BSc in Physics
From atoms to galaxies — explore, experiment, measure and analyse the world around you.
Introduction
Physics is a study of natural phenomena and the general laws that govern them. It covers a wide range of subjects from the smallest constituents of matter in particle physics to the whole universe in astrophysics. Between the two lies the human and terrestrial, which give us an understanding of everyday life and experience.
Please visit this page to learn more about our four-year undergraduate programmes.
With a rich history of ideas, observations and experiments, Physics is one of the most verified and reasoned methods of viewing the world. It studies natural phenomena and the general laws that govern them, and uses tools of measurement, experimentation, mathematics and computation.
Learn how to build conceptual, qualitative, and quantitative models
Use physical principles to provide precise explanations for an understanding of everyday phenomena.
Solve complex, real-world problems
Apply existing knowledge to acquire relevant knowledge to analyse and solve complex, real-world problems and not only textbook exercises.
Hypothesise assumptions
Learn how to hypothesise and enumerate assumptions and represent results coherently .
Design experiments and use tools
Learn how to build simple demonstrations and process data and use technological tools for your work.
Tinker and fix
We encourage you to test your physics knowledge in everyday life!
WE BRING YOU INTERDISCIPLINARY OPENNESS
Our degree encourages you to explore and follow your interests. We design our courses to ensure that you can specialise in a subject of your choice while learning a variety of subjects across disciplines.
A COMMON CURRICULUM FOR ALL STUDENTS
You will meet all your classmates at the beginning of your degree to build all the tools you need for your three years of study. This includes foundational courses, an understanding of India, interdisciplinary studies, and a workshop in creative expressions.
WE OFFER ACADEMIC ASSISTANCE
We provide active academic assistance and ensure that you are able to meet the requirements of the academic programme to fulfil your aspirations.
WE ENSURE FINANCIAL SUPPORT
We ensure that no student has to drop out of university because of financial trouble or social disadvantage. We provide financial assistance to deserving students.
Hands-On Physics is a repository of engagements by the faculty and students of the Azim Premji University. Quite generally, people interested in reading and sharing ideas, news and work in physics
Living on campus
We believe that learning happens both inside and outside the classroom. In living together, you can meet and encounter diverse people from different social and cultural backgrounds and experiences. Our campus has a range of activities from discussion groups to sports and clubs for our students and faculty to interact with each other and build meaningful relationships over their years of study.
Know more about the Bengaluru campus here.
Know more about Azim Premji University at Bhopal here.
Course structure
Our courses help you develop the attitudes, skills and discipline necessary for a serious study and practice of physics.
Please visit this page to learn more about our four-year undergraduate programmes.
Listen to our graduates of 2019 talking about their Physics Honours projects. The honours project is designed for students to be able to apply their knowledge in a synthesised piece of work. This involves working closely with a faculty member on a specific topic, developing a research question, and writing a thesis.
The Common Curriculum will introduce students to the study of the themes and areas that emphasise and build critical and analytical abilities, and sensibilities for dialogue, reflection and cooperative learning. The Common Curriculum has three sub-components organised as below:
Foundations: Build capacity for critical thinking, reasoning and communication.
Understanding India: India’s history, society and possible futures
Creative Expressions: Explore music, visual art, theatre, dance, martial arts, yoga, pottery, sport, and other creative areas.
We offer broad introductory courses for you to have a good foundation and clear understanding of mechanics, electricity, heat, light and wave phenomena. Core courses have an integrated tutorial and laboratory component.
Our core courses sometimes require an understanding of other scientific disciplines, and to ensure that you are able to study with ease, we offer you supportive courses in methods, chemistry, mathematics and biology.
Introduction to Physics I
Core
Experimental Foundations: Perform experiments that were significant milestones in the development of physics.
Introduction to Physics II
Core
Scope, tools and ideas
Mechanics
Core
A not so mechanical approach to Newtonian mechanics.
Thermal Physics
Core
A study of processes that involve energy and entropy.
Wave Phenomena
Core
The basis for understanding electromagnetic waves that constitute light, matter waves in quantum physics, and gravitational waves in cosmology.
Optics
Core
Understand the nature of light and how it can be manipulated for a variety of applications ubiquitous in daily life.
Electricity and Magnetism
Core
The electromagnetic force, unifying electrical and magnetic forces, is one of the four fundamental forces.
Modern Physics
Core
A look at the major developments of Physics.
Mathematical Methods in Physics 1
Core
Experimental Foundations: Perform experiments that were significant milestones in the development of physics.
Mathematical Methods in Physics II
Core
Everyday math for a physicist!
Atoms and Molecules
Core
This is an introductory course in chemistry for students of physics.
Computing in Physics
Core
Learn to write programs and use it to understand physics.
You can choose for a set of courses in Physics for a broad scientific education as well as a set of courses from other disciplines in Biology, Economics, Humanities and Mathematics.
Electronics
Elective
Electronic instrumentation is fundamental to almost any kind of experimental physics.
Microcontrollers and Instrumentation
Elective
Measure and control physical parameters for all sorts of laboratory and commercial applications.
Nonlinear Dynamics
Elective
Exploring dynamics of proteins, fireflies, pendulums and more!
Astronomy
Elective
Using physics to explain observations at cosmic scales. It’s truly out of this world!
Quantum Mechanics
Elective
A concrete introduction to the abstract principles of quantum mechanics.
Advanced Mechanics
Elective
Lagrangian, non-inertial frames, spinning tops and more...
Solid State Physics
Elective
A solid basis to understand materials.
Microcontrollers and Instrumentation
Elective
Measure and control physical parameters for all sorts of laboratory and commercial applications.
Spectroscopy and its Application to Nanomaterials
Elective
Shedding light on what the eye cannot see.
Soft Matter
Elective
This course emphasizes the quantitative approach of physics and mathematics applied to everyday materials.
Students must be prepared for the world of work at the end of the programme should they choose to enter it. We aim to provide the required skills and competencies for this through a Minor featuring courses in an Occupational or Interdisciplinary theme. These sets of courses are aimed to provide both conceptual understanding and skills and tools that will allow students to contribute through work and further study.
Students can opt for a minor in any one of the indicative areas listed below:
- Education
- Media and Journalism
- Data and Democracy
- Sports and Fitness
- Climate Studies
- Arts
The selection of these indicative areas is based on the availability of courses and our evaluation of the student’s interests and academic needs. For each cohort, a final list of available courses will be announced at the end of their second semester.
Students can craft their own educational experience by selecting courses in the following ways:
- Students will have the option to take additional courses in their Disciplinary major
- Students will have the option to take additional courses in another discipline as a minor
- Interdisciplinary minor that will enable them for their further higher studies or career pathways.
These courses could also be selected to enhance and broaden their
- Language skills and Quantitative reasoning capacities/programming skills
- Understanding of themes outside their Major subject
