If you receive special consideration for the final exam, a supplementary exam will be scheduled in the interval between the regular exam period and the start of the next session.  By making a special consideration application for the final exam you are declaring yourself available for a resit during the supplementary examination period and will not be eligible for a second special consideration approval based on pre-existing commitments.  Please ensure you are familiar with the policy prior to submitting an application. You can check the supplementary exam information page on FSE101 in iLearn (bit.ly/FSESupp) for dates, and approved applicants will receive an individual notification one week prior to the exam with the exact date and time of their supplementary examination.

If you are given a second opportunity to sit the final examination as a result of failing to meet the minimum mark required, you will be offered that chance during the same supplementary examination period and will be notified of the exact day and time after the publication of final results for the unit.

General Information

Study material is hosted on the iLearn webpage for the unit as are all announcements http://ilearn.mq.edu.au 

Asking for help

A number of people can assist students while they undertake PHYS140. For any inquiry please use this e-mail address:

phys140@mq.edu.au

instead of using people's personal e-mails. This will ensure that the best answer to your question is obtained.

Unit textbook and textbook resources

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 text book as we will be following it closely and you will find it an invaluable resource while working on 'assigned problems' in PHYS140.

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.

Technology

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, tutorials and laboratory sessions

This unit consists of three 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 that reading the textbook alone cannot provide, and lecture attendance is compulsory. 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 that are studied in PHYS140 – no subject in physics stands on its own. 

2. Weekly problem-solving classes

In problem-solving classes, examples illustrating the material are presented for discussion (with fellow classmates and teachers) and problem-solving methods are practised.  Classes in weeks 2-6 and 8-13 will include a 15 minute quiz, based on the earlier questions in that class and the lecture material from the previous week. Problem-solving classes form an important learning component of PHYS140 and are therefore compulsory.  We require effective participation in problem-solving classes entailing a focused work effort and attendance for the full session. If you do not participate effectively in a given week, for example arriving late or leaving the class early without extenuating circumstances, it will be grounds for receiving a score of zero for that week's quiz.

3. Laboratory sessions

During laboratory sessions you will develop skills in making measurements of physical phenomena and in the interpretation of collected data.  Laboratory classes are compulsory and students who do not attend all laboratory classes will be deemed to have failed to satisfactorily meet the learning outcomes of the unit and will therefore receive a failing grade.

Lecture, laboratory and class times - See more detailed unit guide provided in iLearn or your timetable.

Lectures:

A more detailed week-by-week schedule is listed on iLearn. The unit is taught in two halves:

• Mechanics, Prof. Orsola De Marco, Weeks 1-7: Chapters 1-12, 15 (Extended 10th edition)

• Electricity, Prof Judith Dawes, Weeks 8-13: Chapters 21-27 (Extended 10th edition)

Lecture times are on Tuesday at 12-1 pm and Wednesday at 2-3 pm.

Laboratory sessions:

Each student will attend 10, 3-hour long laboratory sessions, starting in week 1. 

Problem-solving classes:

Each student will attend 12, 2-hour long classes, starting in week 1. Note that there is a mid-semester exam held during the classes in week 7.

Additional textbook resources available on ilearn to support students' self-study for all chapters

Small adjustments to the assessment tasks

Changes to delivery of group problem-solving classes

Improvements to laboratory approach and style

Commitment to Continuous Learning

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:

Learning outcome

• Students will be able to analyse real-world problems,be able to develop physical problems based on this analysis, and interpret how numerical results relate to the physical world.

Problem Solving and Research Capability

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:

Learning outcomes

• Students will be able to explain Physics concepts, within the topics listed in the unit guide, in terms of their underlying physical principles, and describe them in terms of concise mathematical models.
• Students will be able to analyse the description of a physical problem, be able to break the problem into component parts relating to different areas of physics, identify known quantities and apply mathematical models to arrive at a numerical value for an unknown quantity.
• Students will be able to analyse real-world problems,be able to develop physical problems based on this analysis, and interpret how numerical results relate to the physical world.
• Students will be able to record experimental data, display data graphically, analyse data, and present their conclusions in a clear, concise, and systematic manner.
• Students will be able to identify sources of uncertainty in physical measurements, be able to propagate these uncertainties through calculations, and express results in a meaningful way.

Assessment tasks

• Tutorial quizzes
• Mid-session Exam
• Laboratory Work
• Final Examination

Creative and Innovative

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:

Learning outcomes

• Students will be able to analyse the description of a physical problem, be able to break the problem into component parts relating to different areas of physics, identify known quantities and apply mathematical models to arrive at a numerical value for an unknown quantity.
• Students will be able to analyse real-world problems,be able to develop physical problems based on this analysis, and interpret how numerical results relate to the physical world.

Assessment tasks

• Tutorial quizzes
• Laboratory Work
• Final Examination

Effective Communication

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:

Learning outcomes

• Students will be able to explain Physics concepts, within the topics listed in the unit guide, in terms of their underlying physical principles, and describe them in terms of concise mathematical models.
• Students will be able to analyse the description of a physical problem, be able to break the problem into component parts relating to different areas of physics, identify known quantities and apply mathematical models to arrive at a numerical value for an unknown quantity.
• Students will be able to record experimental data, display data graphically, analyse data, and present their conclusions in a clear, concise, and systematic manner.
• Students will be able to identify sources of uncertainty in physical measurements, be able to propagate these uncertainties through calculations, and express results in a meaningful way.

Assessment tasks

• Tutorial quizzes
• Mid-session Exam
• Laboratory Work
• Final Examination

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

• Students will be able to record experimental data, display data graphically, analyse data, and present their conclusions in a clear, concise, and systematic manner.

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

• Students will be able to record experimental data, display data graphically, analyse data, and present their conclusions in a clear, concise, and systematic manner.

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

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:

Learning outcomes

• Students will be able to analyse real-world problems,be able to develop physical problems based on this analysis, and interpret how numerical results relate to the physical world.
• Students will be able to record experimental data, display data graphically, analyse data, and present their conclusions in a clear, concise, and systematic manner.
• Students will be able to identify sources of uncertainty in physical measurements, be able to propagate these uncertainties through calculations, and express results in a meaningful way.

Assessment tasks

• Tutorial quizzes
• Laboratory Work
• Final Examination

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

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:

Learning outcomes

• Students will be able to explain Physics concepts, within the topics listed in the unit guide, in terms of their underlying physical principles, and describe them in terms of concise mathematical models.
• Students will be able to analyse the description of a physical problem, be able to break the problem into component parts relating to different areas of physics, identify known quantities and apply mathematical models to arrive at a numerical value for an unknown quantity.
• Students will be able to analyse real-world problems,be able to develop physical problems based on this analysis, and interpret how numerical results relate to the physical world.
• Students will be able to record experimental data, display data graphically, analyse data, and present their conclusions in a clear, concise, and systematic manner.
• Students will be able to identify sources of uncertainty in physical measurements, be able to propagate these uncertainties through calculations, and express results in a meaningful way.

Assessment tasks

• Tutorial quizzes
• Mid-session Exam
• Laboratory Work
• Final Examination

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

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:

Learning outcomes

• Students will be able to explain Physics concepts, within the topics listed in the unit guide, in terms of their underlying physical principles, and describe them in terms of concise mathematical models.
• Students will be able to analyse the description of a physical problem, be able to break the problem into component parts relating to different areas of physics, identify known quantities and apply mathematical models to arrive at a numerical value for an unknown quantity.
• Students will be able to analyse real-world problems,be able to develop physical problems based on this analysis, and interpret how numerical results relate to the physical world.

Assessment tasks

• Tutorial quizzes
• Mid-session Exam
• Laboratory Work
• Final Examination