This course is intended to introduce students to some of the fundamental concepts and principles underlying Physics so as to develop the scientific problem-solving skills and logical reasoning of students. The knowledge acquired is for later application in allied programmes like Nursing, Optometry, Computer, Science, Science Education and Laboratory Technology.  The main topics treated include Physical quantities, vectors, Dynamics, Kinematics, Thermodynamics, Work, Energy and Power.

Topics to be treated for the course are; Introduction optics, waves, electricity and magnetism: reflection and refraction on plane surfaces; lens formulae, thin lens in contact, characteristics of wave motion, sound waves, resonance, static electricity; the coulomb ; electric potential, capacitors, current.

This is an introduction to the dynamics of liquids and gases. The following topics are discussed: compressibility of liquids and gases, continuity of mass and distribution of forces in fluids, conservation of mass and energy in fluid flows, Navier-Stokes equations, laminar and turbulent flow, flow in boundary layers, ideal fluids, Bernoulli’s equation, inhomogeneous fluids and gases. 

Students would be introduced to the following:

Geometric Optics: Fermat’s Principle, colour dispersion, plane surfaces and prisms, thin prisms, the combination of thin prisms, images formed by paraxial rays, optical fibre, spherical surfaces, derivation of the Gaussian formula, thin lenses, spherical mirrors, lens aberrations, optical instruments.

Heat: Macroscopic and microscopic descriptions of temperature and thermodynamic equilibrium measurement of temperature and heat, Heat capacity and specific heat capacity, heat transfer, thermal energy balance. Kinetic theory of gases, First law of thermodynamics, Second law of thermodynamics, the third law of thermodynamics.

Atomic Theory: Discovery of the electron, atoms and the periodic table, light sources and their spectra, the structure of the atom, Photoelectric effect, X-rays, electromagnetic waves and vacuum tubes, vacuum tubes and transistors, electron optics, spinning electrons, Radio, Radar, TV, and microwaves, photon collisions and atomic waves.

This is the practical component of PHY 201 and is designed to help students gain some hands-on experience with laboratory equipment as they perform experiments to enhance their understanding of some the theoretical concepts.  Such experiments include the determination moments of forces, verification of the laws of collision and determination of moment of inertia of rigid bodies.

This course is an extension of the electricity and magnetism basics introduced in PHY 102.  It is designed to improve students understanding of electric and magnetic phenomena.  The course covers basic computation of electric and magnetic fields, calculation of electric potentials and their applications.  A.C. theory and electromagnetic waves and their related calculations are covered. Application of RCL circuit is discussed.

This is the practical component of PHY 202 and is intended to help students gain some hands-on experience with laboratory equipment as they perform experiments to enrich their understanding of some the theoretical concepts.  Such experiments include the determination of Inductance, Reactance and Impedance of AC circuits. 

This is a two-part course which deals with (i) Thermal Physics which involves thermodynamic systems; Kinetic Theory; heat capacity of gases are treated. (ii) Solar Physics which involves the model of the Sun; radiative energy transfer equation; Solar-Earth geometry; planetary motion; Extraterrestrial solar energy; Scattering in the Earth’s atmosphere; Solar energy variation at ground level; Total global diffuse and Direct irradiances. 

This is a course designed to meet the needs of future Atmospheric and Climate Scientists. It provides the students with the tools that scientists use to solve scientific problems, gives them the opportunity to use these tools to design and perform experiments in a laboratory setting. The Classification, Sampling and Measurement Analysis of Large Experimental Data, Errors of Measurements are to be highlighted. It also enables students to become acquainted with the way scientific information is communicated.

This course covers ionization and non-ionizing radiation based equipments and atmospheric radiation. Other topics include: Radiometric Units Lasers: Radiofrequency (RF) and Microwave: Medical, geological, exploratory, computer, oscilloscopic etc. equipments; radioactivity: Measurements, experimental investigations and instrumentation requirements; Applications to installations and hazard detection. 

Measurement Techniques is a practical oriented course involving laboratory experiments to illustrate meteorological phenomena. Field measurements of wind profile, ground heat flux, and solar radiation components will be undertaken. Measurements of radioactive contaminants in the atmosphere and water quality assessment with respect to radioactive contamination be carried out.

This is a three part practical orientation programme conducted in collaboration with the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) and it involves (i) Meteorological observing, plotting and the use of routine instruments. (ii) Operational analyses and aviation forecasting techniques. (iii) Climatological methods and statistical concepts.  

The principal concepts of the equations in Electrostatics, Magnetostatics and Electromagnetic induction, Maxwell’s Equations and Electromagnetic Wave Equation will be covered in this course. Other topics include: The transmission of EM waves in the Ionosphere, Wave guides and Optical Properties of Electric Fields. 

This course describes the behavior and dynamics of the tropical troposphere, from the large-scale energy balance down to cumulus convection and tropical cyclones. Topics include: ITD, ITCZ, monsoons, TEJ, AEJ, El Nino, ENSO, tropical flow Instability; easterly waves, vortices, tropical experiments-GATE, FGCE, MONEX and WAMEX; Present forecasting methods/difficulties in the tropics.

Hydrometeorology covers principles related to the modeling, observing, and forecasting of processes related to water and energy fluxes and storage terms. This includes the hydrological cycle; Measurement and estimation of evaporation by Penman's method; Soil moisture, runoffs and the effects of vegetation on water balance. Hydrometeorological practices & forecasting techniques in the tropics will be covered. 

This course will cover major ocean currents their characteristics, similarities and connection with atmospheric general circulation. The effects of topography, sea surface temperatures on the Gulf Stream, EI Nino, the Gulf of Guinea currents, sea fogs among others. Topics on Oceanographic forecasting - important to fishermen, oil companies: and Navy Sea surface temperature maps will be covered. 

This course covers the physics/micro-physics of evaporation and condensation in the formation of clouds and the use of satellite and weather radar for monitoring cloud development and precipitation.

This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of electrical processes in the atmosphere, with emphasis on theories of charge generation in thunderclouds and their atmospheric effects. The physics of lightening and lightening protection will be treated. 

The main objectives of this course are to treat the various applications of weather/meteorological observations to agriculture. This involves the suggestion of suitable regions for crop production (agroclimatic zoning) and the local variations in crop/animal production. Topics include: Investigation of atmospheric conditions for crops; Farming systems; Soil erosion; Crop-weather modelling for yields and growths; Microclimate modification for crop/animal production.

This course will provide a deeper understanding on the theories and applications of radar, satellites, and lidar. The use of satellite imagery as a forecasting aide and the use of Doppler radar to monitor severe weather and short term forecasting will be treated.