| Semester 1, 2020 External | |
| Short Description: | Modern Physics |
| Units : | 1 |
| Faculty or Section : | Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences |
| School or Department : | School of Sciences |
| Student contribution band : | Band 2 |
| ASCED code : | 010301 - Physics |
| Grading basis : | Graded |
Staffing
Examiner:
Other requisites
It is recommended that students first complete 2nd level physics courses prior to study.
Rationale
Physics is about the fundamental laws governing our universe of matter, energy, space and time. "Classical physics" is typically considered to cover mechanics, acoustics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism and (classical) optics, whereas "modern physics" encompasses relativity and the quantum mechanics of matter and light. Modern physics is the science behind most of today's pure and applied research frontiers of physics; pure research is providing the most profound insight into the nature of matter and the universe as a whole, while applied research has given us electronic computers, mobile phones, and advanced medical technology, as well as the promise of cost-effective solar panels and massively parallel quantum computers. A course on modern physics can enable those pursuing a career as a scientist, science educator and other professionals to understand current major questions in physics research. Such a course can also inform students of how modern physics helps us deliver, manage and improve advanced technology for tackling the grand environmental, health and security challenges facing our world.
Synopsis
Modern physics covers the extraordinary developments in physics that have taken place over the last century or so (and which promise to continue, thanks to the search for a unified theory of everything and the discovery of an expanding universe). This course covers special and general relativity, the quantum description of light and matter, and quantum and statistical mechanics. Also covered are topics on atoms, molecules, solids, and nuclear and particle physics, and a concluding online section on modern cosmology. The theory in this course is supported by practice with relevant problem solving, and experiments. This course contains a highly recommended residential school (non-attendance will mean the student misses both an element for assessment preparation and an element of assessment).
Objectives
On completion of this course students should be able to:
- Apply problem-solving strategies to accurately analyse and calculate solutions;
- Analyse, compare and interpret results obtained from undertaking experiments;
- Apply the associated errors and uncertainties to laboratory and theoretical processes and calculations;
- Articulate relevant theories that underpin a range of different experiments;
- Communicate scientific results via abbreviated and full written reports;
- Critically review and interpret physics concepts in quantum theory.
Topics
| Description | Weighting(%) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Special relativity | 20.00 |
| 2. | Quantum theory, atomic, nuclear, solid state physics and particle physics | 20.00 |
| 3. | Applications of quantum theory, atomic, nuclear and particle physics | 20.00 |
| 4. | Experimental modern physics | 40.00 |
Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed
ALL textbooks and materials available to be purchased can be sourced from (unless otherwise stated). (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/textbooks/?year=2020&sem=01&subject1=PHY3303)
Please for alternative purchase options from USQ Bookshop. (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/info/contact/)
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Reference materials
( /product/0,3110,080532187X,00.html.)
Student workload expectations
| Activity | Hours |
|---|---|
| Assignments | 24.00 |
| Examinations | 2.00 |
| Online Lectures | 24.00 |
| Online Tutorials | 13.00 |
| Private 精东传媒app | 83.00 |
| Residential Schools | 24.00 |
Assessment details
| Description | Marks out of | Wtg (%) | Due Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report 1 | 20 | 20 | 24 Apr 2020 | (see note 1) |
| Report 2 | 20 | 20 | 15 May 2020 | |
| Assignment | 10 | 10 | 22 May 2020 | |
| Take Home Exam | 50 | 50 | End S1 | (see note 2) |
Notes
- To complete Report 1 and 2, students should attend the 3 day highly recommended residential school in the mid semester break. The dates and location of the highly recommended residential school are available from the Residential School Timetable (http://www.usq.edu.au/handbook/current/resschoolsched.html).
- This will be an open examination. Students will be provided further instruction regarding the exam by their course examiner via 精东传媒appDesk. The examination date will be available via UConnect when the official examination timetable has been released.
Important assessment information
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Attendance requirements:
Students are highly recommended to attend the residential school as the residential school is linked to an assessment item or element of assessment preparation. It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures and tutorials) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration. -
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S1 2020 are: To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks for that item.
Requirements after S1 2020:
To complete each assignment satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for them. -
Penalties for late submission of required work:
Students should refer to the Assessment Procedure (point 4.2.4) -
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S1 2020 are: To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
Requirements after S1 2020:
To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must obtain at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course (i.e. the Primary Hurdle), and have satisfied the Secondary Hurdle (Supervised), i.e. the end of semester examination by achieving at least 40% of the weighted marks available for that assessment item.
Supplementary assessment may be offered where a student has undertaken all of the required summative assessment items and has passed the Primary Hurdle but failed to satisfy the Secondary Hurdle (Supervised), or has satisfied the Secondary Hurdle (Supervised) but failed to achieve a passing Final Grade by 5% or less of the total weighted Marks.
To be awarded a passing grade for a supplementary assessment item (if applicable), a student must achieve at least 50% of the available marks for the supplementary assessment item as per the Assessment Procedure (point 4.4.2). -
Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course. -
Examination information:
Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S1 2020 are: An Open Examination is one in which candidates may have access to any printed or written material and a calculator during the examination
Requirements after S1 2020:
Candidates are allowed access only to specific materials during a Restricted Examination. The only materials that candidates may use in the restricted examination for this course are: writing materials (non-electronic and free from material which could give the student an unfair advantage in the examination); calculators which cannot hold textual information (students must indicate on their examination paper the make and model of any calculator(s) they use during the examination).
Students whose first language is not English, may, take an appropriate unmarked nonelectronic
translation dictionary (but not technical dictionary) into the examination.
Dictionaries with any handwritten notes will not be permitted. Translation dictionaries will
be subject to perusal and may be removed from the candidate's possession until appropriate
disciplinary action is completed if found to contain material that could give the candidate an
unfair advantage. -
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S1 2020 are: The details regarding deferred/supplementary examinations will be communicated at a later date
Requirements after S1 2020:
Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period. -
精东传媒app Student Policies:
Students should read the USQ policies: Definitions, Assessment and Student Academic Misconduct to avoid actions which might contravene 精东传媒app policies and practices. These policies can be found at .
Assessment notes
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Harvard (AGPS) is the referencing system required in this course. Students should use Harvard (AGPS) style in their assignments to format details of the information sources they have cited in their work. The Harvard (AGPS) style to be used is defined by the USQ Library's referencing guide.
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As part of the highly recommended residential school, students may be expected to complete a combination of laboratories, practical classes and assessment as advised by the course examiner.