Students

PHYS3910 – Advanced Physics III

2022 – Full year 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Alexei Gilchrist
alexei.gilchrist@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
(PHYS188 or PHYS1910) and (PHYS201(D) or PHYS2010(D)) and (PHYS202(D) or PHYS2020(D))
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit offers extended insight into unifying core principles of physics. Alternate years will focus on two key concepts that permeate nearly all of physics - probability (even years) and symmetry (odd years). These two key concepts affect much of modern physics including quantum mechanics, astronomy and astrophysics, lasers and photonics, and biophysics. Students are expected to engage in a research-related activity and produce a report in scientific format on their findings.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: identify how symmetry/probability is used in many sub-areas of physics, in sometimes vastly different contexts.
  • ULO2: explain how symmetry/probability unifies many sub-areas of physics and provides a common structure.
  • ULO3: use symmetry/probability concepts to solve problems from particular sub-areas of physics.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
S1 assignments 15% No Throughout S1
Problem-set creation 5% No Throughout S1
Mid-unit exam 30% No S1 Exam period
S2 Assignments 20% No Throughout S2
Research project 30% No End of S2

S1 assignments

Assessment Type 1: Problem set
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Throughout S1
Weighting: 15%

A series of problem-solving assignments undertaken in session 1.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • identify how symmetry/probability is used in many sub-areas of physics, in sometimes vastly different contexts.
  • explain how symmetry/probability unifies many sub-areas of physics and provides a common structure.
  • use symmetry/probability concepts to solve problems from particular sub-areas of physics.

Problem-set creation

Assessment Type 1: Problem set
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5 hours
Due: Throughout S1
Weighting: 5%

Each student supplies five solved problems related to the material taught in session 1, suitable for use as a learning resource for the rest of the class.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • identify how symmetry/probability is used in many sub-areas of physics, in sometimes vastly different contexts.
  • explain how symmetry/probability unifies many sub-areas of physics and provides a common structure.
  • use symmetry/probability concepts to solve problems from particular sub-areas of physics.

Mid-unit exam

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: S1 Exam period
Weighting: 30%

An examination on the content from the first half of the unit (end of session 1).
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • identify how symmetry/probability is used in many sub-areas of physics, in sometimes vastly different contexts.
  • explain how symmetry/probability unifies many sub-areas of physics and provides a common structure.
  • use symmetry/probability concepts to solve problems from particular sub-areas of physics.

S2 Assignments

Assessment Type 1: Problem set
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Throughout S2
Weighting: 20%

A series of problem-solving assignments undertaken in session 2.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • identify how symmetry/probability is used in many sub-areas of physics, in sometimes vastly different contexts.
  • explain how symmetry/probability unifies many sub-areas of physics and provides a common structure.
  • use symmetry/probability concepts to solve problems from particular sub-areas of physics.

Research project

Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: End of S2
Weighting: 30%

A research project on a topic agreed with the lecturer that fits the theme of the unit, completed in session 2.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • identify how symmetry/probability is used in many sub-areas of physics, in sometimes vastly different contexts.
  • explain how symmetry/probability unifies many sub-areas of physics and provides a common structure.
  • use symmetry/probability concepts to solve problems from particular sub-areas of physics.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

In-person lectures and tutorials. Reading material provided online.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

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.

Unit information based on version 2022.02 of the Handbook