PHYSICS 4020A - Honours Physics (HPCP) Project Part 1
North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2025
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code PHYSICS 4020A Course Honours Physics (HPCP) Project Part 1 Coordinating Unit Physics Term Semester 2 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Contact By supervision Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Prerequisites Successful completion of 72 units of an undergraduate degree program. Corequisites PHYSICS 4010 Incompatible PHYSICS 4000A/B, PHYSICS 4001A/B Restrictions Available only to students admitted to the relevant Honours program Assessment Research project report, written assignments, exam Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Professor James Zanotti
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
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) 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.
1-7 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.
1-8 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.
1,3,5,6,8,9 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.
1-9 Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency
Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.
5,9 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.
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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 moduleWorkload
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:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Assessment task Type of assessment Percentage of total assessment for grading purposes
Hurdle
Yes or NoOutcomes 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
Late 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:
NOG (No Grade Associated) Grade Description CN Continuing 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.
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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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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
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- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
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