PVB104 Optics
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| Unit code: | PVB104 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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Unit Outline: Semester 2 2027, 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 demonstrate and discuss one of your experiments in a viva. 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
You will complete five laboratory experiments during practical sessions, assessed through three proformas (5% each) and two practical reports (10% and 15%). Proformas comprise your stamped proforma with data analysis, plots and answers to the questions in the instructions. Reports follow standard reporting format with the stamped proforma attached as an appendix.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Group Presentation
Working in groups, you will present the details and findings of your assigned Prac 5 laboratory experiment as a scientific presentation, using slides that follow standard scientific reporting format. Every group member presents. The slides are assessed as a group grade; your oral delivery is assessed individually.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in preparing your slides. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
Slides must be submitted the day before the scheduled presentation. The late submission period and assignment extensions do not apply.
Assessment: Written Examination
Short and long written responses including theoretical knowledge, applied conceptual understanding and problem solving covering the semester's work.
The use of GenAI tools is prohibited in this assessment.
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.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.ST20 Bachelor of Science Advanced (Honours)
- Articulate advanced and coherent knowledge and understanding of at least one scientific discipline
Relates to: Practical Portfolio, Group Presentation, Written Examination - Critically evaluate and apply advanced scientific principles to design experiments, and collect, record, analyse and interpret data using appropriate scientific methodologies, and critical thinking, judgment and deduction to solve complex problems
Relates to: Practical Portfolio, Group Presentation, Written Examination - Evaluate and synthesise complex scientific information, research outcomes and arguments and communicate these to scientists and non-scientists using appropriate communication styles in a variety of formats.
Relates to: Practical Portfolio, Group Presentation