Course Title: Quantum Mechanics and Radiation Physics

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Quantum Mechanics and Radiation Physics

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
PHYS2076	City Campus	Undergraduate	135H Applied Sciences	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2006, Sem 1 2007, Sem 1 2008, Sem 1 2009

Course Coordinator: Dr. Alex Merchant

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 99253390

Course Coordinator Email: alex.merchant@rmit.edu.au

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

This is a second year course and builds on the foundations developed in the first year of physics course. The course leads on from material developed in the first year subjects PHYS1046 Mechanics and Thermodynamics, and MATH1142 Mathematics for Scientists 1A.

Course Description

Quantum Mechanics and Radiation 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 is a second year undergraduate course and assumes a successful completion of the first year of a physics core subjects. It covers the physical understanding of matter from an atomic view point and as well as introducing with ’hands on’ experience a number of experimental techniques in the field of radiation physics.
The course has a theoretical lecture component and also involves worked exercises to illustrate the material which the student should work through in order to fully understand this theoretical material. The course is also augmented by a number of pertinent laboratory sessions.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

At the end of the course the student should:
• be able to solve elementary problems in Quantum Mechanics and Radiation Physics;
• be capable of communicating and explaining these concepts to others;
• be able to work in a group environment to solve extended physics problems;
• understand how to apply the theory they have learned to novel physical situations;
• be able to maintain a scientific journal and report on technical matters in a clear and concise way.

Overview of Learning Activities

Students 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 further practice in application of theory, and to give feedback on student progress and understanding;
• completing written assignments consisting of numerical and other problems requiring an integrated understanding of the subject matter;
• undertaking a number of laboratory experiments, keeping a journal of their work and writing a report on an experiment.
• Formative assessment, including Weblearn tests.

Overview of Learning Resources

Students will be able to access course information and learning materials through the Learning Hub (also known as online@RMIT) and will be provided with copies of additional materials in class. Lists of relevant reference texts and resources will be provided. Students will also use laboratory equipment and computer software within the School during project and assignment work.

Overview of Assessment

Much of the assessment is done continuously throughout the semester, through assignments, laboratory journals and reports. There will be a final examination in the course.