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Physics Honours · Semester 1

Syllabus content and study suggestions for this semester.

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The syllabus and original practice suggestions below are based on a university-authored PDF. Confirm the version and your admitted course against your record. No exam date or result is posted here.
SYLLABUS SUMMARY · SOURCE CHECKED 29 SEP 2026

Physics Major · 1st Semester

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Major papers

PHY-M-T-1 · Mathematical Physics-IMajor theory · 4 credits
  1. Calculus: differentiation, first- and second-order differential equations, partial derivatives and Lagrange multipliers
  2. Vector calculus: scalar/vector fields, gradient, divergence, curl, vector integration and Gauss, Green and Stokes theorems
  3. Orthogonal curvilinear coordinates and vector operators in Cartesian, spherical and cylindrical systems
  4. Matrices: eigenvalues, eigenvectors, Cayley-Hamilton theorem and diagonalization
  5. Probability: binomial, Gaussian and Poisson distributions
  6. Dirac delta function and its properties

This is a checked summary of the Major paper. The complete unit text and prescribed readings are still being added here.

PHY-M-P-1 · Mathematical Physics-I practicalMajor practical · 2 credits

Scientific computing, numerical errors, programming and plotting, root-finding, interpolation, numerical differentiation/integration, random numbers and curve fitting are covered in the lab syllabus.

The PDF also lists Minor, multidisciplinary, skill enhancement and value-added components. Your registered combination determines what you take.

ORIGINAL PRACTICE · NOT AN OFFICIAL QUESTION PAPER

Study suggestions

Original questions mapped to the listed major paper. These are practice suggestions, not a prediction of the exam.

  1. Differential equations: Solve dy/dx + 2y = 0 with y(0)=3.
    Answer and working

    dy/y = -2dx, so ln|y|=-2x+C and y=Ce^(-2x). The initial condition gives C=3; y=3e^(-2x).

  2. Vector calculus: Find the divergence of F=(x²,y²,z²).
    Answer and working

    ∇·F = ∂x²/∂x + ∂y²/∂y + ∂z²/∂z = 2x+2y+2z.

  3. Matrices: Find the eigenvalues of the diagonal matrix diag(2,5).
    Answer and working

    For a diagonal matrix the eigenvalues are its diagonal entries, 2 and 5; equivalently det(A-λI)=(2-λ)(5-λ)=0.

  4. Numerical analysis: Why does bisection require a sign change across the starting interval?
    Answer and working

    For a continuous function, opposite signs at the endpoints guarantee at least one root in the interval by the intermediate value theorem. Without that condition, bisection has no such guarantee.