PVB305 Electromagnetism and Optics
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | PVB305 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | PVB205 OR ((PVB202 or MXB106) AND Admission to ST20)) OR ((PVB202 OR MXB106) AND (PVB200 OR MXB105)) |
| Equivalent(s): | PVB204 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,192 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $5,364 |
| International unit fee | $5,952 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | PVB305 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | PVB205 OR ((PVB202 or MXB106) AND Admission to ST20)) OR ((PVB202 OR MXB106) AND (PVB200 OR MXB105)) |
| Equivalent: | PVB204 |
| Coordinator: | Dongchen Qi | dongchen.qi@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Electromagnetism is one of the fundamental forces of nature that underpins almost all aspects of modern technology. In this unit, you will develop theoretical knowledge and understanding of electromagnetism from electric charge to more advanced topics such as electrostatics, magnetostatics, and Maxwell's equations. From this formalism you will derive properties of electromagnetic waves and how they interact with matter. This will lead to physical optics and applications such as the laser and waveguides. This unit will extend your mathematical knowledge and techniques from earlier units to explore and analyse these advanced physics concepts. By completing this unit, you will gain both advanced theoretical knowledge and real-world skills relevant to careers in technology-driven industries.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Explain the theoretical knowledge and concepts that underpin electromagnetism and physical optics.
- Apply mathematical knowledge and skills to characterize electromagnetic fields.
- Evaluate the safety implications of the use of electromagnetic fields
- Conduct a group practical experiment related to electromagnetism or optics and explain the results in terms of the electromagnetic theory.
Content
The electromagnetism component will cover a range of topics from introductory electrostatics and magnetostatics such as Coulomb's Law, potentials, magnetic forces, Biot-Savart Law, through to more advanced topics such as electromagnetic induction and Maxwell’s equations, leading to the analysis of electromagnetic wave propagation and its interaction with matter including absorption and reflection. This will lead to the optics component where you will explore spontaneous and stimulated emission of light allowing you to explore aspects of physical (wave) optics including, Gaussian beam propagation, anisotropic media and nonlinear optical effects, providing a comprehensive pathway from classical electrodynamics theory to contemporary optical applications.
Learning Approaches
Scientific concepts and applications are introduced in lectures through theoretical and applied examples. This is a third year unit, you are expected to be an independent, self-dircted learner and to take responsibility for your own learning. As such, this unit makes use of problem-based learning approaches. Supporting this problem-based learning approach, a variety of different types of classes including formal lectures, which include theoretical demonstrations and applied examples, practical experiments in labs and discussions and problem solving with peers and teachers in tutorial sessions are offered. Group work will assist in peer support with learning and conceptual understanding and application of difficult concepts.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Formative feedback will be provided for the in-semester assessment items through written comments on problem solving tasks, self review of the marked assessment piece and informal interview as required.
Summative feedback will be provided throughout the semester with progressive posting of results via Canvas.
Assessment
Overview
The assessment items in this unit include laboratory reports, problem solving tasks and a final exam. These are designed for you to test and develop your scientific knowledge and related mathematical skills across varying levels of skill development and difficulty.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Problem Solving Task
You will be assigned two sets of electromagnetism and optics related problems to solve in class or at home.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Laboratory Portfolio
You will perform group experiments in relation to electromagnetism and optics. You will present to the audience one of the experiments. This is an authentic assessment as it is similar to what it is asked to professionals in this area.
This assignment is not eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Final Exam
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
A variety of resources to support your learning in this unit will be available in your Canvas unit site. This unit makes use of two textbooks, the detail of which are detailed below:
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Edminister, J. (1993). Schaum's outline of theory and problems of electromagnetics.
Griffiths, D. J. (2021). Introduction to electrodynamics.
Risk Assessment Statement
Attention will be drawn to relevant workplace health and safety issues in lectures and practicals. Laboratory safety rules will be published on Canvas. There are no other out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Standards/Competencies
This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineer
1: Knowledge and Skill Base
Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Final Exam
Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Final Exam
Relates to: Laboratory Portfolio
2: Engineering Application Ability
Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Laboratory Portfolio, Final Exam
Relates to: Problem Solving Task
3: Professional and Personal Attributes
Relates to: Laboratory Portfolio
Relates to: Laboratory Portfolio
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.ST01 Bachelor of Science
- Develop a broad, multidisciplinary understanding of science and a specialised, in-depth knowledge of at least one discipline.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Problem Solving Task, Laboratory Portfolio, Final Exam - Use higher order thinking skills to design, plan, and conduct investigations and evaluate data to address scientific questions and challenges.
Relates to: ULO3, ULO4, Laboratory Portfolio - Develop and demonstrate key competencies in scientific practices and relevant technologies.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Problem Solving Task, Laboratory Portfolio, Final Exam - Practice science in a safe, culturally appropriate, ethical, sustainable, and socially conscious way with a knowledge of relevant concepts, regulatory frameworks and protocols.
Relates to: ULO3, Laboratory Portfolio - Work autonomously and collaboratively with others in an inclusive and professional manner and use critical reflection for personal and professional growth.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Laboratory Portfolio
SV02 Bachelor of Science
- Develop a broad, multidisciplinary understanding of science and a specialised, in-depth knowledge of at least one discipline.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4 - Use higher order thinking skills to design, plan, and conduct investigations and evaluate data to address scientific questions and challenges.
Relates to: ULO3, ULO4 - Develop and demonstrate key competencies in scientific practices and relevant technologies.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO4 - Practice science in a safe, culturally appropriate, ethical, sustainable, and socially conscious way with a knowledge of relevant concepts, regulatory frameworks and protocols.
Relates to: ULO3 - Work autonomously and collaboratively with others in an inclusive and professional manner and use critical reflection for personal and professional growth.
Relates to: ULO4