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Physics 1 (PHYC10003)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Director of First Year Studies
Email: dfys@physics.unimelb.edu.au
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject is designed for students with a sound background in physics, and aims to provide a strong understanding of a broad range of physics principles.
Topics include:
Mechanics: describing and explaining translational and rotational motion, for example in the contexts of human and animal movement and transport (Newton’s laws of motion, both translational and rotational; energy transfer and transformation; momentum and impulse; simple harmonic motion, equilibrium).
Waves and sound: water waves; seismic waves; production and detection of sound, eg. musical instruments, hearing; ultrasound (reflection and refraction, superposition, resonance, energy transport, absorption, Doppler effect).
Optics: optical imaging, sensors and optical instruments, human vision, crystallography (dispersion, lenses and mirrors, interference, diffraction, polarisation).
Gravitation: weightlessness, planetary and satellite orbits, escape velocity (universal gravity, Kepler’s laws).
Special relativity: particle accelerators, the ‘twin paradox’ (Einstein’s modification of Newtonian physics, relativity of time and space, equivalence of mass and energy).
Vector notation, and differential and integral calculus, are used wherever appropriate.
Intended learning outcomes
To enable students to understand the importance of physical principles and develop their capacity to:
- understand and explain the physics principles of translational and rotational mechanics, waves, optics and special relativity;
- apply these principles using logical reasoning, together with appropriate mathematical reasoning, to a variety of familiar and novel situations and problems; and
- acquire experimental data using a range of measurement instruments and interpret these data.
Generic skills
A student who completes this subject should be able to:
- explain their understanding of physics principles and applications lucidly, both in writing and orally;
- acquire and interpret experimental data and design experimental investigations;
- participate as an effective member of a group in tutorial discussions, laboratory and study groups;
- think independently and analytically, and direct his or her own learning;
- manage time effectively in order to be prepared for regular practical and tutorial classes, tests and the examination.
Last updated: 22 March 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Physics and Mathematics prerequisites exist for this subject.
Physics
- VCE Units 3/4 Physics or equivalent
Or one of:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
PHYC10002 | Physics 2: Advanced | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
PHYC10004 | Physics 2: Physical Science & Technology | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
PHYC10006 | Physics 2: Life Sciences & Environment | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Mathematics
One of
- VCE Units 3/4 Mathematical Methods or equivalent
- Admission into the Bachelor of Science
OR both of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MAST10014 | Foundation Mathematics 1 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MAST10015 | Foundation Mathematics 2 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
Students may only gain credit for one of
- PHYC10001 Physics 1: Advanced
- PHYC10003 Physics 1
- PHYC10005 Physics 1: Fundamentals
Recommended background knowledge
Students who have not completed the equivalent of VCE Unit 3/4 Specialist Mathematics are encouraged to enrol in MAST10005 Calculus 1 concurrently with this subject.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 22 March 2024
Assessment
Additional details
Ongoing assessment of practical work during the semester (25%); ten weekly assignments (10 x 1.5% = 15%); a 3-hour written examination in the examination period (60%).
Satisfactory completion of practical work is necessary to pass the subject (i.e. attendance and submission of work for at least 80% of workshop sessions together with a result for assessed work of at least 50%).
Last updated: 22 March 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Roger Rassool Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 3 x one hour lectures per week; 1 x one hour tutorial per week; 28 hours of practical work (8 x three hour laboratory sessions and up to 30 minutes of pre-laboratory activity) and 10 weekly assignments of 30 minutes each during the semester. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 4 March 2019 to 2 June 2019 Last self-enrol date 15 March 2019 Census date 31 March 2019 Last date to withdraw without fail 10 May 2019 Assessment period ends 28 June 2019 Semester 1 contact information
Director of First Year Studies
Email: dfys@physics.unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours
Additional delivery details
This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory activities.
Last updated: 22 March 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Fundamentals of Physics, 10th Edition Halliday, Resnick, Walker
ISBN: 9781118230725
- Subject notes
This subject is available for science credit to students enrolled in the BSc (both pre-2008 and new degrees), BASc or a combined BSc course.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED Informal specialisation Bachelor of Design Elective Subjects - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 22 March 2024