Program Overview

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Overview

The PHYS2921: Physics 2A (Special Studies Program) unit of study provides a comprehensive introduction to the major branches of classical and modern physics. It is designed for students with a strong interest in physics who want a more open-ended approach to their learning. The unit covers topics such as optics, thermodynamics, computational physics laboratory, and experimental physics laboratory.

Unit Details and Rules

• Academic unit: Physics Academic Operations
• Credit points: 6
• Prerequisites: 75 or above in (PHYS1901 or PHYS1001 or PHYS1002 or PHYS1903) and 75 or above in (PHYS1902 or PHYS1003 or PHYS1004 or PHYS1904)
• Corequisites: None
• Prohibitions: PHYS2011 or PHYS2911
• 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: Scott Croom
• Laboratory supervisor(s): Pulin Gong, Scott Croom
• Lecturer(s): Benjamin Eggleton, Martijn de Sterke
• Project supervisor(s): Helen Johnston

Assessment

The assessment for this unit includes:

• Final exam (40%): A 2-hour exam on optics and thermodynamics
• Assignment (2.5%): Optics written assignment submitted online
• Small continuous assessment (8.4%): Performance during the research project
• Tutorial quiz (2.5%): In-lecture quiz on thermodynamics
• Presentation (4.2%): Presentation on SSP project
• Assignment (8.4%): Report based on SSP research project
• Tutorial quiz (20%): Computational physics in-class assessment + final in-class exam
• Tutorial quiz (9%): Experimental physics

Assessment Summary

• Optics Assignment 1: Assignment questions will be available from the Canvas site
• Optics Assignment 2: Same approach as Optics Assignment 1
• Thermodynamics Quiz 1: Mid-module quiz with multiple questions to be completed individually
• Thermodynamics Quiz 2: Same approach as thermodynamics quiz 1
• Experimental Physics + Research Project: Assessment is based on successful completion of one experiment, overall performance in the research project, oral presentation, and written report

Learning Support

• Simple extensions: Application process for a 5-calendar-day extension
• Special consideration: Application for a longer period of time or special arrangements
• Using AI responsibly: Guidance on using generative AI tools to support learning

Weekly Schedule

The weekly schedule includes:

• Optics lectures (2 hours)
• Thermodynamics lectures (2 hours)
• Optics tutorial (1 hour)
• Experimental physics lab (3 hours)
• Computational physics lab (2 hours)
• SSP research project (3 hours)

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this unit, students should be able to:

• Understand the key concepts in two foundation areas of physics - optics and thermodynamics
• Apply these concepts to develop models and solve qualitative and quantitative problems
• Understand the nature of scientific measurement and skills in the measurement of physical quantities
• Find and analyse information and judge its reliability and significance
• Communicate scientific information appropriately
• Engage in team and group work for scientific investigations
• Develop a sense of responsibility, ethical behaviour, and independence as a learner and 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. These include:

• Depth of disciplinary expertise
• Critical thinking and problem-solving
• Oral and written communication
• Information and digital literacy
• Inventiveness
• Cultural competence
• Interdisciplinary effectiveness
• Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity
• Influence

Additional Information

• The optics lecture will cover topics such as geometrical optics, two-source interference, diffraction, coherence of light, and quantum optics
• Thermodynamics lectures will cover topics such as the ideal gas law, internal energy, equipartition, the first law, and the second law
• General laboratory safety rules include no eating or drinking in laboratories, wearing a laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes, and following safety instructions
• The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.