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:

  1. 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;
  2. Develop knowledge of atomic and molecular structure and spectroscopy;
  3. Develop knowledge of the molecular basis of the thermodynamic laws and properties;
  4. Develop knowledge of the basic atomic models of gases, liquids, solids and phase transitions;
  5. 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.