6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL
Undergraduate - Unit
Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.
Faculty
Organisational Unit
School of Physics and Astronomy
Coordinator(s)
Dr Scott Findlay (unit coordinator)
Dr Russell Anderson (laboratory coordinator)
Dr Timothy Petersen (computation workshop coordinator)
Unit guides
Synopsis
Electromagnetism and optics fundamentally underpin such modern communication technologies as radio, cellular phones, GPS, Wi-Fi, laser and optical fibres.
- Electromagnetism: classical electromagnetic theory; Maxwell's equations; Gauss's law; Faraday's law; Ampere-Maxwell law; electric and magnetic fields in vacuum; electric and magnetic fields in matter; electrodynamics.
- Optics: geometric ray tracing; optical cavities; electromagnetic waves; Gaussian beam propagation; multiple-beam interference; polarisation; birefringence.
Outcomes
On completion of this unit students will be able to:
- Explain and apply the key concepts of electricity, magnetism and optics to a variety of phenomena.
- Demonstrate awareness of scientific computing methods and visualisation techniques for modelling physical systems, and use computers as a tool to solve problems in optics and electromagnetism.
- Use modern instruments and methods to acquire, manipulate and interpret physical data, and draw evidence based conclusions.
- Write scientific reports at a level suitable for publication.
Assessment
Examination (3 hours): 40% + Assignments: 30% + Practical work: 30% + Hurdle requirement: Students must achieve a pass mark in the practical component to achieve an overall pass grade.
Workload requirements
- Two 1-hour lectures per week
- One 2-hour laboratory class per week
- One 2-hour class per week - alternating between a computational class and a tutorial
- Six hours of independent study per week
See also Unit timetable information
Chief examiner(s)
This unit applies to the following area(s) of study
Prerequisites
Co-requisites
Prohibitions
PHS2022