Program Overview

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Overview

The PHYS2923: Astrophysics and Relativity (SSP) unit of study delves into Cosmology/Astrophysics, Special Relativity, and Laboratory Experimental Physics. In Special Relativity, students learn about Einstein's theory of special relativity, relative motion, twin paradox, Doppler shift, Lorentz transformations, spacetime and causality, relativistic momentum, relativistic kinetic energy, and mass as a measure of energy. In Cosmology/Astrophysics, students learn about cosmological models, the cosmological principle, the Friedmann equations, the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker metric, cosmological redshift, the cosmic microwave background radiation, big-bang nucleosynthesis, the thermal history of the Universe, inflation, dark matter and dark energy.

Unit Details and Rules

• Academic unit: Physics Academic Operations
• Credit points: 6
• Prerequisites: 75 or above in (PHYS1003 or PHYS1004 or PHYS1902 or PHYS1904) and 75 or above in (PHYS1001 or PHYS1002 or PHYS1901 or PHYS1903 or PHYS2011 or PHYS2911 or PHYS2921)
• Corequisites: None
• Prohibitions: PHYS2013 or PHYS2913
• Assumed knowledge: (MATH1X21 or MATH1931 or MATH1X01 or MATH1906) and (MATH1X02) and (MATH1X23 or MATH1933 or MATH1X03 or MATH1907) and (MATH1X05)
• Available to study abroad and exchange students: Yes

Teaching Staff

• Coordinator: Tim Bedding
• Laboratory supervisor(s): Scott Croom
• Lecturer(s): Tim Bedding, Scott Croom
• Project supervisor(s): Helen Johnston

Assessment

• Type: Final exam (Record+), Small continuous assessment, Assignment, Presentation, Assignment, Assignment, Assignment
• Description:
  • Final examination: Written exam
  • SSP performance: Performance during the research project
  • Special relativity: assignment 1: Online Mastering Physics
  • Special relativity: assignment 2: Online Mastering Physics
  • Special relativity: assignment 3: Written assignment
  • Cosmology assignment 1: Cosmology written assignment 1
  • SSP presentation: Presentation for research project
  • Cosmology assignment 2: Cosmology written assignment 2
  • SSP report: Report on research project
  • Cosmology post-lecture quizzes: Cosmology online quizzes
• Weight:
  • Final exam: 40%
  • Small continuous assessment: 16%
  • Assignment: 4%
  • Assignment: 3%
  • Assignment: 3%
  • Assignment: 3%
  • Presentation: 8%
  • Assignment: 3%
  • Assignment: 16%
  • Assignment: 4%
• Due:
  • Final exam: Formal exam period
  • Small continuous assessment: Ongoing
  • Assignment: Week 04
  • Assignment: Week 07
  • Assignment: Week 07
  • Assignment: Week 10
  • Presentation: Week 13
  • Assignment: Week 13
  • Assignment: Week 13
  • Assignment: Weekly
• Length:
  • Final exam: 2 hours
  • Small continuous assessment: See Canvas
  • Assignment: See Canvas
  • Assignment: See Canvas
  • Assignment: See Canvas
  • Assignment: See Canvas
  • Presentation: See Canvas
  • Assignment: See Canvas
  • Assignment: see Canvas
  • Assignment: See Canvas

Assessment Summary

• Special relativity: written assignment: This will be a hard copy assignment submitted via Canvas
• Special relativity: MasteringPhysics: This will be completed in MasteringPhysics via Canvas
• Cosmology post-lecture quizzes: Short questions will be available on Canvas after lectures
• Experimental physics: The components of assessment for experimental physics labs are based on completing a minimum number of experiments during the semester, the standard to which those experiments are performed and written up, and on a written report and oral presentation on one experiment

Assessment Criteria

• The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1)
• As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard
• Result name:
  • High distinction: 85 - 100
  • Distinction: 75 - 84
  • Credit: 65 - 74
  • Pass: 50 - 64
  • Fail: 0 - 49

Late Submission

• In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date
• Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date
• After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded

Academic Integrity

• The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students
• The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously
• Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools: You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator

Learning Support

• Simple extensions: If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension
• Special consideration: If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements

Weekly Schedule

• WK:
  • Ongoing: research project: Project (25 hr)
  • Week 01: Special relativity: Lecture (2 hr)
  • Week 02: Special relativity: Lecture (2 hr)
  • Week 03: Special relativity: Lecture (2 hr)
  • Week 04: Special relativity: Lecture (2 hr)
  • Week 05: Special relativity: Lecture (2 hr)
  • Week 06: Special Relativity: Lecture (2 hr)
  • Week 07: Cosmology: Lecture (2 hr)
  • Week 08: Cosmology: Lecture (2 hr)
  • Week 09: Cosmology: Lecture (2 hr)
  • Week 10: Cosmology: Lecture (2 hr)
  • Week 11: Cosmology: Lecture (2 hr)
  • Week 12: Cosmology: Lecture (2 hr)
  • Week 13: Cosmology: Lecture (2 hr)
• Learning outcomes:
  • LO1: understand the key concepts in special relativity and cosmology
  • LO2: apply these concepts to develop models, and to solve qualitative and quantitative problems in scientific and engineering contexts, using appropriate mathematical and computing techniques as necessary
  • LO3: carry out a research project under supervision
  • LO4: find and analyse information and judge its reliability and significance
  • LO5: communicate scientific information appropriately, both orally and through written work
  • LO6: demonstrate a sense of responsibility, ethical behaviour and independence as a learner and as a scientist

Learning Outcomes

• At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
  • LO1: understand the key concepts in special relativity and cosmology
  • LO2: apply these concepts to develop models, and to solve qualitative and quantitative problems in scientific and engineering contexts, using appropriate mathematical and computing techniques as necessary
  • LO3: carry out a research project under supervision
  • LO4: find and analyse information and judge its reliability and significance
  • LO5: communicate scientific information appropriately, both orally and through written work
  • LO6: demonstrate a sense of responsibility, ethical behaviour and independence as a learner and as a scientist

Graduate Qualities

• The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course
• GQ1: Depth of disciplinary expertise
• GQ2: Critical thinking and problem solving
• GQ3: Oral and written communication
• GQ4: Information and digital literacy
• GQ5: Inventiveness
• GQ6: Cultural competence
• GQ7: Interdisciplinary effectiveness
• GQ8: Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity
• GQ9: Influence

Additional Information

• SPECIAL RELATIVITY: Concepts of classical relativity, special relativity, Einstein’s two postulates, relative motion, twin paradox, Doppler shift, Lorentz transformations, spacetime and causality, relativistic momentum, relativistic kinetic energy, mass as a measure of energy
• COSMOLOGY: Historical and philosophical basis for cosmological models, the cosmological principle, the Friedmann equations, the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker metric, cosmological redshift, the cosmic microwave background radiation, big-bang nucleosynthesis, the thermal history of the Universe, inflation, dark matter and dark energy
• RESEARCH PROJECT: If an SSP project was undertaken in place of the laboratory module, the assessment percentage of marks are the same as those for the laboratory module
• Work, health and safety: We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice
• General Laboratory Safety Rules:
  • No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances
  • A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory
  • Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories
  • In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door
  • First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory
  • As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation
• Disclaimer: The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers
• This unit of study outline was last modified on 20 Jul 2021
• To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary
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