These research graduate programmes enable candidates to conduct original and independent investigation within the scientific community. Enrolled researchers can be afforded the opportunity to visit conferences and skills training workshops in their area of specialization throughout the tenure of their degree. Graduates can lead academic or independent careers benefitting from their expertise and the gained mastery in publication strategies and scientific networking.

The Department of Physics at St. Augustine offers opportunities for postgraduate studies leading to MPhil and PhD degrees by research and thesis.

Normally all students register for an MPhil degree but after a year it is possible to upgrade one’s registration to a PhD degree on the recommendation of the supervisor and the approval of the Board for Higher degrees.

Entry Requirements

The minimum qualification for admission to the MPhil programme is a BSc General Honours degree in Physics (minimum GPA 3.0) or its equivalent from an approved University.

A candidate admitted for postgraduate studies with a Pass or a Lower Second Bachelor’s degree or equivalent is normally required to take a qualifying examination by the end of the first year. Passing of the qualifying examination is a prerequisite for the continuation of postgraduate studies and submission of thesis.

The following existing Research areas are :

 

(1)   Electronics

  • Design and implmentation of Digital Signal Processing (DSP) algorithms for their application in:
  • Communication Systems
  • Automatic Speech Recognition Systems
  • Smart Grid Systems
  • Digital System Design using Digital Signal Processors, FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), Rsberry Pi, Arduino Uno etc.
  • Modelling and Simulation of Comuunication Systems.
  • Smart Grid Technology
  • Renewable energy Integration with the electrical grid.   
  • Biomedical Assistive Technologies
  • Wireless Communication
  • Digital Filter Design
  • Wireless Sensor Network
  • Intelligent Algorithms and Artifical Intelligence
  • Machine/Deep Learning Applications
  • Internet of Things Applications

 

(2)   Medical Physics and Bioengineering  

  • Anthropometrics and ergonomics.    
  • Assessment of human movement, fitness testing    
  • Radiation biology and Medicine    
  • Low doses and Non-Targeted effects of ionizing radiation    

      

(3)   Astronomy

  • Theoretical Astronomy
    The area of focus in theoretical astronomy is with statistical analyses on the large- scale structure of the Universe, as well as quasars analyses on the large- scale structure of the Universe, as well as quasars.
  • Observational Astronomy
    Observational astronomy offers opportunities to study variable stars and other objects such as quasars and BL lac objects.  This is done with the 16” L X 200 Meade Telescope equipped with CCD camera.
  • Astrobiology
    Mud volcanoes and the pitch lake are studied as analog sites for Mars and Titan respectively as conditions for extremophiles.

                                    

(4)   Renewable Energy

      This area of research may be conducted as a joint effort with other departments,faculties and campuses.

  • Solar Energy
    • The design, construction and testing of low and high temperature flat plate collectors for use with solar crop dryers and solar air conditioners, refridgerators and solar powered heat engines.
    • Solar Distillation
    • Solar resource assessment and modelling
    • Solar crop and timber dryers
    • Dye Sensitized Solar Cell
    • Integration with the electrical grid.
  • Wind Energy
    • Wind resource assessment and modelling - onshore and offshore.
    • Optomizing wind farm design and siting by understanding the complex physics governing wind flow
    • Integration with the electrical grid
  • Geothermal Energy
    • ​Geophysical surveys - Resistivity and Seismic
    • Methods of identification of fractured reserviors
  • BioEnergy
    • Production potential assessment.
    • GHG emissions modelling.
  • Fuel Cell
    • Modelling of fuel cells.
    • Development and Optimization of Microbial Fuel Cells for electricity generation, wastewater treatment and water distillation

                       

(5)   Earth Materials Studies 

  • Various aspects of mineralogy and petrology of Trinidad and Tobago, including resources of the continental shelf.

 

(6)   Environmental Physics

  • Environmental monitoring with respect to sound and aerosols in certain work environments.
  • Implications of sea surface temperatures for the Caribbean region in environmental studies.
  • Climate change studies/modelling.
  • Air pollution modeling (with respect to the regional industries).
  • Lava flow problems (in collaboration with the Department of Mathematics and Seismic Research Unit).
  • Numerical weather prediction.
  • Atmospheric boundary layer modeling.

     

(7)   Quantum Optics

  • Quantum physics with applications to solar energy techologies and medical technologies.
  • Parametric down conversion.

                           

(8) Condensed Matter Physics

Light absoption in atomic systems

 

(9) Ceramics and Refractories

Development of ceramics and refractories based on regional materials for a wide range of applications.
Current research includes
  • Chemical and mineralogical characterization of raw materials, compositional studies, synthesis, high temperature and solid-state reactions..
  • Physical and mechanical testing, X-ray and electron microscopy. Analyses, micro-structure/property relationships.

                          

   

NB: Additional information available in the Faculty of Science and Technology Postgraduate Booklet. 

       Additional Queries can be addressed at PGPHYSStudent.Support@sta.uwi.edu

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