Module Description
Module Title: Physical and Extractive Metallurgy
Module Code: AP80762
Level: Year four Applied Physics
Credits: 10 Credits
Prerequisites:
Students are expected to have a foundational knowledge of:
- Mathematics: Calculus, differential equations, and linear algebra.
- Physics: Classical mechanics, thermodynamics, Solid State Physics and electricity.
- Chemistry: Chemical bonding, stoichiometry, and basic electrochemistry.
- Materials Science: Introduction to Materials Science
Overview
This module offers a holistic, forward-looking exploration of metallurgical engineering, seamlessly bridging the classical principles of physical and extractive metallurgy with the transformative power of computational tools and the urgent imperatives of sustainability. Students will develop a rigorous, quantitative understanding of the thermodynamic and kinetic foundations that govern phase stability, phase transformations, mechanical behaviour, and corrosion in metallic systems. The curriculum traces the entire life cycle of metals, from ore formation and mineral processing through pyrometallurgical, hydrometallurgical, and electrometallurgical extraction routes, while critically evaluating energy efficiency, heat recovery, and deep-decarbonization pathways.
A defining feature of this module is the cultivation of the "Digital Metallurgist" mindset. Students will gain hands-on proficiency in industry-standard software (Thermo-Calc, FactSage) for CALPHAD-based thermodynamic calculations and process simulation, alongside developing robust Python programming skills for data analysis, heat/mass balance automation, and machine learning-driven property prediction. The module also engages critically with emerging generative AI, teaching students to responsibly deploy large language models (LLMs) for literature review and hypothesis generation while upholding the highest standards of academic integrity.
Uniquely contextualised within the African continent, the module dedicates focused attention to the Rwandan mining sector, analyzing the value chains of tin, tungsten, tantalum, coltan, and gold, and the broader Central and East African metallurgical landscape. Through case studies, students will evaluate regulatory frameworks, assess alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Rwanda’s Vision 2050, and propose sustainable, context-appropriate solutions to the region's most pressing mining and processing challenges.
By the end of this module, students will emerge not merely as metallurgists, but as computationally fluent, sustainability-conscious engineers equipped to drive innovation, responsible resource stewardship, and industrial transformation in Africa and beyond.
Delivery and Assessment:
The module is delivered through a balanced blend of interactive lectures, hands-on computer laboratories, physical testing sessions, and collaborative case-study workshops. Student achievement is assessed through a diversified strategy comprising a laboratory portfolio, a computational project, a contextual case study report, and a final written examination.
Lecturer: Dr Innocent Nkurikiyimfura
Email: innkinno@gmail.com
Space Physics describes the behaviour of the space in the vicinity of the Earth and within the solar system
with focus on solar-terrestrial relationships. Specifically, it provides a detailed description on how solar
particles and radiation affect the Earth and near-Earth space through the solar wind and magnetosphere
coupling. Space physics as the study of Earth’s home in space, includes:
1. the study of how the Sun works from its interior to its surface and its atmosphere (the corona), including
the causes of eruptions on the Sun marking times of high solar activity,
2. the characterization of the environment between the Sun and the planets out to the interstellar medium,
including the solar wind and energetic cosmic rays from outside the solar system,
3. the study of the interaction of the magnetic barriers (magnetospheres) surrounding Earth and other
planets with the interplanetary environment, particularly during times of high solar activity,
4. the study of Earth’s ionized upper atmosphere (the ionosphere) and its interaction with Earth’s neutral
lower atmosphere.
Space Physics introduces also the concept of space weather and how this is monitored, and its adverse
impacts on technologies and society. Space weather is a fundamental part of the study of space and has an
importance not only in understanding the universe, but also in our practical everyday life such as communi-
cation, satellite safety and applications.
Polymer Physics is taught to third year and fourth year students in material science program.
Aims of the module
The module provides a wide range of topics within the field of polymer physics including an in-depth coverage of polymerization processes, structure and properties of polymers, describes the importance of the processing-properties-performance relationships in polymeric materials and identifies practical materials engineering problems in polymer technologies.
Learning outcomes
Having successfully completed the module, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in:
- Classification of polymer materials
- Bonding and structure of polymers
- Types and mechanism of polymerization
- Different polymer chain models
- Thermodynamics of Dilute Polymer Solutions
- Glass-rubber transition behavior
- Mechanical behavior of polymers
- Properties of different kinds of polymers
- Role of polymers and polymer technologies in a number of issues of current importance
- Polymers and environment.
This course introduces the students to the fundamentals of ceramics and glasses. We aim to cover pertinent aspects of the processing, structure, technology, defect chemistry of different types of oxides are illustrated . Different processing techniques especially the Sintering of ceramic powders are mainly discussed. Hopefully, this course will also serve as a primer for more involved studies in ceramic engineering proper and thus lay the foundation for more detailed knowledge acquisition in Ceramic Materials and Engineering.
The following are the main parts of the course.
- Thermodynamics: first law of thermodynamics for an air parcel, theory of thermodynamic diagrams and processes;
- Atmospheric moisture: humidity mixing ratio, dew point temperature, relative humidity;
- Dynamics: Forces acting on air parcels, pressure gradient force, Coriolis force, drag, forces in balance: hydrostatic, geostrophic and gradient wind;
- Analysis of atmospheric state using a tephigram including dry and saturated adiabats, lifting condensation level, atmospheric stability;
- Radiation laws and simple models;
- Temperature gradient effects: Thermal wind balance and thermal advection;
- Weather system analysis: mass conservation, divergence, vorticity, ageostrophic flow, vertical motion, jets, contribution of vertical motion to development of extratropical weather systems, frontogenesis.
The aim of this module is to introduce students with good physics and mathematics background on relevant remote sensing techniques, applied in Meteorology, for inverse problem solving. It mainly focuses on understanding the atmosphere through remote sensing by microwave and optical (uv/visible)-infrared sensors, familiarization with using satellite remote sensing for monitoring global environment, data assimilation, and popular atmospheric remote sensing software. Having successfully completed this module, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- The atmospheric remote sensing by microwave and optical (uv/visible)-infrared sensors;
- Models and inversion methods for meteorological problem solving under remote sensing principles;
- Data assimilation, mapping and atmospheric remote sensing programs;
- Satellite remote sensing for monitoring global environment;
- Problem development and solving in relation of atmosphere;
- Dissemination and transfer of knowledge related to Principles of Applications of Remote Sensing in Meteorology;
- And enhance their knowledge transfer skills through regular oral presentations.
Resources
- In addition to regular class lecturer presentation, students are argued to search for further materials with google engines;
- Marzano, Frank S., and Guido Visconti, eds. Remote sensing of atmosphere and ocean from space: Models, instruments and techniques. Vol. 13. Springer Science & Business Media, 2006;
- Chuvieco, Emilio. Earth observation of global change: The role of satellite remote sensing in monitoring the global environment. Springer, 2008.
- Huffman RE. Atmospheric ultraviolet remote sensing. Academic Press; 1992 Oct 19.
1. Brief description of aims and content
The module will focus on the description and analysis of the underlying physical processes that define the earth climate. The module will present a short overview of the climate history of our planet as indicated by modern techniques of climate recording, will involve the overall energy budget, which is balanced by solar energy and the physical absorption and reflection processes in our oceans and atmosphere. The physics of these processes and the impact on climate balance and weather patterns will be discussed.
Having successfully completed the module, students should be able to:
1. Explain the origin of the Earth’s Atmosphere and climate, their relationship, structure and composition.
2. Discuss the basic physical concepts for the atmosphere and climate.
3. Understand the consequences of climate change including the natural forcing.
4. Quantify how solar radiation affects the earth's energy budget with reference to the radiative and convective energy transfer.
5. Have a general understanding of General Circulation of the Atmosphere and Hydrological cycle
2. Indicative content
Chapter.1. Introduction to the Climate System: History and Evolution of Earth’s Climate; Atmosphere, Ocean and Land Surface; Atmospheric Temperature; Atmospheric Composition; Hydrostatic Balance and Atmospheric Humidity
Chapter 2. The Global Energy Balance: Warmth and Energy; Energy Balance of Earth; The Surface Energy Budget ; Storage of Heat in the Surface ; Radiative Heating of the Surface; The Atmospheric Boundary Layer The Solar System ; Emission Temperature of a planet; Greenhouse Effect; Global Radiative Flux Energy Balance and Distribution of Insolation.
Chapter 3. The Hydrologic Cycle: Water, Essential to Climate and Life; The Water Balance; Surface Water Storage and Runoff; Precipitation and Dewfall; Evaporation and Transpiration.
Chapter 4. General Circulation of the Atmosphere and Climate: Energy Balance of the Atmosphere; Atmospheric Motions and the Meridional Transport of Energy; The Angular-Momentum Balance and Large-Scale Circulation patterns and climate.
Chapter 5. Natural Climate Change: Natural Forcing of Climate Change; Solar Luminosity Variations; Natural Aerosols and Climate; Volcanic Eruptions and Stratospheric Aerosols.