Course Title: Electromagnetics and Quantum Physics
Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Electromagnetics and Quantum Physics
Credit Points: 12.00
Terms
Course Code |
Campus |
Career |
School |
Learning Mode |
Teaching Period(s) |
PHYS2128 |
City Campus |
Undergraduate |
135H Applied Sciences |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 2 2012, Sem 2 2013, Sem 2 2014, Sem 2 2015, Sem 2 2016 |
PHYS2128 |
City Campus |
Undergraduate |
171H School of Science |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 2 2017, Sem 2 2018, Sem 2 2019 |
PHYS2140 |
City Campus |
Postgraduate |
135H Applied Sciences |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 2 2014, Sem 2 2015, Sem 2 2016 |
PHYS2140 |
City Campus |
Postgraduate |
171H School of Science |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 2 2017, Sem 2 2018 |
Course Coordinator: Professor James Macnae
Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 3401
Course Coordinator Email: james.macnae@rmit.edu.au
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
Familiarity with differential and integral calculus as well as vectors is essential to understand the material presented and examined. Taking the Mathematics for Physicists MATH1129 course should be seriously considered ideally before or if necessary concurrently with this course. One or both of PHYS2127 Thermodynamics and Electromagnetism and PHYS2123 Modern Physics provide very useful introduction to this course.
Course Description
This course provides you with a quantitative understanding of the physical behaviour and laws of electromagnetism and quantum physics, and explores some of their important applications and consequences. The topics covered are essential prerequisites for advanced studies in physics.
The treatment of topics is mathematical and fast paced as this course is designed to provide the requisites in electromagnetic and quantum mechanics theory for post-graduate students in Medical Physics.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
On successful completion of this course you should be able to:
- understand the governing equations of electromagnetism and quantum mechanics;
- solve straightforward electric and magnetic field problems and describe the behaviour of the different components of electromagnetic fields in matter as described in Maxwell’s equations;
- solve elementary problems in Quantum Mechanics;
- be capable of communicating and explaining these concepts to others;
- apply the theory learned to novel physical situations, through mathematical manipulation of the underlying equations
This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes for BP229 and BP247:
PLO 1: Understanding science:
PLO 1.1: You will demonstrate an understanding of the scientific method and an ability to apply the scientific method in practice.
PLO 1.2: You will demonstrate an understanding of the role and relevance of science in society.
PLO 1.3: You will demonstrate an understanding of the role and importance of evidence in the continuous evolution of scientific knowledge.
PLO-2: Scientific knowledge
PLO 2.1: You will have broad knowledge in your chosen discipline, with deep knowledge in its core concepts.
PLO-3: Inquiry and Problem Solving
PLO 3.2: You will be able to gather, critically review and synthesise information relevant to a scientific inquiry or research project.
PLO 3.3: You will be able to choose appropriate tools and methods to solve scientific problems within your area of specialization.
PLO 3.4: You will demonstrate well-developed problem solving skills, applying your knowledge and using your ability to think analytically and creatively.
PLO-4: Communication
PLO 4.1: You will be able to communicate the solution to a problem or the results of a scientific investigation using effective oral, written and presentation skills.
PLO-5: Personal and professional responsibility
PLO 5.1: You will develop a capacity for independent and self-directed work.
PLO 5.2: You will work responsibly, safely, legally and ethically.
PLO 5.3: You will develop an ability to work collaboratively.
Overview of Learning Activities
You will learn in this course by:
- attendance at lectures where material will be presented and explained, and the subject will be illustrated with demonstrations and examples;
- private study, working through the theory as presented in lectures, texts and notes, and gaining practice at solving conceptual and numerical problems;
- completing tutorial questions designed to give you further practice in application of theory, and feedback on your progress and understanding;
- completing written and online assignments consisting of numerical and other problems requiring an integrated understanding of the subject matter;
Total study hours
A total of 120 hours of study is expected, comprising:
Teacher-guided activities: There will be 3 hours of face to face lectures and 1 to 2 hours of tutorial per week.
Student-directed activities: Due to the amount of material covered, at least 3 to 4 hours of textbook/notes revision per week is strongly suggested, including attempting problems in the textbook to ensure you have understood the concepts. Assignments (generally 7 in total) typically require 4 to 5 hours to complete, longer for those without good mathematical skills.
Overview of Learning Resources
The course will closely follow the material in two recommended textbooks, one for electromagnetics and one for quantum mechanics. Notes will be provided for electromagnetics.
Overview of Assessment
Note that: This course has no hurdle requirements
Assessment tasks
Assessment Task 1: Assignments
Weighting 45%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Assessment Task 2: Mid Semester Test
Weighting 25%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Assessment Task 3: Examination
Weighting 30%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3 and 4.