PHYSICS 4055 - Advanced Physics Part 2

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

This course covers a range of advanced topics in physics, the methods of presentation and assessment of which vary according to module. Students enrolled in this course select three of the following modules, 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, Data Analysis and Modelling, 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 Head of Discipline regarding the selection of modules as each module has specific Level III Physics pre-requisites. Students enrolled in the B. Science (Honours) in the Discipline of Physics may be given permission by the Head of Discipline to substitute equivalent modules offered within the Faculty of Sciences, Engineering & Technology.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PHYSICS 4055
    Course Advanced Physics Part 2
    Coordinating Unit Physics
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 6
    Contact Up to 7 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange
    Prerequisites PHYSICS 4050
    Incompatible PHYSICS 7565A, PHYSICS 7565B, PHYSICS 4015
    Assessment Written assignments and exams
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor James Zanotti

    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 a variety of systems and processes in a range of advanced topics in physics;
    2 apply the concepts and theories of a range of advanced topics in physics;
    3 demonstrate specialised analytical skills and techniques necessary to carry out advanced calculations in a range of advanced topics in physics;
    4 approach and solve new problems in a range of advanced topics 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 a physical or mathematical field .
    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)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1-6

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1-4,6

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    1,3,5,6

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    1-6

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    1-6
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    Internal *

    - 2 hours of lectures or 3 hours of practical sessions per module per week
    * The method of delivery depends on modules selected by students.
    Workload

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

    A student enrolled in a 6 unit course, such as this, 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., reading and
    revision).
    Learning Activities Summary

    The course content includes a selection of three of the following modules:
    Ø Advanced Astrophysics
    - Fundamentals of Radiative Transfer and scattering
    - Interstellar Hydrogen, the Violent ISM and Star Formation
    - Cosmic Ray and Gamma-ray Observations and Techniques
    - Astrophysical Neutrinos
    - Radiation by Accelerated Charge and Relativistic Bremsstrahlung
    - Synchrotron and Inverse Compton Radiation
    - Cosmic Ray Diffusion and Acceleration
    - Relativistic Doppler Factor and Active Galactic Nuclei
    - Thermal Bremsstrahlung
    - Attenuation of photons in the Universe

    Ø Advanced Atmospheric Physics
    - Introduction to Planetary Atmospheres
    - Radiation and Radiative Transfer
    - Atmospheric Dynamics and the Role of Waves
    - Ionospheric Physics

    Ø Electronics for Data Acquisition
    - Introduction to analogue and digital electronics for signal processing, data acquisition and experiment control
    - Introduction to PIC microcontrollers for data acquisition and experiment control

    Ø Electrodynamics
    - Electrostatics
    - Inhomogeneous wave equations
    - Radiation
    - Propagation issues
    - Relativity
    - Scattering and radiation reaction

    Ø Fourier Techniques and Applications
    - One-dimensional FT and applications, including convolution and wavelets
    - Two-dimensional FT and applications, including diffraction and antennas
    - Three-dimensional FT and applications to weak scattering
    - Heat Conduction and Diffusion

    Ø Gauge Field Theories
    - Principles of Gauge Invariance
    - Gauge invariance in Abelian gauge field theories
    - Group theory in particle physics
    - U(1) gauge group
    - Internal symmetries
    - Special unitary groups SU(n), SU(2)
    - Gauge invariance in non-Abelian gauge field theories
    - Gauge invariance and geometry
    - Functional methods
    - Path integral quantization and gauge theories
    - Generating functional methods
    - Non-Abelian gauge fields and the Fadeev-Popov method
    - Massive gauge bosons: Spontaneous breaking of gauge symmetry
    - Higgs mechanism
    - Electroweak unification and the Standard Model
    - Electroweak interactions
    - CKM matrix
    - Perturbation theory
    - Regularization and renormalization procedure

    Ø General Relativity
    - Special Relativity - Review
    - Principle of Equivalence
    - Classical Field Theory
    - Stress-Energy Tensor
    - Differential Geometry
    - Curved Space-Time
    - Einstein's Theory of Gravitation
    - Schwarzschild Metric
    - Introduction to Cosmology

    Ø Non-Linear Optics
    - Introduction: Overview and review of nonlinear optics.
    - Wave equation description of NLO: Second Harmonic Generation, phase matching,
    - Second, Third and higher order
    - Intensity dependent index of refraction, general tensor formulation of susceptibility.
    - Nonlinear optical processes: intensity dependent index
    - Semiconductor and molecular nonlinearities
    - Inelastic nonlinear optical processes: Stimulated Raman, Brillouin etc.
    - Optical Phase conjugation
    - Nonlinear Fibre Optics: Fibre Fundamentals: overview of basic fibre concepts, types, properties and applications. Photonic Crystals: concepts, 1- 2- and 3-dimensional photonic crystals, Fibre Bragg Gratings
    - Optical Glasses: concepts, optical and thermal properties, fabrication,
    - Microstructured Fibres: guidance mechanisms, optical properties, fabrication and applications, Nonlinear fibre devices based on microstructured fibres: review of operation of a range of devices
    - Thermonuclear laser fusion
    - Quantum optics, quantum cryptography

    Ø Nuclear And Radiation Physics
    - Nuclear Physics
    - Nuclear Reactions
    - Radiation Physics

    Ø Quantum Field Theory
    - Introduction
    - Classical Field Theory
    - Field Quantisation
    - Invariant Functions
    - Fermion Fields
    - Interacting Theories
    - Introductory Quantum Electrodynamics
    - Cross Sections and Decay Rates

    Ø Relativistic Quantum Mechanics & Particle Physics
    - Relativistic Quantum Mechanics
    - Particle Physics
  • 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 Task Type Percentage of total assessment for grading purposes
    Hurdle Yes/No
    Learning Outcome
    Assignments Formative & Summative

    30-100%

    No 1-6
    Written Exams Summative 0-70% No 1-6
    Assessment Detail
    Assignments: (30%-100% of total course grade) *

    Depending on the modules selected, assignments constitute 30% to 100% of the total course grade.

    The standard assessment consists of 2 assignments per module or 3 assignments if there is no written exam (6 to 9 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: (0%-70% of total course grade) *

    Depending on the modules selected, written exams constitute 0% to 70% of the total course grade (1 exam per module, up to 3 exams in total). Written exams are used to assess the understanding of and ability to use the material covered in modules during the semester.
    * Assignment and examination weighting depends on modules selected by students.
    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.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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