Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor, Lecturer, Tutor
Judith Dawes
Contact via judith.dawes@mq.edu.au
E6B 2.708
Lecturer, Tutor
Jason Twamley
Contact via jason.twamley@mq.edu.au
E6B 2.612
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
MATH130 or HSC Mathematics Band 4
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit is an introduction to basic physics for students who did not take HSC physics or who need to improve their understanding and facility in physics before progressing to more advanced physics units (either PHYS140/PHYS143 or PHYS106/PHYS107). The unit provides an introduction to the techniques by which the basic physical phenomena of our world and universe are described and understood. The material covers the concepts of vectors and the description of motion using Newton's Laws, electrical and magnetic forces and phenomena, elementary atomic structure and introductory quantum physics. A mathematical approach to physics is central but the content is covered without the use of calculus in preparation for further 100-level units which do use calculus. An emphasis is placed on developing problem-solving skills by which physical problems are mapped to mathematical representations which can then be solved to understand the system. These skills include the development of abilities in interpreting visual representations of physical data.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Macquarie University uses a standards-based assessment system.This unit has a hurdle requirement, specifying a minimum standard that must be attained in an aspect of the unit. To pass this unit you must obtain a mark of at least:
50% in the unit overall
as well as
at least 40% in at least 8 of the 12 weekly quizzes
Name | Weighting | Due |
---|---|---|
Tutorial quizzes | 30% | Tutorial class |
Mid-session Exam | 20% | Friday 9 September 12-1 pm |
Final Examination | 30% | See Examination Timetable |
Group project | 20% | weeks 11 and 12 |
Due: Tutorial class
Weighting: 30%
During each tutorial, in weeks 2-13, you will work on a set of assigned problems based on that week's lecture topics. The week following, in your registered tutorial class, you will complete a 10 minute quiz closely based on one of these assigned problems. These quizzes will be marked and returned with feedback. Your best 8 quiz scores (out of a possible 12) will contribute a total of 30% to your final mark.
Satisfactory performance in quizzes is a hurdle requirement. You must obtain a mark of at least 40% in at least 8 out of the 12 scheduled quizzes to pass the unit. No additional quizzes will be offered for those who fail to meet this requirement.
Due: Friday 9 September 12-1 pm
Weighting: 20%
A mid-session exam worth 20% of the final grade will be held in the 12-1 pm lecture time slot on Friday 9th September i.e. the end of week 6. This 50-minute exam will cover content from weeks 1-4 inclusive. Further details will be provided in lectures leading up to this date.
Due: See Examination Timetable
Weighting: 30%
You are expected to present yourself for examination at the time and place designated in the University Examination Timetable (http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/exam/). The final examination is worth 30% of the final grade.
The final examination will be two hours long and will include all content from the unit, with an emphasis on the later material. The examination is closed book. A resource sheet of relevant equations and physical constants will be provided.
The use of calculators in examinations for this unit is permitted but, in accordance with the Faculty policy, calculators with a full alphabet on the keyboard are not allowed.
Due: weeks 11 and 12
Weighting: 20%
The purpose of the group project is to stimulate students to learn how to apply the physics within the unit to real world situations that occur in everyday life. Students (in groups of 3 or 4), will work in collaboration with the lecturers to identify a suitable “explorer project” whose physical operation is closely related to one or more of the topics covered in the unit. The group will research this explorer project, either through a basic construction/exploration, or via pre-constructed equipment available within the Department, or via a computer simulation. The group will write a short report explaining how their explorer project demonstrates some of the physical principles taught in the unit. Each student in the group will also write an individual reflection on how they use problem-solving skills for analysing that system. Each group will make a 10-minute presentation to the class based on their analysis during weeks 11 and 12 of the semester. Further details will be available during the semester. Each student's individual reflection will be 10% of their final mark. The group report will be 5% of the final mark for each student, and the group presentation will be 5% of the final mark. In total, the group project is worth 20% of the final mark.
Unit Reference
An additional reference for this unit is "Fundamentals of Physics" by Halliday, Resnick, & Walker, Extended 10th edition. This is the textbook for PHYS140 and PHYS143. Print versions are available from the Co-Op bookshop and digital options are available through http://au.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-EHEP002531.html .
Audio recordings and copies of slides from lectures will be available in iLearn through the Echo360 system. Because we do demonstrations and problem solving in our physics lectures, we recommend that you attend the lectures. The online resources are good for review and revision.
The use of calculators during tutorials, when completing quizzes, in the in-session exam and in the final examination for this unit is usually necessary. In accordance with the Faculty policy, calculators with a full alphabet on the keyboard are not allowed in the quizzes, in-session exam or the final examination.
This unit consists of two different formal types of activity:
1. Lectures, in which new material is presented, discussed and illustrated by examples and demonstrations. Attending lectures is an important part of studying physics since it allows you to gain an insight into the subject matter. The lecturers can explain the concepts from several points of view, can point out and explain the most important aspects of the material and, very importantly, can illustrate the relationships and connections between the different concepts in this unit.
2. Weekly tutorials, in which examples illustrating the material are presented for discussion (with fellow classmates and tutors) and problem-solving methods are practiced. Tutorials form an important learning component of PHYS130. During tutorials in weeks 2-13, we will hold a 10-minute quiz, based on one of the assigned problems issued the previous week.
Lecture and tutorial times - See your timetable.
Study material is hosted on the iLearn webpage for the unit http://ilearn.mq.edu.au
A more detailed week-by-week schedule will be placed on iLearn, however the basic format of the unit is that it is taught in two halves:
• Mechanics, Prof Judith Dawes, Weeks 1-6:
• Electricity, Prof Jason Twamley, Weeks 7-12:
Week 13- revision.
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
New Assessment Policy in effect from Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. For more information visit http://students.mq.edu.au/events/2016/07/19/new_assessment_policy_in_place_from_session_2/
Assessment Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
The numeracy centre is located in C5A225, and offers one-on-one or small class assistance with mathematics and statistics. Students are welcome to attend the drop-in centre or specially organised workshops.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
This graduate capability is supported by:
This is a new unit. We welcome your feedback as to how to improve it!