PVB307 Physics in Practice
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| Unit code: | PVB307 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | PVB203 and PVB206 and PVB207 |
| Credit points: | 6 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $596 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $2,682 |
| International unit fee | $2,976 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | PVB307 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 6 |
| Pre-requisite: | PVB203 and PVB206 and PVB207 |
| Coordinator: | Darren Pearce | d.pearce@qut.edu.au |
Overview
You will design and carry out a self-directed experimental investigation exploring a core concept in physics. You will document this work in a white paper format, designed to blend academic rigour with real-world communication. You will also explore the practice of physics within its professional and societal context, its ethical and legal implications, and how it interrelates with Indigenous perspectives and sovereignty both in Australia and globally.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Employ a hypothesis-driven approach to designing, executing and analysing an experimental investigation in physics and reflect on its efficacy.
- Examine the ethical, societal and/or cultural impacts of physics in a historical or contemporary context including First Nations People's perspectives.
- Communicate your understanding of physics and its role in society using audience-appropriate approaches.
Content
This unit will include a review of data acquisition and analysis techniques as applied to experimental physics, and will introduce concepts and case studies relevant to the cultural, social and ethical implications of physics.
Learning Approaches
This unit will comprise a variety of approaches designed to allow students to autonomously explore the practice and implications of physics. These include the following:
- Inquiry-based learning: Students are encouraged to ask questions and formulate hypotheses, then design and conduct experiments to test these hypotheses.
- Hands-on experimentation: Students perform experiments themselves and analyse data to draw conclusions.
- Collaborative learning: Students work in groups, sharing ideas and learning from each other.
- Open-ended experimentation: Students have the freedom to design experiments based on their own interests and curiosity.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback in this unit will be provided by academic staff, and by peers. Mechanisms include:
- real-time verbal feedback in the laboratory
- written feedback on proposed topics
- peer-to-peer feedback in facilitated sessions
Assessment
Overview
Assessments in this unit are designed to deepen your understanding and enhance your skills in physics practice and communication.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Lab Notebook
Students will maintain a detailed, professional-style lab notebook throughout the
semester as they undertake a self-led experimental investigation. The notebook
will document experimental planning, methods, observations, and analysis. It will
be assessed on clarity, completeness, and alignment with safe and ethical scientific
practice.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Applied physics report
Students will produce an applied physics report in a white paper format, communicating
the rationale, method, analysis, and broader implications of their experiment.
The report will include a reflective commentary on their learning process,
and must address ethical, societal, and Indigenous perspectives. A brief in-class
demonstration supports formative peer review ahead of submission.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
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
Learning materials needed to support your learning in this unit are available in your Canvas site and through QUT libraries.
Risk Assessment Statement
Risk assessment of individual experiments will be carried out in collaboration with QUT academic and technical staff using the HSE Hub risk assessment system. All present risks will be assigned appropriate mitigation strategies.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.ST01 Bachelor of Science
- Recognise First Nations Peoples of Australia as the nation’s first scientists, whose knowledge and contributions are valued.
Relates to: Lab Notebook - Use higher order thinking skills to design, plan, and conduct investigations and evaluate data to address scientific questions and challenges.
Relates to: ULO1, Applied physics report - Develop and demonstrate key competencies in scientific practices and relevant technologies.
Relates to: ULO1, Applied physics report - 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: ULO2, Lab Notebook - Communicate scientific findings, concepts and evidence-based reasoning to diverse audiences using a variety of methods.
Relates to: ULO3, Lab Notebook, Applied physics report - Work autonomously and collaboratively with others in an inclusive and professional manner and use critical reflection for personal and professional growth.
Relates to: ULO1, Applied physics report
SV02 Bachelor of Science
- Recognise First Nations Peoples of Australia as the nation’s first scientists, whose knowledge and contributions are valued.
Relates to: ULO2, Lab Notebook - Use higher order thinking skills to design, plan, and conduct investigations and evaluate data to address scientific questions and challenges.
Relates to: ULO1, Applied physics report - Develop and demonstrate key competencies in scientific practices and relevant technologies.
Relates to: ULO1, Applied physics report - 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: ULO2, Lab Notebook - Communicate scientific findings, concepts and evidence-based reasoning to diverse audiences using a variety of methods.
Relates to: ULO3, Lab Notebook, Applied physics report - Work autonomously and collaboratively with others in an inclusive and professional manner and use critical reflection for personal and professional growth.
Relates to: ULO1, Applied physics report