Department of Physics

Physics Programme is one of the founding programmes of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi (the then Federal University of Technology, Bauchi). As at the time of the first set of students were admitted in 1981/82 session, the programme had one (1) Professor, one (1)Reader, 2 senior Lecturers, 4 Lecturers I and II, Programme graduates its first set of students in the 1987/88 session. The first coordinator was Prof. Elijah Diket Mshelia, FAS a Nuclear Theoretical Physicists. Later, Professor Jacob Koshy, a Professor of Solid State Physics, became the coordinator in 1993. Mal. Sani Ali became acting Coordinator in 1995. In order to boost the students’ intake in the programme and also in line with the goals of a University of Technology, the Programme proposed and the senate and the other relevant organs of the University approved the following degree option.

1. Tech. (Hons) Applied Physics
2. (Hons) Applied Geophysics
3. (Hons) Physics Electronics
4. Tech. (Hons) Engineering Physics

With the Introduction of these Degree options, the student intake increases tremendously. Professor M. F. Haque succeeded Mal Sani Ali in 1998. Mr O. W. Olasoji became the coordinator in 2003. Dr. F. W Burari succeeded Mr O. W. Olasoji in 2005. Dr M. A. AbdulAzeez is now the coordinator from November, 2009 to date.

The Programme has four (4) Laboratories. These are General Physics, Electrical/Electronics Laboratory houses equipment for experiments, in dynamics, mechanics, properties of matter and heat. The electrical/electronics laboratory houses equipment and chemicals for experiments in magnetism, electricity, electrolysis and electrolytes, electronics, radioactivity, photography etc., while the optics’ laboratory houses equipment for light, wave sound, vibration experiments. The research laboratory is used for advanced and postgraduate experiments.

The undergraduate programme during the first years is of a broad nature. During This period an attempt was made to cover a core of physics, comprising classical mechanics, electromagnetism, and thermodynamics. Optics, atomic physics and quantum mechanics and an introduction to some fields of research in physics is made, consisting of nuclear physics, solid state physics and some electronics. The fourth year is set aside for industrial attachment, prior to which must normally have completed and passed all scheduled courses, with the exception of possibly a few to be ”carried over” into the final year not more than twelve credit unit. In the fifth and final year a choice of courses (option) are offered in other to deepen a student’s understanding of area of interest mentioned earlier, namely solid state physics or nuclear physics. All students are required to undertake an independent research project during both semester of the final year. The degree awarded at the end of studies is B. Tech (Hons) Applied physics / physics Electronics/ Engineering Physics/ Applied Geophysics.

The Programme has produced so many graduates in the field of applied physics, applied geophysics, physics electronics and engineering physics. The graduates from the programme are working in various field of life from educational sector, industries, banks, and oil company etc. some of our graduates are now self-employed and consultants to various companies and government agencies. The programme MSc and PhD programmes in the areas of theoretical / experimental solid state physics, applied geophysics. Nuclear physics, theoretical physics and energy studies. The programme also offers post-graduate diploma in applied geophysics.