PVB103 Foundations of Physics (Advanced)

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

The fundamental concepts of physics seek to describe, predict and explain phenomena at all scales from the observable universe down to subatomic particles. They underpin all the sciences. This is a foundational unit in the Bachelor of Science Advanced (Honours) that builds on fundamental concepts developed in high school physics providing a deeper understanding of the physical processes around us. This unit provides a strong foundation in mechanics and other key physics areas including waves and relativity. The ability to critically apply scientific concepts and solve problems as a physicist, both in theory and in practice in the laboratory, will provide you with the foundation you need for future studies in science.  

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. 1. Quantitatively and qualitatively analyse key concepts of physics.
2. 2. Collect experimental data using scientific equipment and analyse using appropriate methods.
3. 3. Apply physics concepts to solve problems and evaluate results.
4. 4. Communicate scientific arguments by producing written scientific reports incorporating visual representations of scientific concepts and numeric data, including the generation of graphs.

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit is designed to integrate theory with practical application in laboratories and interactive group problem solving tutorials. Weekly lectures and tutorials incorporating real world examples will provide the background theory and concepts required to support practical and online problem solving tasks. Formative online tutorials will help develop your understanding of physical concepts and allow you to apply them in real-world contexts. Practical laboratories are designed to observe physical concepts and to develop essential scientific laboratory techniques.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

In this unit, multiple opportunities for feedback are provided in the lab practicals, tutorials and lecture sessions including:

- Oral and written feedback on conceptual/problem solving tasks in tutorials

- Individual written feedback on lab reports

- Oral (group) feedback on mid semester component of exam.

Assessment

Overview

Assessment in this unit includes scientific lab reports of experiments done in practical classes to develop both experimental and scientific communication skills.  Online quizzes and a mid-semester component of the final exam will assess your conceptual understanding. Assessment of the written mid-semester exam will also provide valuable feedback on how to improve your academic and conceptual skills in physics.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Laboratory Reports

In this task you will 1) Conduct lab experiments, collect and analyse data in a laboratory notebook; 2) Write individual scientific lab reports of experiments conducted, data collected, analysis and results, including a discussion and conclusion.

Assessment: Problem Solving Tasks

Apply your understanding of physics to solve quantitative and qualitative scientific problems in several online quizzes; multiple attempts

Assessment: Examination

Short and long written responses including theoretical knowledge, applied conceptual understanding and problem solving covering the semester’s work.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

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.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

1. Young & Freedman, University Physics with Modern Physics with Mastering Physics, 12th edition, Freeman, Worth
2. Knoll GF (2000), Radiation Detection and Measurement, 3rd ed., John Wiley and sons.
3. First Year Physics Laboratory Resource Manual, Available on Canvas

Recommended text(s)

Kirkup, Experimental Methods, Wiley

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.