PHYSICS 4060B - Honours Physics Project Part 2

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2020

This course includes a substantial experimental or theoretical research project and a related topic in advanced physics. Students enrolled in this course select one of the following modules, depending on the nature of the project and subject to availability (and not already undertaken as part of the course PHYSICS 4010 Advanced Physics Part 1): Advanced Astrophysics, Advanced Atmospheric Physics, Electronics for Data Acquisition, Electrodynamics, Fourier Techniques and Applications, Gauge Field Theories, General Relativity, Non-Linear Optics, Nuclear And Radiation Physics, Quantum Field Theory and Relativistic Quantum Mechanics & Particle Physics. Students must consult the Honours Coordinator and project supervisor regarding the selection of the module as it must directly relate to their chosen research topic. The research project is selected at the start of the Honours year following consultation with the Honours Coordinator and depends on availability of research supervisors in the School in any particular year. Students are expected to meet with their Principal Supervisor on a weekly basis to work on their research project and must demonstrate satisfactory progress at the end of the first semester of study to be allowed to continue onto a second semester of study. A research report is submitted in the second semester of study in the course PHYSICS 4020B Honours Physics Project Part B.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PHYSICS 4060B
    Course Honours Physics Project Part 2
    Coordinating Unit School of Physical Sciences
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 12
    Contact By supervision
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange
    Corequisites PHYSICS 4055
    Incompatible PHYSICS 4000A/B, PHYSICS 4001A/B, PHYSICS 4020A/B
    Restrictions Available only to students admitted to the relevant Honours program
    Course Description This course includes a substantial experimental or theoretical research project and a related topic in advanced physics.
    Students enrolled in this course select one of the following modules, depending on the nature of the project and subject to availability (and not already undertaken as part of the course PHYSICS 4010 Advanced Physics Part 1): Advanced Astrophysics, Advanced Atmospheric Physics, Electronics for Data Acquisition, Electrodynamics, Fourier Techniques and Applications, Gauge Field Theories, General Relativity, Non-Linear Optics, Nuclear And Radiation Physics, Quantum Field Theory and Relativistic Quantum Mechanics & Particle Physics. Students must consult the Honours Coordinator and project supervisor regarding the selection of the module as it must directly relate to their chosen research topic.
    The research project is selected at the start of the Honours year following consultation with the Honours Coordinator and depends on availability of research supervisors in the School in any particular year. Students are expected to meet with their Principal Supervisor on a weekly basis to work on their research project and must demonstrate satisfactory progress at the end of the first semester of study to be allowed to continue onto a second semester of study. A research report is submitted in the second semester of study in the course PHYSICS 4020B Honours Physics Project Part B.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor Bruce Dawson

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    A successful student in this course should be able to:

    1 demonstrate a detailed physical and mathematical understanding of an advanced topic in physics;
    2 apply the concepts and theories of an advanced topic in physics;
    3 demonstrate specialised analytical skills and techniques necessary to carry out research in an advanced topic in physics;
    4 approach and solve new problems in an advanced topic in physics;
    5 demonstrate an understanding of the close relationship between scientific research and the development of new knowledge in a global context;
    6 undertake independent research in an area of advanced physics;
    7 analyse, interpret and critical evaluate research findings;
    8 demonstrate initiative and intellectual independence in scientific work;
    9 comply with regulatory frameworks and practising professional ethics relevant to physics.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1-7
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1-8
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    1,3,5,6,8,9
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1-9
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    5,9
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    1-8
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    · Supervised reading, weekly meetings with Principal Supervisor and research work over two semesters for the research component

    · 2 hours of lectures or a 3-hour practical session per week for one semester for the coursework module
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    A student enrolled in this 12 unit courses, such as these, should expect to spend, on average 24 hours per week on the studies required. This
    includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g. research,
    reading and revision).
    Learning Activities Summary

    Coursework

    The coursework comprises one of the following modules:

    Advanced Astrophysics

    Advanced Atmospheric Physics

    Electronics for Data Acquisition

    Fourier Techniques and Applications

    Non-Linear Optics

    Nuclear And Radiation Physics

    Quantum Field Theory

    Relativistic Quantum Mechanics & Particle Physics

    Project

    The project component of the course will require students to meet with their Principal Supervisor on a weekly basis and provide them with an update of their research work.

    Honours Colloquium

    Students will participate in an honours colloquium in which each will give a presentation of their research project. This is formative, will happen early in semester 2, and will serve as an opportunity for a stocktake of progress in the project preparatory to writing the research report.

    Research Report

    The research report will provide students with an opportunity to communicate with a literate but non-specialist physics audience and give them practice in writing and presenting a scientific report. The report should include an introduction to the research project, showing where it fits within the overall picture of physics and the nature and aims of the project, including a succinct description of the particular problems to solve. The report should be prepared in full consultation with the Principal Supervisor.

    Students will also be required to attend an oral examination in which they demonstrate their competency in the research project.

    Final result and grade
    The final result will be combined result of PHYSICS 4020A ‘Honours Physics Project Part A’ and PHYSICS 4020B ‘Honours Physics Project Part B’ and the appropriate grade will be given at the end of the second semester of study (after 12 units of study).
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment task Type of assessment Percentage of total assessment for grading purposes
    Hurdle


    Yes or No
    Outcomes being assessed / achieved Approximate Timing of Assessment for both Semester 1 and 2
    Research Report Formative & Summative 83% No 1 – 6 November
    Honours Colloquium Formative No 3 – 7 August
    Assignments Formative and Summative 5% – 10% No 1 – 8 Weeks 3 – 9
    Written Exams Summative 7% - 12% * No 1 – 6 University Exam Period
    Assessment Detail

    Coursework module (17%)

    Assignments: (5% - 10% of course ) *

    The standard assessment consists of 2 assignments or 3 assignments if there is no written exam (2 to 3 assignments in total). This may be varied by negotiation with students at the start of the semester.

    Assignments are used during the semester to address understanding of and ability to use the course material and to provide students with a benchmark for their progress in the course.

    Written Examination: (7% - 12% of course) *

    A written exam is used to assess the understanding of and ability to use the material covered in the module during the semester.

    * Assignment and examination weighting depends on the module selected by students.

    Research project (83%)

    Students must demonstrate satisfactory progress in the research project at regular meetings with their Principal Supervisor.

    Students will write a report (up to 50 pages) on their project and this will be examined by a panel of 5 senior academic staff, who will then conduct an honours interview to assess the student’s knowledge of, and contribution to, the project.

    Final result and grade
    The final result will be combined result of PHYSICS 4020A ‘Honours Physics Project Part A’ and PHYSICS 4020B ‘Honours Physics Project Part B’ and the appropriate grade will be given at the end of the second semester of study (after 12 units of study).
    Submission
    If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the
    assignment for each calendar day that the assignment is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks
    will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days late or more without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M11 (Honours Mark Scheme)
    GradeGrade reflects following criteria for allocation of gradeReported on Official Transcript
    Fail A mark between 1-49 F
    Third Class A mark between 50-59 3
    Second Class Div B A mark between 60-69 2B
    Second Class Div A A mark between 70-79 2A
    First Class A mark between 80-100 1
    Result Pending An interim result RP
    Continuing Continuing CN

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

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