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Condensed Matter Physics 3 (PHYC30024)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
To learn more, visit 2023 Course and subject delivery.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This subject will introduce basic concepts in Condensed Matter Physics, the physics of solids and liquids, from a theoretical and experimental perspective. In particular, it will address the most fundamental concepts and techniques which are required to gain a basic understanding of materials. These concepts and techniques include crystal structure, reciprocal space, adiabatic approximation, free electrons, electrons in a periodic potential, insulators, conductors, semi-conductors and mean-field theory. The subject further aims to introduce some of the most basic experimental techniques in solid state physics and material research. Finally, this subject will provide a phenomenological introduction to one of the most fascinating states of matter: superconductors.
Intended learning outcomes
On completing this subject, students should be able to:
- Classify crystals, identify their symmetries and explain the notion of point and space groups;
- Model the solid state using the principles of quantum mechanics;
- Distinguish between conductors, insulators and semi-conductors with respect to their electronic properties;
- Apply Bloch's theorem and understand the notion of band structures;
- Examine the phenomenology of superconductors.
Generic skills
- analyse how to solve a problem by applying fundamental laws to more complicated situations
- apply abstract concepts to real world situations
- solve relatively complicated problems using approximations
- participate effectively in group discussions
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
All of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
PHYC30016 | Electrodynamics | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
PHYC30018 | Quantum Physics | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AND
One of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MAST20009 | Vector Calculus |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
MAST20032 | Vector Calculus: Advanced | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AND
One of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MAST10009 | Accelerated Mathematics 2 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MAST20026 | Real Analysis |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
MAST20030 | Differential Equations | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
PHYC20014 | Theoretical Physics 2 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MAST20033 | Real Analysis: Advanced | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Written Assignment 1
| Friday 5.00pm, Week 5 | 15% |
Written Assignment 2
| Friday 5.00pm, Week 11 | 15% |
Written examination
| During the assessment period | 70% |
Additional details
This Dual-Delivery subject has On Campus assessment components.
Assessment tasks have been allocated with regards to the total time that students are expected to devote to each, including preparation, private study and writing. The subject involves approximately 126 hours of independent study and 44 hours of contact time involving lectures and tutorials; 170 hours in total.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Stephan Rachel Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total of 44 hours: 36 hours lectures (3 x 1 hour lectures per week) and 8 hours a mixture of problem-solving classes and computational lab (four 2-hours classes in weeks 3,5,7,9). Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 24 July 2023 to 22 October 2023 Last self-enrol date 4 August 2023 Census date 31 August 2023 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2023 Assessment period ends 17 November 2023
Time commitment details
The total time commitment for this subject is 170 hours. Of this, 36 hours are lectures and 8 hours a mixture of problem-solving classes and computational lab. It might be advantageous to organise the problem-solving classes/computational lab in blocks of 2 hours in week 3, 5, 7 and 9. The remaining 126 hours are to be devoted to independent study distributed uniformly throughout the teaching and non-teaching periods of the Semester. Students should allocate approximately 40 hours to the study, preparation and writing of two assignments that each contribute 15% to the final mark for the subject. Approximately 86 hours should be allocated to independent study of the subject material and preparation for the final three hour examination. The final examination is to be held in the Examination Period and contributes 70% to the total assessment.
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Additional delivery details
This Dual-Delivery subject has On Campus assessment components.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
to be confirmed
- 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: 31 January 2024