Classes

Mixed Lecture and Tutorial/discussion

The timetable for classes can be found on the University web site at: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/

Laboratories will commence in the first week of semester. Students will be divided equally between the two sessions.

Required and Recommended Texts and/or Materials

Required Text

Electromagnetism: Introduction to Electrodynamics, DJ Griffiths, 3rd edition, Prentice-Hall, 1988

Quantum Mechanics: No textbook, however quantum physics lecture notes will be provided by Dr Cresser.

Recommended Readings

The Feynman Lectures on Physics, Vol II, Addison Wesley

The Feynman Lectures on Physics, Vol III, Addison Wesley

Technology Used and Required

Unit Web Page

This unit will be administered through iLearn at http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/course/view.php?id=3499. Please check this site regularly for lecture and extension material available for downloading and look out for announcements. We will run one or more discussion fora through the iLearn page for both technical physics and administrative issues. Staff will ignore emails and discussion questions about issues which are already explained in this document or which have been covered in the announcements and discussion features of the iLearn page.

Teaching and Learning Strategy

The theoretical aspects of this unit are taught in lectures and tutorials with fortnightly assignments to strengthen the understanding of the material. The theoretical material is heavily mathematical in nature, and often abstract, and true understanding can only be achieved through testing and refining understanding through problem solving.

The experimental aspects of the unit require students to attend laboratories where they will be expected to set up experiments, take data, analyse the data within the context of the physical phenomena that are being studied, maintain a laboratory log-book, and report on their findings in clearly written laboratory reports.

Laboratory (Lab) Sessions

You should have a scientific calculator for use during the laboratory sessions.

We expect to mark and return laboratory reports submitted on time within two weeks at most.  

Lab Attendance 

The laboratory sessions start in the first week of semester.

A condition of entry to the laboratory is thorough knowledge of the safety requirements in the laboratory.  Students should revise these and they should be observed during all your lab sessions.

You must sign in and out using the Attendance Book (your name, date and experiment, legibly).

Students should make a booking for three laboratory afternoons for each experiment they undertake.  A booking gives priority provided the students arrive punctually at the start of the laboratory session.

Lab Safety

The laboratory sessions start in the first week of semester.

A condition of entry to the laboratory is thorough knowledge of the safety requirements in the laboratory. Students should revise these and they should be observed during all your lab. sessions.

You must sign in and out using the Attendance Book (your name, date and experiment, legibly).

Schedule of topics

Electromagnetism

Review of Maxwell’s Equations and vector calculus

The scalar potential and properties of solutions to the Laplace equation

The vector potential

Potential formulation of Maxwell’s equations

Energy and momentum in electromagnetism

Electromagnetic waves in vacuum, dielectrics and lossy media

Dipole radiation

Quantum Physics

Classical vs quantum mechanics

Wave/particle duality: the two slit experiment

The Stern-Gerlach experiment

Quantum states as vectors, superposition of states, measurement and randomness

Operations on states: unitary and Hermitean operators

Measurement and observables

Time evolution in quantum mechanics: the Schrödinger equation.

Changes since the last offering of this unit

• Computer lab sessions may be offered.

Schedule of assessable tasks and related materials

Assignments 

The assignments will be handed out according to the following approximate timetable

We understand that at times due dates for assignments from several different units can collide and we are happy to accommodate changes in due dates, provided the request occurs well in advance of the due date.

Laboratory Work 

You are required to carry out at least four experiments, each taking no more than three weeks to complete, submitting reports on two of them according to the following timetable. These dates are not negotiable except in cases of serious illness or misadventure. A late penalty may otherwise be imposed.

Student Liaison Committee

The Physics Department values quality teaching and engages in periodic student evaluations of its units, external reviews of its programs and course units, and seeks formal feedback from students via focus groups and the Student Liaison Committee. Please consider being a member of this committee, which meets once during the semester (lunch provided), with the purpose of improving teaching via student feedback. The class will be asked to nominate two students as representatives for the PHYS301 unit on the student liaison committee. This nomination process will be conducted during lectures and the lecturer will forward the names to the Head of Department. The SLC meetings are minuted and student representatives receive copies of the minutes from the two preceding SLC meetings prior to the meeting. An update on the responses that have been made by the department to the feedback obtained at the two preceding SLC meetings are reported by the Head of Department at the beginning of each SLC meeting. These responses are also minuted. The feedback is acted upon in a number of ways mostly initiated via Department of Physics and Astronomy meetings, where decisions on actions are taken.

To pass the course unit you must:

• achieve a satisfactory standard overall
• achieve a satisfactory standard in each component of the unit, i.e. in electromagnetism, in quantum physics and in the laboratory work (log-book and report writing).

It is strongly recommended you attend all tutorial sesssions.  This is a chance for you to ask specific questions you may have pondered outside of lecture and to clear up any conceptual or mathematical confusions. 

Grading

An aggregate standard number grade (SNG) corresponding to a pass (P) is required to pass this unit.

High Distinction (HD, 85-100%): provides consistent evidence of deep and critical understanding in relation to the learning outcomes. There is substantial originality and insight in identifying, generating and communicating competing arguments, perspectives or problem solving approaches; critical evaluation of problems, their solutions and their implications; creativity in application.

Distinction (D, 75-84%): provides evidence of integration and evaluation of critical ideas, principles and theories, distinctive insight and ability in applying relevant skills and concepts in relation to learning outcomes. There is demonstration of frequent originality in defining and analysing issues or problems and providing solutions; and the use of means of communication appropriate to the discipline and the audience.

Credit (Cr, 66-74%): provides evidence of learning that goes beyond replication of content knowledge or skills relevant to the learning outcomes. There is demonstration of substantial understanding of fundamental concepts in the field of study and the ability to apply these concepts in a variety of contexts; plus communication of ideas fluently and clearly in terms of the conventions of the discipline.

Pass (P, 50-65%): provides sufficient evidence of the achievement of learning outcomes. There is demonstration of understanding and application of fundamental concepts of the field of study; and communication of information and ideas adequately in terms of the conventions of the discipline. The learning attainment is considered satisfactory or adequate or competent or capable in relation to the specified outcomes.

Fail (F, 0-49%): does not provide evidence of attainment of all learning outcomes. There is missing or partial or superficial or faulty understanding and application of the fundamental concepts in the field of study; and incomplete, confusing or lacking communication of ideas in ways that give little attention to the conventions of the discipline.