Course Title: Quantum & Statistical Physics
Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Quantum & Statistical Physics
Credit Points: 12.00
Terms
Course Code |
Campus |
Career |
School |
Learning Mode |
Teaching Period(s) |
PHYS2157 |
City Campus |
Postgraduate |
171H School of Science |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 1 2017, Sem 1 2018, Sem 1 2019 |
Course Coordinator: Professor Toby Allen
Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 0439
Course Coordinator Email: toby.allen@rmit.edu.au
Course Coordinator Location: 14.06.15
Course Coordinator Availability: Please email for an appointment
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
It is assumed that you have acquired the knowledge and capabilities developed in an undergraduate Bachelor’s degree level science or engineering degree.
Course Description
Quantum and Statistical Physics deals with the description of the structure of matter at the atomic level. It has wide applicability to almost all areas of science and technology particularly those that deal with the properties of materials.
This course covers the physical understanding of matter from an atomic view point as well as introducing the fundamentals upon which modern computer modelling of matter is based.
The course has a theoretical lecture component and also involves worked exercises which you should work through in order to fully understand this theoretical material.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
This course is an option course so it is not required to contribute to program learning outcomes (PLOs) though it may assist you in developing your PLOs.
On successful completion of this course you should be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the basic ideas and tools of elementary quantum theory, and be able to apply them in other fields which use quantum theory;
- Develop knowledge of atomic and molecular structure and spectroscopy;
- Develop knowledge of the molecular basis of the thermodynamic laws and properties;
- Develop knowledge of the basic atomic models of gases, liquids, solids and phase transitions;
- Apply statistical mechanical techniques to a variety of applied problems such as equation of state and heat capacity modelling.
Overview of Learning Activities
Learning will occur through a series of lectures, plus a set of non-assessable assignments designed to give experience in applications and to illustrate basic concepts.
Total Study Hours
A total of 120 hours of study is expected during this course, comprising:
Teacher-guided activities (48 hours): lectures and tutorials
Student-directed activities (72 hours): You are expected to study independently managing your own learning progress.
Overview of Learning Resources
You should be provided with copies of lecture notes and additional materials in class. Lists of relevant reference texts and resources in the library should also be provided.
Overview of Assessment
Note: This course has no hurdle requirements.
Assessment tasks
Assessment Task 1: Class Test 1
Weighting 20% - this assessment task supports CLOs 1-5.
Assessment Task 2: Class Test 2
Weighting 20% - this assessment task supports CLOs 1-5.
Assessment Task 3: Mid-Semester Exam
Weighting 30% - this assessment task supports CLOs 1-5.
Assessment 4: End-of-Semester Exam
Weighting 30% - this assessment supports CLOs 1-5.