics
12
12
4.
Panagopoulos HaralambosPh.D. in PhysicsB.Α. in Physics PFull TimeUndergraduate program in Physics913Master/Ph.D. Program in Physics45. Razis PanosPh.D. in PhysicsM.Sc. In PhysicsB.Sc. In PhysicsPFull TimeUndergraduate program in Physics812Elective course offered for
other Departments
4
P: ProfessorSlide26
TEACHING PERSONNEL, QUALIFICATIONS, AND TOTAL TEACHING PERIODS
Α/Α
Name
Qualifications
Rank
*
Full Time
/
Part
Time
Program of Study
Periods
/
week
Total periods
/
week
6.
Tsertos
HaralambosPh.D. in PhysicsM. Sc. in PhysicsB.Sc. in Physics P Full TimeUndergraduate program in Physics 812Elective course offered for other Departments
4
7.
Archontis GeorgiosPh.D. in PhysicsB.Sc. in Physics Assoc.P Full TimeUndergraduate program in Physics 8 12Medical School program48. Itskos Grigorios
Ph.D. in PhysicsB.Sc. In Physics Assoc.P
Full Time
Undergraduate
program in
Physics
8
12
Undergraduate program in Civil Engineering49. Moulopoulos Konstantinos Ph.D. in PhysicsM.Sc. in PhysicsB.Sc. in Physics Assoc. PFull Time Undergraduate program in Physics412Master/Ph.D. program in Physics4Undergraduate program in Mathematics and Statistics 4
P: Professor
Α
ssoc
.
P:
Associate Professor Slide27
TEACHING
PERSONNEL
, QUALIFICATIONS, AND TOTAL TEACHING PERIODS
Α/Α
Name
Qualifications
Rank
*
Full Time
/
Part
Time
Program of Study
Periods
/
week
Total periods
/
week
10.
Ptochos
FotiosPh.D. in PhysicsB.Sc. in Physics Assoc.P Full TimeUndergraduate program in Physics121211.Skourtis Spiros
Ph.D
. in
Physics
B.G.S. in Physics & Mathematics Assoc.P Full Time Undergraduate program in Physics812Master/Ph.D. program inPhysics 412. Theodorakis StavrosPh.D. in PhysicsM.Sc. in PhysicsB.Sc.
in
PhysicsAssoc.P Full TimeUndergraduate Program in Physics
19
Master
in Principles of
Physics
4
Elective course offered for other Departments 413.Toumbas NicolaosPh.D. in PhysicsB.A. in PhysicsAssoc.P Full TimeUndergraduate program in Physics812Master/Ph.D. program in Physics 4Αssoc. P: Associate Professor Slide28
TEACHING
PERSONNEL
, QUALIFICATIONS, AND TOTAL TEACHING PERIODS
Α/Α
Name
Qualifications
Rank
*
Full Time
/
Part
Time
Program of Study
Periods
/
week
Total periods
/
week
14.
Skordis
Constantinos
Ph.D. in PhysicsB.Sc. in Physics Assis. P Full TimeUndergraduate program in Physics4412
Master
in Principles of
Physics
4 4Undergraduate program in Electrical Engineering4 415.Trypiniotis Theodosis Ph.D. in PhysicsB.A./M.A. in Natural Sciences Assis. P Full TimeUndergraduate program in Physics 812
Master/Ph.D
. program in Physics
4
1
In addition to their regular teaching load,
several faculty
members usually teach
graduate specialization courses for the Master and Ph.D. programs of the Department. 2 Due to administrative duties in the Cyprus Institute for the period 09/2015 – 12/2020, Prof. Alexandrou is exempted from teaching two courses, four hours each. These courses are taught by Visiting Professors and/or by other faculty members of the Department. 3 Due to the services of Prof. Christofides as Rector of the University, his teaching load is covered by Visiting Professors and/or Special Scientists (who must be Ph.D. holders). 4 During the period 01/09/2016 – 31/08/2018, Assis. Prof. Skordis is on leave of absence. His courses are taught by Visiting Professors and/or by other faculty members of the Department. Αssis. P: Assistant Professor Slide29
BLACKBOARD https://blackboard.ucy.ac.cy/
Teaching incorporates the use of modern educational technologies that are consistent
with international standards, including a platform for the electronic support of
learning:Slide30
SUPERVISION
OF
UNDERGRADUATE DIPLOMA THESES(a sample of titles)
G. Archontis
“
Molecular
Dynamics Simulations of a peptide from the
adenovirus fiber
shaft, with the potential to self-assemble in amyloid-like nanostructures”. Michalis Kassinopoulos (2012-2013) “Analysis of the structural and dynamical properties of compstatin in solution, by explicit water molecular dynamics simulations”. Phanourios Tamamis (2005-2006),1st prize in the Competition for Undergraduate Students Research in Cyprus (PROFOIT), Cyprus Research Promotion FoundationC. Alexandrou“Nucleon structure in lattice QCD”. C. Kallidonis (2009-2010), Physical Review D 83 114513 (2011)“Evaluation of fermion loops and the nucleon scalar and electromagnetic form factors”. K. Hadjiyiannakou (2010-2011), Computer Physics Communications 183 1215 (2012) Slide31
G. Itskos“Amplified Spontaneous Emission from Hybrid Perovskite Nanocrystal films
”.
A. Manoli (2016-2017)“Optical-Modulated Photoluminescence from PbS
Quantum Dots”. G.
Parperis
(
2016-2017)
K. Moulopoulos“Integer Quantum Hall Effect and its Topological Origin: Berryology and Dirac Monopoles”. Anastasia Antoniou (2017-2018) “Topology in Modern Solid State Physics: From Topological Insulators to Weyl Semimetals”. Adam Lantos (2017-2018)Slide32
A
.
Othonos“Temporal Behavior of Continuum Generation from Ultrafast Pulses”. E.
Papadiofantous (2016-1017
)
H. Panagopoulos
“
The critical mass of
gluinos in Supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory on the lattice”. I. Papaefstathiou (2015-2016)“Two-loop perturbative calculations for fermionic currents”. G. Spanoudes (2014-2015)Slide33
F. Ptochos
“
The pp
H+
tb
channel in the CMS detector in LHC”. C. Christoforou (2017-2018) “Investigation of search for Charged Higgs boson with mass greater than the top quark mass“. M. Toumazou (2016-2017)P. Razis“Measurements of the radiation emitted in the thyroid of treated patients”.
G. Antoniou
(2017-2018)
“
Experimental Determination of the Levels of Non-Ionizing Radiation at 50Hz in Electricity Transmission, Distribution and Consumption Systems
agical
experiments“
. E. Georgiou (2015-2016)Slide34
C. Skordis
“
The Cosmic Microwave Background anisotropies”.
E.
Evripidou
(2017-2018)
“
Gravitational collapse of dark matter and large scale structure”. K. Vattis (2015-2016),Physical Review D 96 123532 (2017)S. Skourtis“Electron transfer reactions in DNA photolyases”. M. Panagiotou (2007-2008) “Photoinduced electron transfer reactions in cryptochromes“. A. Christofi (2006-2007)Slide35
N. Toumbas
“
Holographic Dualities and Emergent Gravity”
. P.
Charalambous
(2017-2018)
“
Black
hole thermodynamics in Anti de Sitter Background”. S. Christodoulou (2016 – 2017)S. Theodorakis“The collapse of attractive Bose-Einstein condensates”. A. Hadjigeorgiou (2017-2018), Journal of Physics B: Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics, 50 235301“Magical experiments“. C. Aristidou (2011-2012), American Journal of Physics, v. 80, p. 657 (2012)Slide36
Research Activities of the teaching personnel involved in the program and
synergies
between research and teaching:
All members of the Department's academic staff participate equally in the teaching of the Undergraduate Physics
program.
Their research
activities address topics of theoretical, experimental and computational nature, in the following areas of Physics: Biophysics, Condensed Matter Physics, Elementary Particle Physics, Gravitation and Cosmology, Laser Physics, Materials Science, Medical Physics, Molecular Physics, Nuclear Physics. Integrating research into an undergraduate Physics program is a
challenging task, as compared to other disciplines: By its nature, original research in many areas of Physics typically begins only well into graduate school, given the extensive and complex background which it necessitates. Despite the difficulty, we insist on introducing our undergraduates to the research activities carried out in
the
Department. This goal is accomplished in the following ways:
Slide37
A.
For courses beyond the core curriculum, there is a natural affinity between course content and actual research directions in the Department, and this is largely brought out during lectures. In addition to the standard content of the specialized courses the lectures may also review some of the research
topics
of the faculty:
PHY301-
Solid State Physics:
Magnetic and topological properties of materials, spintronics. PHY302-Advanced Physics Laboratory I: Ultra-fast lasers, photonics.PHY321-
Nuclear Physics:
Heavy ion collisions, medical applications.
PHY322-
Advanced Physics Laboratory II
: Radiation detection, medical applications.
PHY331
-Particle Physics:
Experiments at CERN, studies of hadronic properties.
PHY341-
Electronics
: Laboratory setups for optical experiments and characterization of materials.
PHY347-
Computational Physics
: Simulations in Biophysics in Molecular Physics and in Elementary Particle Physics, data analysis in experiments.
PHY405-Cosmology and General Theory of Relativity: Phenomenological and mathematical investigations in Cosmology.PHY415-Biophysics: Structure and phases of proteins, quantum mechanical processes in soft condensed matter.PHY427-Atomic and Molecular Physics: Electron transfer in biomolecules, magnetic materials.PHY435-Theoretical Physics: Hadronic phenomena, properties of Quantum Fields, Physics of superstrings.PHY445-Electronic Systems: Electronics setups for the Department's research laboratories. Slide38
B. Core courses: Even in core courses, where the students' background is still not developed enough to allow in-depth discussion, we reap every occasion to expose students to the Department's areas of on-going research. The topics addressed typically vary from one year to the next; this is natural, given the evolution of research topics, but also given the rotation of teaching duties among instructors.
Some
salient
examples are:
PHY113-
Modern Physics
: Kinematics of elementary particles in accelerators.PHY145-Computational Methods in Physics: Monte Carlo simulations for biophysical and subnuclear systems.PHY213-
General Physics III
: Experiments in optics, laser Physics.
PHY216-
Physics Laboratory III
: Laboratory setups for optical experiments
.
PHY235-
Electromagentism
II
: Response of physical systems to magnetic fields
.
PHY326-
Quantum
Mechanics II
: Path integrals in Particle Physics, topological properties in quantum mechanical systems. PHY342-Statistical Physics and Thermodynamics: Phase structure of proteins, transitions in hadronic matter. Slide39
C
. Our
curriculum contains a compulsory specialized course,
PHY351-
Research in Physics
, which is expressly conceived for the purpose of introducing students to research carried out in the Department. All staff members present their research during this course, which is addressed to third year students.
D. Theses: Undergraduate theses at the Physics Department require a much closer collaboration between student and supervisor, as compared to other Departments. In particular, contact is typically on an individual basis, and lasts a few hours per week throughout the academic year. Thus, a thesis represents an excellent occasion for students to experience research up close. Some students even attain a publication in a scientific journal, which is quite a formidable task for an undergraduate in Physics.Slide40
PROGRAM’S CONTENT
Program’s purpose and objectives:
To provide education in Physics of high quality by international standards, producing graduates
of
the caliber sought not only by the public service,
but
also by industry and by the tertiary sector. To enable our graduates to eventually pursue careers as academic teachers and researchers. To attract talented students from a variety of backgrounds, including native speakers of Greek and, given the gradual introduction of courses in English, students from Western Europe, the Middle East and beyond. To provide an intellectually stimulating environment, giving students the opportunity to develop their potential and abilities. To maintain the highest academic standards in teaching; by constantly updating teaching subjects and methods in response to scientific advances and societal needs. To encourage and pursue research of the highest quality in Physics, and largely incorporate research in the undergraduate curriculum. To achieve and maintain a leading role in the undergraduate Physics programs of Eastern Mediterranean Universities and Greek-speaking Universities.Slide41
Upon
graduation from the Undergraduate Physics program, our students must demonstrate
:A solid background in Classical and Modern Physics and competence in Mathematics, other Natural Sciences and use of Computers.
In-depth familiarity with advances in Modern Physics, open problems and challenges.
Versatility and breadth in applications of Physics.
Ability to carry out innovative and comprehensive studies of complex systems in a variety of contexts: Formulation of appropriate
mathematical
models, investigation and solution of the models using a combination of computational and analytic methods.
Ability to use state-of-the-art laboratory equipment. Ability to adapt easily to complex laboratory setups. Ability to teach Physical concepts and disseminate Physical knowledge to students in secondary education, their scientific peers and the general public. Slide42
Further, the Undergraduate Physics program strives to:provide transferable skills such as clear and concise
oral
and written scientific communication, use of relevant information technology and experience with methods of information retrieval. Given that our Department is the only Physics Department in the Republic of Cyprus,
we must encompass the widest possible spectrum of areas in modern Physics
that
can be attained
given
the limited availability of resources. Slide43
Intended
learning outcomes: By the time they graduate, our students are expected to:
Master the standard core curriculum of a Physics undergraduate degree, including Mechanics,
Electromagnetism
, Wave Mechanics, Special Relativity, Quantum Mechanics, Thermodynamics and
Statistical
Physics,
as set out in detail in the course descriptions. Possess powerful tools, such as formal methods introduced in the courses for addressing a wide range of topics. Develop experimental skills, including hands-on experience with modern laboratory instrumentation and ability to design, assemble and test laboratory setups for a wide range of experiments and develop the corresponding skills in data analysis. Acquire mathematical skills at an advanced level. Obtain familiarity with basic concepts in other Natural Sciences. Have experience with Scientific Computing, enabling them to plan and construct algorithms for the numerical investigation of complex problems. Demonstrate in-depth understanding of a breadth of disciplines in Modern Physics, and be largely familiar with the dominant research directions and cutting-edge problems. Understand how principles and methods from Physics are used in modern interdisciplinary research areas
.
Exhibit
versatility and innovative thinking in addressing and managing open questions in a variety of
contexts
for
careers in research, industry, commerce, education and the public sector.
Develop
transferable skills such as: oral and written scientific communication, near fluent use of scientific English
,
use
of information/communication technology, organization and planning of group work.
Critically
appraise the technological, environmental and social relevance of their field of study.
Have some experience of independent work, ideally so in the context of a research project. Slide44
Course
Title
GENERAL PHYSICS I
Course Code
PHY 111
Course Type
Compulsory
Level
Introductory
Year / Semester
1st year/1st semester
Teacher’s Name
Fotios
Ptochos
ECTS
8
Lectures / week
3 (1,5+1,5+1 hours)
Laboratories / week
1 (1 hour tutorial)
Course Purpose and Objectives
Provide the students with the foundations for understanding fundamental concepts of Newtonian Mechanics and related quantities such as energy, momentum and angular momentum and their use with introductory calculus. To enable students develop the appropriate skills and experience in solving problems and explaining basics physical phenomena with the use of appropriate mathematics and scientific methodology.Learning OutcomesUpon the completion of this course the student is expected to demonstrate understanding of the fundamental concepts and laws of Newtonian Mechanics. To learn the definition and the use of basic concepts such as the momentum, energy and angular momentum. To get familiar with and demonstrate analytical reasoning ability by constructing equations for infinitesimal quantities and solve them by integration. To acquire experience in analyzing problems in Newtonian Mechanics through the use of demonstrations and simulations and demonstrate ability to apply the acquired skills in real world settings. To establish the importance of the scientific method to explain and communicate the interpretation of physical phenomena. To understand and develop basic intuition for the use of the scientific method in physics. To develop the necessary scientific understanding of concepts upon which the rest of the courses in the physics curriculum are based. PrerequisitesNoneCo-requisitesNoneCourse ContentMeasurement Units, Dimensional Analysis, Vectors. Motion in one and more dimensions, Velocity and Acceleration, Reference Frames. Forces, Newton's Laws. Work, Mechanical Energy. Momentum, Centre of Mass. Torque, Angular Momentum, Moment of Inertia. Oscillations. Universal Gravitation, Kepler's Laws. Fluid Mechanics.Teaching MethodologyLectures, demonstrations and use of simulations by the instructor and students in order to present and facilitate the understanding of various concepts. An extra hour of tutorials for demonstration of problem solving methodologies and clarifying and alleviating problems and misconceptions. Bibliography«University Physics» - Vol. I - H. Young and R. Freedman – publ. Pearson. «Πανεπιστημιακή Φυσική» - Τόμος Α – H. Young and R. Freedman – translation in greek – publ.
Παπαζήση
.
«Physics for scientists and Engineers” – Vol. I – R.
Serway and J. Jewett – publ. Cengage Learning.«Physics for Scientists and Engineers » - R. Serway and J. Jewett – translation in greek – publ. Κλειδάριθμος. «Matter and Interactions» - Vol I – R. Chabay and B. Sherwood – publ. Willey.AssessmentThe final grade mark is based on a continuous evaluation scheme outlined as follows. Weekly homework problems, quizzes twice a week during the lectures, two midterm examinations and a final examination on the entire course material. Each part of the evaluation scheme counts a percentage towards the final grade. Failure to satisfy the evaluation requirements the course needs to be repeated along with all requirements of the evaluation scheme.LanguageGreekCOURSE DESCRIPTION (a sample)Slide45
Student admission requirements :
The vast majority of undergraduate students are admitted to the University of Cyprus based on their performance in the Pancyprian Exams, organised by the Ministry of
Education and Culture. Students wishing to study Physics are tested in Modern Greek, Mathematics
and Physics, and in one
additional subject
chosen among Biology, Chemistry,
Computer
Science and Technology. Other admission criteria for entry to an undergraduate program of study include: Special CriteriaCandidates who have taken the Pancyprian Examinations and meet certain special criteria, as specified in the Rules and Regulations of Academic and Student Affairs Office, may apply for a limited number of places (14% of the places offered to Cypriot students). Top athletes and persons distinguished in International Olympiads Distinguished athletes and students who have won 1st, 2nd or 3rd medals in International Olympiads can be exempted from the entrance exam requirement, and may be granted admission to some programs on the basis of their Lyceum Leaving Certificate. Admissions on the basis of the Panhellenic Examinations A number of places (10% of the total number of places offered through the Pancyprian Examinations) may be given to candidates who have taken the Panhellenic Examinations. The candidates are selected on the basis of their performance in the exams. Cypriots who are permanent residents of Greece may also take the Panhellenic Examinations. Slide46
Entry
on the basis of International Examinations
An additional number of places (3% of the places offered to Cypriot students) may be granted on the basis of international examinations such as GCE, Baccalaureate or other equivalent examinations. Cypriots belonging to the Republic’s official religious groups, repatriated Cypriots, Cypriots who reside
permanently abroad, Greeks of the diaspora, children of officials of the Cypriot Foreign Service and
foreign
citizens of
European
Union countries or countries outside the EU may apply for these places
.Turkish-Cypriots Turkish Cypriots graduating from six-grade secondary schools can be admitted on the basis of their High School Leaving Certificate and special exams organised by the Department.Transfers/Second Degree Every year the University of Cyprus offers a limited number of places for internal/external transfers and for students who wish to obtain a second degree. The Council of the Physics Department is responsibleto review the applications and recommend for admission. Exemption from courses may be provided if the applicant has already passed equivalent courses and completed the equivalent ECTS units under the previous program. Slide47
Brief
Curriculum Vitae of the Academic
Personnel
(a sample)
Alexandrou Constantia, Professor, since 2004, and Institute Professor at the Cyprus Institute since 2010. She holds a B.A. First Class Honors Degree in Physics from Oxford University (1980) and a Ph.D. in Theoretical Nuclear Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1985). She was postdoctoral associate at the Swiss Institute for Nuclear Research and at the University of Erlangen (1986-1989). She was Research member of the Theory Group at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland from 1989 to 1993 when she joined the University of Cyprus as an Assistant Professor and then as an Associate Professor in 1995. She leads Hadron Structure calculations using large-scale simulations of Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) and heads the computational lab on QCD at the University and the Simulation Lab in Nuclear and Particle Physics at the Cyprus Institute. She has numerous scientific publications and invited talks at international meetings and has organized workshops in Cyprus and abroad. She has coordinated several research programs funded from the Research Promotion Foundation (RPF), the European Union and the University of Cyprus. Among others, she is currently the coordinator of two H2020 European Joint Doctorate program of about of 3.7 million Euro each. She is the Acting Director of the Computation-based Science and Technology Research Center of the Cyprus Institute and representative of Cyprus at IUPAP and PRACE. She served as the first Head of the Department of Physics, as Vice-Chair of the Interim Governing Board (IGB) of the Cyprus Institute and as Chair of the IGB of the Computational-based Science and Technology Research Center (CaSToRC
) of the Cyprus Institute.Slide48
Regulations
and Procedures for Quality Assurance for the program of study
All faculty members, in collaboration with the coordinator of undergraduate studies, ensure the smooth implementation of the program at both the administrative and the academic level. The structure of the program and the contents of the courses are regularly reviewed by the Departmental Council in order to be updated and revised if necessary. Proposals for structural changes or proposals for the creation of new programmes of study have to be approved by the Undergraduate Studies Committee of the University.
The quality of the program is further assessed via evaluation procedures, as set by the University, including external departmental evaluations
. The Physics Department has been evaluated twice thus far, in 2000 and 2012, by International Review Committees.
In order to ensure the equal participation of all faculty members in the various programs of study, the Physics Department implements a rotation program for the teaching of courses. The Chairperson appoints and chairs a three-member committee that oversees the rotation and the allocation of courses to the members of the Department. Slide49
Evaluation
of Teaching
Teaching
is evaluated at the end of each semester; the teaching personnel is evaluated
by
the students who fill in special questionnaires about the teaching of the course.
The
questionnaires are then processed by the Centre for Teaching and
Learning. Slide50
Feasibility study
The Department of Physics is the only university department in the republic of Cyprus which offers an undergraduate program of studies in physics. The undergraduate program was initiated in 1993 and it now accepts annually approximately 40 students based on their grade in the state university entrance examinations (
Pancyprian
examinations). It also accepts annually approximately 10 students using different entry criteria (special-needs criteria, transfers from other universities, performance in physics Olympiads etc.). The program of studies is comprehensive, offering courses that cover both the introductory fundamental subjects of physics as well as a wide variety of more specialized subjects. The offered theoretical and experimental courses include fundamental, applied and interdisciplinary subfields of physics. The combination of rigor and variety in the course material, which includes many electives in pure and applied subjects, provides firm foundations for careers in physics and in other areas that require analytical and problem-solving skills. The Department also offers a
secondary program
for students from other university departments who are interested in obtaining a second major in physics. The policy of the department is that all courses be taught by the faculty in order to ensure consistency and quality. When necessary the department also uses highly experienced faculty form other universities whose knowledge and teaching skills enhance the quality of the program.Slide51
Student
welfare mechanisms for monitoring the sufficiency of student support
Student support is provided at the departmental level, as well as the university level via the Academic Affairs and Student Welfare Service (AASWS).
At the departmental level, each student is assigned with an
Academic Advisor
(who must be a faculty member). The Advisor reviews the students’ academic progress and guides them with their program of study and their performance. All academics set regular office hours, where students have the opportunity to discuss difficulties they are facing and other issues related to their classes. In addition, students
receive feedback on their projects and exams, notes, the syllabus and other pertinent information about their courses
via the electronic Banner-Web system. At the university level, the AASWS supports the students in addressing various functional issues. Support is provided to students with health, financial and psychological problems. Specifically, the Support Office aims in providing the best and most effective means of support to the students in order to be able to meet their academic obligations.
Students with disabilities, health problems or social and financial problems can visit the Support Office and discuss any issue or concern they might have about their studies. These discussions are strictly confidential. The Support office, in close collaboration with the academic departments, helps them to find ways of dealing with their difficulty (e.g. by providing support facilities and making the
necessary
adjustments
).
Slide52
Several of our graduates have continued
to graduate school abroad, at:
Cambridge, Imperial, Oxford, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Manchester, UCL, Nottingham, Duke, Ohio State, SUNY Buffalo, UCLA, Rutgers, U. of Michigan, U. of Texas, Brown, Syracuse, McGill, U
. of Tübingen, U. of Pisa, U. of
Crete …
A
number of our graduates
have
pursued a career in research and academic institutions. Especially noteworthy cases are the following graduates who have obtained faculty positions: Martha Constantinou, Assistant Professor at Temple University (USA) Phanourios Tamamis, Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University (USA) Giannis Koutsou, Assistant Professor at Cyprus InstituteA final Note:Slide53