National Institute of Technology Calicut (NITC) has invited applications for M.Sc (Physics) entrance exam. B.Sc (Physics or Mathematics) graduates with at least 60% marks can submit applications till May 3, 2013. The syllabus of the exam include questions from subject areas like mathematical methods, solid state physics, devices and electronics, mechanics and general properties of matter, modern physics, oscillations, waves and optics, kinetic theory, thermodynamics and electricity and magnetism.

Detailed syllabus of M.Sc (Physics) Entrance Exam in NITC

The syllabus of M.Sc (Physics) entrance exam will mainly involve questions from the following subject areas –

Mathematical Methods

• Algebra of complex numbers
• Calculus of single and multiple variables
• Divergence theorem
• Green’s theorem
• Imperfect and perfect differentials
• Matrices and determinants
• Multiple integrals
• Partial derivatives
• Stokes’ theorem
• Taylor expansion
• Vector algebra
• Vector Calculus

Solid State Physics, Devices and Electronics

• X-ray diffraction and Bragg’s law
• Transistor circuits in CB, CE, CC modes
• Origin of energy bands
• Operational amplifiers
• Miller indices
• Langevin’s theory of paramagnetism
• Intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors
• Free electron theory of metals
• Einstein and Debye theory of specific heat
• Crystal structure
• Concept of holes and effective mass
• Bravais lattices and basis

Mechanics and General Properties of Matter

• Conservation of linear and angular momentum
• Conservative and non conservative forces
• Coriolis forces
• Elastic and inelastic collisions
• Elasticity
• Euler’s equation
• Gravitational Law and field
• Kepler’s laws
• Kinematics of moving fluids
• Moments of Inertia and Products of Inertia
• Motion under a central force
• Newton’s laws of motion and applications
• System of particles

Modern Physics

• Wave-particle duality
• Structure of atomic nucleus
• Schrödinger equation
• Reflection and transmission at a step potential
• Radioactivity and its applications
• Postulates of special relativity
• Photoelectric effect
• Pauli Exclusion Principle
• Mass and binding energy
• Lorentz transformations
• Laws of radioactive decay
• Inertial frames and Galilean invariance
• Fission and fusion
• Distinguishable and indistinguishable particles
• Compton Effect
• Bohr’s atomic model

Oscillations, Waves and Optics

• Differential equation for simple harmonic oscillator and its general solution
• Lissajous figures
• Damped and forced oscillators
• Wave equation
• Standing waves in one-dimension
• Energy density and energy transmission in waves
• Group velocity and phase velocity
• Sound waves in media
• Doppler Effect
• Fermat’s Principle
• General theory of image formation
• Fraunhofer diffraction
• Rayleigh criterion and resolving power
• Diffraction gratings
• Double refraction and optical rotation

Kinetic theory, Thermodynamics

• Zeroeth law and concept of thermal equilibrium
• Velocity distribution and Equipartition of energy
• Thermodynamic potentials and their applications
• Second law and entropy
• Reversible, irreversible and quasi-static processes
• Phase transitions and Clausius-Clapeyron equation.
• Mean free path
• Maxwell’s thermodynamic relations and simple applications
• Laws of thermodynamics
• Isothermal and adiabatic processes
• Elements of Kinetic theory of gases
• Carnot cycle

Electricity and Magnetism

• Transmission and reflection coefficients
• Solution of Laplace’s equation for simple cases
• Simple DC and AC circuits with R, L and C components
• Reflection and Refraction at a dielectric interface
• Poynting’s theorem
• Maxwell’s equations and plane electromagnetic waves
• Lorentz Force and motion of charged particles in electric and magnetic fields
• Gauss’s law
• Electrostatic boundary conditions
• Electric field and potential
• Displacement current
• Coulomb’s law
• Biot-Savart law
• Alternating currents

Candidates who have completed B.Sc (Physics or Mathematics) with at least 60% marks can apply for M.Sc (Physics) course in NITC. Qualified candidates in entrance exam need to attend Personal Interview as well.