PHYSICS 7570 - M.Philosophy Physics Part A

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2018

This course covers a range of advanced topics in physics, the methods of presentation and assessment of which vary according to module. Students will also be required to give a research presentation. Students enrolled in this course select four of the following modules: Advanced Astrophysics, Advanced Atmospheric Physics, 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 may be given permission by the Postgraduate Coordinator to substitute equivalent modules offered within the Faculty of Sciences and the Faculty of Faculty of Engineering, Computer & Mathematical Sciences. Students should consult the Postgraduate Coordinator regarding the selection of modules. Students must undertake PHYSICS 7575 `M. Philosophy Physics B' on completion of this course to meet program requirements.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PHYSICS 7570
    Course M.Philosophy Physics Part A
    Coordinating Unit School of Physical Sciences
    Term Semester 2
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 9
    Contact Up to 8 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Assumed Knowledge Completed undergraduate degree in Physics or equivalent
    Restrictions Available to M. Philosophy in Physics & Astrophysics students only
    Course Description This course covers a range of advanced topics in physics, the methods of presentation and assessment of which vary according to module. Students will also be required to give a research presentation.
    Students enrolled in this course select four of the following modules: Advanced Astrophysics, Advanced Atmospheric Physics, 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 may be given permission by the Postgraduate Coordinator to substitute equivalent modules offered within the Faculty of Sciences and the Faculty of Faculty of Engineering, Computer & Mathematical Sciences.
    Students should consult the Postgraduate Coordinator regarding the selection of modules.

    Students must undertake PHYSICS 7575 `M. Philosophy Physics B' on completion of this course to meet program requirements.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Ross Young

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    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)
    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)
    1,3,6
    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
    2,4,5,6
    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
    5,6
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    4,5,6
    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
    1,3,5,6
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    2 hours of lectures per module per week
    Workload

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

    A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 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

    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 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 Type of assessment Percentage of total assessment for grading purposes #
    Hurdle
    Yes or No #
    Objectives being assessed / achieved
    Research Presentation Formative NGP No 4 – 6
    Assignments Formative & Summative 30% - 100% * No 1 – 6
    Written Exams Summative 0% - 70% * No 1 – 6
    Assessment Detail
    Research Presentation:
    Students are required to give a research presentation on the current progress of their research project.

    Assignments:  *
    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 (8 to 12 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:  *
    Depending on the modules selected, written exams constitute 0% to 70% of the total course grade (1 exam per module, up to 4 exams in total). Written exams are used to assess the understanding of an ability to use the material covered in modules during the semester.

    * Assignment and examination weighting depends on modules selected by students.

    Final result and grade
    Upon successful completion of each module and the research presentation, the final grade for this course will be ‘Continuing’ (CN). The final result will be combined to the final result of PHYSICS 7565 ‘M. Philosophy Physics B’ and the appropriate grade will be given at the end of the second semester of study (after 15 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:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    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

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