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Chair's welcome


It is with great pleasure we welcome you to the Department of Applied Physics & Astronomy.

Our students are encouraged to take part in research activities, which has proven to be a great asset for finding jobs. Students have access to well-equipped laboratories and analytical techniques available at the University's main campus, the Sharjah Center for Astronomy and Space Sciences (SCASS), and some international laboratories such as CERN.

Our teaching staff is involved in a wide range of advanced research areas covering X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, archaeometry, astronomy, astrophysics, biomedical application of ultrasound, environmental acoustics, radiation detection and monitoring, thermal properties of solid materials, solar cell growth and characterization, optical spectroscopy of semiconductors, characterization and modeling of metallic nano-particles, nuclear physics, high energy physics, particle physics, quantum physics, computational physics, geology, geophysics and remote sensing.

In addition to commitment to teaching and research, our staff is involved in several community outreach projects. Among these projects are the regular Physics Shows at local high schools, workshops and public seminars, as well as the regular consultations we offer to various sects of the community.

Our goal in the Department of Applied Physics and Astronomy is to ensure that our graduates are well-qualified and prepared for employment in scientific careers, advanced professional training, and graduate study.

The Department offers two Bachelor Degrees and three Master degrees:

-BSc in Applied Physics. The program is designed to provide high quality education in physics at the undergraduate level. It is structured to fulfil the needs of physics graduates to enable them to face the general challenges of a professional career in the field and/or pursue further studies in physics or related fields. The Applied Physics Program is the only program in the United Arab Emirates that offers a bachelor’s degree in the field of Applied Physics with emphasis on Astronomy and Space Sciences, High Energy Physics, Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage, Quantum Computing, Nanotechnology, Environmental and Medical Physics. Graduates are expected to find employment in hospitals, environmental agencies, radiation monitoring centers, civil defense, various industries, space programs as well as educational (teaching) and research institutions.

-BSc in Petroleum Geophysics and Remote Sensing. Graduates from PGRS will normally complete a balanced curriculum in mathematics, sciences, petroleum geosciences, geology and remote sensing. Graduates from the PGRS will find employment opportunities covering a wide spectrum mainly in petroleum sectors. Geoscientists are in high demand in many oil and gas industries, mineral and water exploration, geo-imaging and remote sensing, natural risks management, environmental monitoring, forensic geosciences and archaeological excavation and preservation, as well as research positions in industry and government laboratories. Problem-solving techniques learned in the petroleum geosciences curriculum create opportunities for continued educational pursuits and/or higher graduate study in geosciences.

-MSc in Astronomy and Space Sciences. The program addresses the need of the UAE and the global community for experts in space sciences. Graduates will be qualified to contribute to the Hope mission as well as future space programs, as well as, work in the fields of astronomy and astrophysics.

-MSc GIS and remote sensing. The Master of Science GISRS is designed to provide the students with multidisciplinary knowledge and skills required for working in a wide range of careers that deals with geospatial data and applications. Moreover, the proposed program aims at establishing a geospatially-centered teaching and research environment and providing world-class knowledge and expertise for multi-disciplinary research in Engineering, Computer, Environmental, Social and Earth Sciences, Sustainable Development, as well as Information and Data Management Technologies.

-MSc in Physics. The program focuses on the concept of a comprehensive system that spans a wide spectrum of physics topics that extend all the way from nanostructures to astronomical dimensions. Integration of experimental and theoretical education and research is in the core of the program with the ultimate goal of yielding distinguished knowledge and cutting edge research findings. The academic aims of the program are to prepare students for professional roles in the area of applied physics, with the knowledge and skills to advance the discipline from the academic, research and practical standpoints. Graduates will be prepared to address the current and future challenges in disciplines such as scientific industries, government laboratories, consultations, research and development, management and investment in Physics, and academic positions. The intent is also to prepare students to engage in independent and collaborative research in academic, governmental and applied science contexts. During this educative process, students will participate in knowledge generation and improvement, research synthesis, and knowledge/technology transfer.


Prof. Mounir Gaidi