wwwdev@monash.edu.au
Wed Oct 28 14:26:02 EST 1998
Auth: C Whip, University Webmaster's Office
Copyright © Monash University 1998 - All Rights Reserved - Caution
It is the aim of the Department of Physics to provide all students with a professionally presented sequence of lectures and related practical work, whether they are intending to complete a pass, honours, or higher, degree with a major in physics, or a small sub-set through service subjects. Specific aims and objectives for all subjects and units are provided to students at the commencement of their studies, and these objectives are regularly reviewed. The teaching objectives that cover all physics offerings are, that on successfully completing the subject students will:
To
complete a subject in physics a candidate shall, to the satisfaction of the
head of department, participate and satisfactorily complete such compulsory
exercises and laboratory work, if any, as shall be prescribed in subject
information sheets. If the candidate has not completed the prescribed
requirement for any subject, the candidate may be deemed ineligible to pass the
subject, or be otherwise penalised, as shall be specified, for unsatisfactory
performance.
Students are advised that if, at the close of normal enrolment periods, the
number of students in any lecture and/or laboratory class at first to
third-year level is found to be fewer than ten, the head of department may
determine that these classes will not run. In this event, students will be
contacted and offered appropriate alternatives. This may occur in 'stand alone'
subjects where the only students attending lecture/laboratory classes are those
enrolled in that subject.
Physics
is a major branch of modern science that provides a basis for an understanding
of the physical world. Many of the important methods and techniques found in
other branches of science and technology owe their existence to the practice of
physics. The discipline of physics ranges from the very practical, such as an
explanation as to why an integrated circuit works, to fundamental philosophical
questions about reality. A program of study in physics provides a sound
scientific background for today's complex and technologically oriented
world.
The Department of Physics provides a range of subjects for those who wish to
specialise in experimental physics, theoretical physics and applied physics,
and also for students whose principal interests are in other branches of
science. The department also provides subjects in materials science at both
second and third-year levels, and in astronomy at both first and second-year
levels.
Most subjects offered by the department comprise lectures, problem classes,
assignments and laboratory work. Except for third and fourth-year theoretical
physics, practical work is an important part of all the undergraduate subjects
in physics and is essential for a full understanding of physics, and attendance
in the laboratories is compulsory.
Undue specialisation is avoided in the first three years (to pass BSc). In
subsequent years (BSc honours, MSc, MAppSc and PhD) opportunities exist for
specialisation within each of the fields of theoretical physics, experimental
physics, astronomy and astrophysics, applied physics, image processing and
materials science. For details of materials science, see separate entry. The
astronomy subjects and discipline details are also found under a separate entry
for astronomy and astrophysics.
Director
of first-year studies: Dr David Mills
Subjects: PHS1011, PHS1022, PHS1031, PHS1042, ASP1010
Two first-year physics sequences are offered, PHS1011 and PHS1022 (Physics) and
PHS1031 and PHS1042 (Physics for biosciences). The 'Physics' sequence PHS1011
and PHS1022 covers the foundations of physics over two semesters, providing a
balance between a theoretical understanding of physics along with practical
applications and experimental physics. This sequence follows a mathematical
approach using calculus and a Year 12 Physics background is assumed. This
sequence is normally taken by students with interests in physics, mathematics,
astrophysics, chemistry, computer science, those interested in the nature of
the universe, and those doing science/engineering double degrees.
PHS1031 (Physics for the living world) and PHS1042 (Physics for bio- and
environmental sciences) are specifically designed for students interested in
biomedical and environmental disciplines. There is an emphasis on applications
of physics principles and instrumentation in the modern biosciences. The
approach is more descriptive than the former sequence. Year 11 Physics
provides the essential background material. Students with no Year 12
Physics, or whose mathematics is not strong, are advised to enrol in the
PHS1031 and PHS1042 sequence.
Both PHS1011 and PHS1022 are normally required to enter the second-year physics
subjects PHS2011 and PHS2022, and the second year applied physics subjects
PHS2311 and PHS2322, however students with exceptionally good results in
PHS1031 and PHS1042 may be enrolled at the discretion of the head of
department. Either first-year sequence provides an adequate foundation to
continue to second-year studies in astronomy, materials science and image
processing. Students entering second-year physics or applied physics should
have done sufficient first-year mathematics to do MTH2010.
A group of physics and physical science subjects is also offered at first-year
level on the Gippsland campus: PHS1616, PHS1627 and PHS1639.
The department also offers first-year astronomy ASP1010 (Earth to cosmos -
introductory astronomy). In 1999 this will only be offered in first semester.
See separate entry under 'Astronomy and astrophysics' for details.
There
are four major subject groupings, or streams, that are taught by the Department
of Physics in the BSc at second-year level. They are PHS2011 and PHS2022
(Physics), PHS2311 and PHS2322 (Applied physics), ASP2031 and ASP2042
(Astronomy) and MSC2011 and MSC2022 (Materials science). These streams are
designed to provide a good grounding in the various aspects of physics for
students wishing to major in other disciplines as well as those intending to
continue to third-year physics and beyond. The eight-point second-year physics
subjects comprise four hours of lectures/problem classes/tutorials per week and
four hours of laboratory work per week. Students intending to proceed to
third-year physics and/or theoretical physics must pass PHS2011 and PHS2022.
Students intending to study third-year applied physics must pass PHS2311 and
PHS2322 or PHS2011 and PHS2022.
Students who wish to study both physics and applied physics subjects in either
semester at second-year level may gain only twelve credit points in each
semester as there are common units in PHS2011 and PHS2311, and in PHS2022 and
PHS2322. To accommodate this, two four-point subjects PHS2031 and PHS2042 have
been introduced. To gain twelve points in first semester, a student would enrol
in PHS2011 and PHS2031, or PHS2311 and PHS2031. Similarly in second semester a
student would enrol in PHS2022 and PHS2042, or PHS2322 and PHS2042.
Second-year
physics coordinator: Dr Greg Jakovidis
Subjects: PHS2011, PHS2022, PHS2031, PHS2042, PHS2051, PHS2062
The subjects PHS2011 and PHS2022 each comprise four units and are designed to
introduce some of the underlying principles of physics, including quantum
physics, solid state physics, electromagnetism, optics, thermodynamics and
atomic and nuclear physics. The need to keep abreast of aspects of
instrumentation and electrical and electronic measurements is covered by the
analogue electronics and AC theory units. Students intending to proceed to
third-year physics/theoretical physics should also take the following
four-point second-year mathematics subjects: MAT2030, MAT2040 and MAT2072.
PHS2031 and PHS2042 each comprise any two units from the above physics or
applied physics subjects. In addition, PHS2051 and PHS2062 are provided for,
and restricted to, second-year BSc/BE students who wish to take majors in
mathematics and/or physics in their BSc and electrical engineering in their BE.
Astronomy
coordinator: Professor John Pilbrow
Subjects: ASP2031, ASP2042
The Department of Physics operates its own observatories at Mount Burnett and
at the Clayton campus. These two subjects cover both theoretical and
observational astronomy. For details on these two subjects see the separate
entries under 'Astronomy and astrophysics'.
Second-year
applied physics coordinator: Dr Andrew Cramond
Subjects: PHS2311, PHS2322
The subjects PHS2311 and PHS2322 provide a background in instrumentation and
monitoring in the physical sciences.
With its instrumentation theme, applied physics is particularly relevant for
students studying in all areas of science or engineering who wish to obtain
expertise in physical measurement and monitoring. Applied physics also
complements the other second-year physics subjects.
Image
processing coordinator: Dr Imants Svalbe
Subjects: PHS2431, PHS2442 (Not available in 1999)
Many physical measurements lend themselves to two-dimensional visualisation,
and subjects in computer imaging and computer vision are increasingly relevant
to industry, medicine and contemporary scientific research. These two subjects
are oriented towards the practice of image processing. They cover the
acquisition of image data, its processing and comparison with the human visual
system.
Four subject sequences are offered by the Department of Physics at third-year level; physics, theoretical physics, applied physics and advanced image processing.
Third-year
physics coordinator: Dr Trevor Hicks
Subjects: PHS3011, PHS3022, PHS3031, PHS3042, PHS3051, PHS3062, PHS3351/PHS3352,
PHS3360/PHS3361/PHS3362
Third-year physics subjects are offered either as twelve or twenty-four point
semester subjects. In both cases the subjects are made up of a specified number
of units (some compulsory). Each unit normally comprises twelve one-hour
lectures. The twelve-point physics subjects, PHS3031, PHS3042, PHS3051 and
PHS3062 comprise four twelve-hour lecture units, one six-hour unit, twelve
tutorials plus five and a half hours of laboratory work on average per week for
the semester. The twenty-four point physics subjects, PHS3011 and PHS3022 have
eight twelve-hour lecture units, one six-hour unit, twenty-four tutorials and
eleven hours of laboratory work on average per week. In all these subjects the
choice of units must be approved by the coordinator.
Two physics project subjects, PHS3351/PHS3352 (four points) and PHS3360/PHS3361/PHS3362 (eight
points), have been introduced to allow students to work individually on a
project of their choice with a staff supervisor.
Third-year
theoretical physics coordinator: Dr Trevor Hicks
Subjects: PHS3131, PHS3142
The twelve-point theoretical physics subjects, PHS3131 and PHS3142 comprise six
twelve-hour theory units and eighteen tutorials.
Third-year
applied physics coordinator: Dr Trevor Hicks
Subjects: PHS3331, PHS3342
Applied physics at third-year level comprises two subjects PHS3331 and PHS3342.
These two subjects, each of four twelve-hour units, one six-hour unit, twelve
tutorials and five and a half hours of laboratory work on average each week,
maintain a theme of instrumentation and monitoring, emphasising frequency
domain signal processing, the extraction of signals from noise, and the
application of instrumentation to measurements in a number of physical
fields.
The requirement for entry to honours-year applied physics is a pass in both
PHS3331 and PHS3342 at an average of a credit level.
Advanced
image processing coordinator: Dr Imants Svalbe
Subjects: PHS3431, PHS3442, PHS3450 (Not available in 1999)
This sequence comprises three subjects that examine the principles of low-level
vision and pattern recognition processes in humans and machines.
The subject PHS3431 examines in detail low-level vision processes in humans and
machines from an architectural and computational viewpoint, with an emphasis on
parallel algorithms. Colour vision perception and physiology of the human
system are used to provide a contrast with machine vision. In the subject
PHS3442, particular emphasis is given to the theoretical links that exist
between apparently distinct image processing techniques. The representation and
preservation of information in images is examined from the perspective of
image-to-image mappings. PHS3431 and PHS3442 are strongly supported by
laboratory work using parallel pipeline image processors.
The subject PHS3450 surveys current developments in image processing theory and
presents recent case studies of image processing applications in industry,
medicine, biology and agriculture. Particular emphasis is given to the
formation and analysis of three-dimensional images. PHS3450 contains a
significant individual project component.
Fourth-year
physics coordinator: Dr Andrew Smith
Subjects: PHS4000, PHS4100, PHS4200
At the honours level, physics offers three subjects, PHS4000 (Experimental
physics), PHS4100 (Theoretical physics) and PHS4200 (Applied physics). Students
wishing to proceed to fourth year should apply towards the end of their third
year. Normally, a credit or a higher grade at third-year level is required. All
students are assigned an individual supervisor. All three subjects consist of
lecture units and a research-oriented project.
Students may commence honours studies at either the beginning of the year or at
mid-year. For both groups of students lectures are conducted in first semester
and the research project undertaken in second semester. By arrangement with
their supervisor, a student may undertake a limited amount of coursework in
second semester, but it is intended that the research work be carried out
without distraction from other activities.
Thus, students commencing at the beginning of the year complete all (or most)
of their coursework in first semester and undertake the bulk of their project
work in second semester. They are normally required to begin their studies
during the first week of February. Those students entering at mid-year carry
out their project in the second semester of that year and complete all (or
most) of their coursework in the first semester of the following year. They are
expected to begin their honours studies by the start of second semester.
The lecture units are only offered in first semester, and each unit comprises
approximately eighteen hours of class contact. Students are required to choose
lecture units in collaboration with their supervisors. Students enrolling in
PHS4000, PHS4100 and PHS4200 must note the compulsory units under the relevant
headings.
Not all fourth-year units listed may be offered in any one year. In special
circumstances some variation in the compulsory units listed may be permitted.
Students may include units at an appropriate level from those available in
other departments of the university. Students who have taken units offered at
both third and fourth-year levels, as part of their third-year study, may not
repeat those units at honours year.
Students completing an honours year in physics will have a standard of core physics knowledge that will equip them to fully participate as professional physicists in a range of physics based careers or to commence a research degree in physics. The range of units offered will enable them to demonstrate knowledge of a range of physical phenomena. Successful completion of the substantial project will include the demonstration of achievement, knowledge and initiative in a particular area of physics.
wwwdev@monash.edu.au
Wed Oct 28 14:26:02 EST 1998