Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Lecturer and Laboratory Convener
Helen Pask
E6B 2.607
By appointment
100-level Laboratory Officer
Danny Cochran
E7B 122
By appointment
Junior Convener
Matthew van Breugel
E6B 2.401
By appointment
For all inquiries
PHYS143 Convener Team
Unit convener, and Lecturer
Andrei Zvyagin
E6B 2.707
By appointment
Andrei Zvyagin
David Spence
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(HSC Mathematics Band 4-6 or Extension 1 Band E2-E4 or Extension 2) or MATH130 or MATH123(HD)
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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, together with PHYS140, provides an overview of physics. This unit includes a broad range of topics suitable for engineering students or those majoring in any of the sciences. This unit begins with topics in classical physics: the physics of oscillations and wave motion, including sound waves, diffraction and the wave behaviour of light, leading to an introduction to geometrical and physical optics and the operation of some optical instruments. The unit then moves on to look at some of the theories of modern physics that influence the way that we view the natural world, and the fundamental laws that govern it. An introduction is given to molecular kinetic theory and the important universal laws of thermodynamics, the latter valid for everything from the boiling of a kettle to exploding black holes. Einstein's theory of special relativity and its counter-intuitive views on space and time, the uncertain world of quantum physics, and what the latter tells us about the structure of atoms and nuclei, conclude the unit. Regular guided laboratory work enables students to investigate the phenomena discussed in the lectures, using modern techniques in a well-equipped laboratory.
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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:
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Quizzes | 20% | Yes | weeks 2 - 13 |
Laboratory sessions | 20% | Yes | Throughout the session |
Mid-term exam | 15% | No | 15th of September 2017 |
Final exam | 45% | Yes | Exam period |
Due: weeks 2 - 13
Weighting: 20%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
There will be a test of 10 minutes duration in each tutorial from week 2 to week 13. The tests will comprise one or two questions based on those questions covered in the exercises and tutorial of the previous week. The results of your best 8 tests from the total of 12 will contribute 20% of 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.
We require effective participation in tutorials, entailing a focused work effort and attendance for the full session. If you do not participate effectively in a given week, for example leaving the tutorial early without extenuating circumstances, it will be grounds for receiving a score of zero for that week's quiz, and that quiz will then not count towards passing the hurdle requirement.
Due: Throughout the session
Weighting: 20%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Laboratory sessions commence in week 1. The first week's lab contains important rules and explanations, including concerning safety in the lab. This session must be completed in order to access the lab in following weeks.
Satisfactory completion of laboratories is a hurdle requirement. You must attend all ten laboratory sessions. You must obtain a mark of at least 40% for each of the laboratory sessions in order to pass the unit.
Catch-up lessons will be offered at the following times:
Preparation is required for each of the lab sessions 2-10. You will find the Prelab activities in the Laboratory Resources section of iLearn. Your prelab work will account for some of the marks for each laboratory session.
Due: 15th of September 2017
Weighting: 15%
A mid-session exam will be held in the 4 p.m. lecture time slot on Friday the 15th of September i.e. the end of week 7. This 50-minute exam will cover content from weeks 1-5 inclusive. Further details will be provided in lectures leading up to this date.
You are expected to make yourself available for the mid-session exam. If you miss it, you will need to go through the formal disruption to studies process to take a catch-up.
Due: Exam period
Weighting: 45%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
You are expected to present yourself for the final examination at the time and place designated in the University examination timetable (http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/exam/). The timetable will be available in draft form approximately eight weeks before the commencement of examinations and in final form approximately four weeks before the commencement of examinations.
The final examination is a hurdle requirement. You must obtain a mark of at least 40% to be eligible to pass the unit. If your mark in the final examination is between 30% and 39% inclusive then you will be a given a second and final chance to attain the required level of performance.
If you apply for Disruption to Study for your final examination, you must make yourself available for the week of December 11 – 15, 2017. If you are not available at that time, there is no guarantee an additional examination time will be offered. Second-chance hurdle examinations will also be offered in this week. Specific examination dates and times will be determined at a later date.
Study material is hosted on the iLearn webpage for the unit as are all announcements http://ilearn.mq.edu.au
A number of people can assist students while they undertake PHYS143. For any inquiry please use this e-mail address:
PHYS143@mq.edu.au
instead of using people's personal e-mails. This will insure that the best answer to your question is obtained.
The textbook for this unit is "Fundamentals of Physics" by Halliday, Resnick, & Walker, Extended 10th edition. It is essential that you obtain a copy (digital or physical) of this textbook, as we will be following it closely and you will find it an invaluable resource while working on 'assigned problems' in PHYS143.
Print versions of the textbook are available from the CoOp bookshop (hard- and soft-cover) and digital options are available through http://au.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-EHEP002531.html .
Students are also encouraged to sign up to the Wiley Plus website to make use of the extended learning resources available there - including interactive problem solving resources. Instructions will be provided in lectures.
Audio recordings and copies of slides from lectures will be available in iLearn through the Echo360 system. By virtue of the activities that occur in a physics lecture (demonstrations, problem solving) making use of these resources is not equivalent to attending. These resources are good for review and revision.
The use of calculators in the laboratory classes, when completing quizzes, in the in-session exam and in the final examination for this unit is usually necessary. In accordance with the Science Faculty's policy, calculators with a full alphabet on the keyboard are not allowed in the quizzes, in-session exam or the final examination.
Personal electronic devices such as smart phones, tablets, or laptops will be used for self assessment quizzes and other learning enhancement classroom activities.
Lectures:
A more detailed week-by-week schedule will be placed on iLearn. The unit is taught in two halves:
Waves, Sound Waves, Light as a Wave, Light – Images, Light – Interference, Light – Diffraction, A/Prof. Andrei Zvyagin, Weeks 1-6: Chapters 16, 17, 33–36 (Extended 10th edition)
Heat & Thermodynamics, Modern Physics, Prof Helen Pask, Weeks 7-12: Chapters 18-19, 37-38, 42-43 (Extended 10th edition)
Lecture times are on Thursday at 2-3 pm, Thursday at 12-13 pm and Friday at 4-5 pm.
Laboratory sessions:
Each student will attend 10, 3-hour long laboratory sessions, starting in week 1.
Tutorials:
Each student will attend 13, 1-hour long tutorials, starting in week 1.
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
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.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 (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html
Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration
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.
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.
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