Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
+ demonstrate an ability to understand the physics concepts and mathematical models taught in each unit and subject;
+ relate the theoretical concepts to relevant experiments;
+ exhibit skills in problem solving;
+ demonstrate an ability to carry out laboratory exercises successfully, and analyse the data and defend the conclusions both orally and in writing;
+ write a coherent account in assignments and experimental reports at a level appropriate to their peers and scientifically literate lay people;
+ critically assess existing work from libraries, data bases and other resources, and transmit this information to others;
+ develop an awareness of the applications of physics to other disciplines.
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 and image processing at both second and third-year levels, and in astronomy at the second-year level.
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 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.
Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Subjects: PHS1011, PHS1022, PHS1031, PHS1042
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 double degrees. PHS1031 and PHS1042 (Physics for biosciences) 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, without the use of calculus. 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.
Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Students who wish to study both physics and applied physics subjects in any one semester at second-year level may gain only twelve credit points as there are some 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 the twelve points in first semester, a student would enrol in PHS2011 and PHS2031, or PHS2311 and PHS2031. In second semester the twelve points consist of PHS2022 and PHS2042, or PHS2322 and PHS2042.
The two four-point subjects PHS2031 and PHS2042 may also be used to continue studies in biomedical applications of physics in second year.
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, electricity and magnetism, 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: MAA2011, MAT2010 and MAA2032.
PHS2031 and PHS2042 each comprise two units from the above physics or applied physics subjects, or the biophysics units of `Biophysical modelling', and `Energy flows and nature's metabolism', `Instrumentation for the life sciences' and `Scientific visualisation'. 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.
Subjects: PHS2251, PHS2262
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.
Subjects: PHS2311, PHS2322
The subjects PHS2311 and PHS2322 provide a background in instrumentation and monitoring in a variety of physical areas. These studies can be continued at third-year level and honours year. 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 physics subjects.
Subjects: PHS2431, PHS2442
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.
Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Subjects: PHS3011, PHS3022, PHS3031, PHS3042, PHS3051, PHS3062, PHS3350, PHS3360, PHS3611, PHS3622
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) from the list following the subject synopses for theoretical physics. Each unit comprises twelve one-hour lectures. The twelve-point physics subjects, PHS3031, PHS3042, PHS3051 and PHS3062 comprise four lecture units plus six hours of laboratory work per week for the semester. The twenty-four point physics subjects, PHS3011 and PHS3022 have eight lecture units and twelve hours of laboratory work per week. In all these subjects the choice of units must be approved by the coordinator.
Two physics project subjects, PHS3350 (four points) and PHS3360 (eight points), have been introduced to allow students to work individually on a project of their choice with a staff supervisor.
A special pair of twenty-four-point subjects, PHS3611 and PHS3622, is also offered and is designed for students with a background in both physics and physiology who wish to spend most of their time in third year taking physics with a substantial component of physiology. Students who do sufficiently well in both PHS3611 and PHS3622 may be allowed to proceed to PHS4000 (Physics) or PHY4000 (Physiology).
Subjects: PHS3131, PHS3142, PHS3151, PHS3162
The twelve-point theoretical physics subjects, PHS3131, PHS3142, PHS3151 and PHS3162 are made up from six lecture units. PHS3131 and PHS3142 also include a one-hour seminar class each week.
Subjects: PHS3331, PHS3342
Applied physics at third-year level comprises two subjects PHS3331 and PHS3342. These two subjects, each of four units, 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.
Subjects: PHS3431, PHS3442, PHS3450
This sequence comprises three subjects that examine the principles of low-level vision and pattern recognition processes in man and machine.
The subject PHS3431 examines in detail low-level vision processes in man and machine 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.
Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
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. A substantial period of time free of lectures, usually in second semester, will be allocated for students to complete their project.
Students may commence work on their projects in the last week in January or the first week in February, by arrangement with their supervisor, although projects are usually undertaken in second semester. The lecture units are normally 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.
The lecture units are listed. 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.