PVB104 Optics
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| Unit code: | PVB104 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| CSP student contribution | $1,164 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,968 |
| International unit fee | $5,664 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | PVB104 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | PCB240 |
| Coordinator: | Soniya Yambem | soniya.yambem@qut.edu.au |
Overview
An understanding of optics and its underlying concepts and applications are an essential part of a Physics degree. This unit is designed to introduce a range of general topics in optics that cover many aspects of light and physical phenomena associated with it. Introduced early in the Physics major of the Bachelor of Science Advanced (Honours), this unit complements physics topics introduced in PVB103 Foundations of Physics (Advanced) to provide a foundation for further units in the physics major.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Quantitatively and qualitatively analyse key concepts related to light and optics.
- Record optical measurements, collect experimental data and analyse them using appropriate methods.
- Apply concepts in light and optics to solve problems and evaluate results.
- Communicate scientific arguments orally or by producing written scientific reports incorporating visual representations of scientific concepts and numeric data, including the generation of graphs.
Content
This unit will cover a range of topics that describe the nature of light, measurements of light, concepts in optics such as geometric and physical optics and their applications. This unit will also enable the development of problem solving skills using concepts in light and optics.
Learning Approaches
In this unit, you will learn through a combination of lectorials (lecture + tutorial) coupled with laboratory work involving the measurement of light in practical situations. Lectures and tutorials will provide foundation concepts, which will be consolidated and extended by application in laboratory-based experiments and analysis of results.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Students will receive on-going formative feedback from lecture discussions, practical classes and related activities. They will receive summative feedback on activities related to practical classes and examination.
Assessment
Overview
In this unit, you will be assessed on your ability to record, analyse and communicate scientific results through a series of reports based on experiments undertaken in practicals. You will have the opportunity to research and review an optics-based topic of interest to you. Your understanding of core knowledge and concepts will be assessed by an end of semester written exam.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Practical Portfolio
(Formative and summative) - Assessments based on ongoing practical classes. It is a combination of proforma and reports.
Assessment: Demonstration & Viva voce
(Summative) -Students will be asked to demonstrate how to set up, collect data and analyse data for a practical experiment (chosen from the series of experiments they have done), followed by questions from assessor on the experiment and related topics that are covered in class.
Assessment: Written Examinations
Short and long written responses including theoretical knowledge, applied conceptual understanding and problem solving covering the semester’s work. Exam at the end of semester (45%).
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
Tunnacliffe AH & Hirst JG, Optics, London: Eastern Press Ltd
Young & Freedman, University Physics with Modern Physics with Mastering Physics, 12th edition, Freeman, Worth
Risk Assessment Statement
Laboratory safety rules will be published on the first year physics laboratory website. There are no other out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit. You will be made aware of evacuation procedures and assembly areas in the first few lectures. In the event of a fire alarm sounding, or on a lecturer's instruction, you should leave the room and assemble in the designated area which will be indicated to you. You should be conscious of your health and safety at all times whilst on campus or in the field.