Handbook 1996 : Faculty of Science
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The Undergraduate subjects in the School of Physics form a study of the world at its profoundest level. These subjects afford students the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the foundations and methodology of physics through both theoretical and experimental studies.
Physics 640-121+122 or 141+142, Mathematics 618-121, 618-122, and 132 or 618-141, 618-142, and 130 (618-200 or 618-211, equivalent to 122, being taken in second year), with either
Scientific Programming and Simulation 617-141 or 619-100 Experimental Design and Statistical Analysis and one of Chemistry 610-121+122, 141+142, or 161+162, Geology 625-101 and 625-102, Biology 600-141+142
or Computer Science 433-141 and 433-142 and one of: 618-131 Discrete Maths. (Adv. ), 619-100 Experimental Design and Statistical Analysis.
Physics:
Mathematics:
Plus two or three subjects selected from:
Physics:
Mathematics:
Chemistry:
Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopic Methods 610-260
with additional subjects selected from 300 Level Physics (chosen to satisfy the conditions set out in the table at the start of the 300-level Physics subjects entry) and, optionally, 300-level Mathematics or 300 level Chemistry.
Many Physics subjects are offered at standard and advanced levels. The treatment of the subject matter in the advanced subjects will be deeper and may involve more sophisticated mathematics.
Admission to advanced level subjects in the first year is restricted to students with a strong background in physics and mathematics and preference may be given to intending physics majors. Admission to advanced level subjects in later years is restricted to students who continue to obtain good marks in the prerequisite subjects and in physics and mathematics as a whole.
Students with adequate preparation do not disadvantage themselves by taking advanced level subjects.
Students wishing to enter fourth-year physics are normally expected to have passed in at least 640-(321 or 341), (322 or 342), (323 or 343) and 393, as well as satisfying normal faculty rules.
The Head of the School of Physics has the discretion to waive any of the above working rules in individual special cases.
There are three first year physics subject streams lasting the entire year and each made up of two one-semester subjects normally taken together, plus optional subjects in astronomy. Physics 640-(121+ 122) and 640-(141+142) assume a knowledge of VCE Units 3 and 4 physics and elementary calculus. Physics 640-(161+162) assumes some prior knowledge of physics and mathematics but not necessarily to VCE Units 3 and 4.
640-(121+122) Physics (Advanced) is an intellectually rigorous stream suited to students, embarking on any career, who have a strong background in physics and mathematics.
640-(141+142) Physics is a stream providing a coverage of physics suited to students wishing to major in any physical, technological or biological discipline.
640-(161+162) Physics is a stream giving a broader and more descriptive coverage of physics. It is designed to be a well-rounded single year treatment of physics for students who do not have a solid background in physics and mathematics. Students with sufficiently good results in Physics 640-(161+162 )and mathematics may be permitted to proceed to later year physics subjects.
Students who have concerns about their preparation in mathematics and physics are recommended to revise their knowledge by preliminary reading of an appropriate text, e. g. R. Cole, So you Want to Take Physics? A Preparatory Course with Calculus (Saunders 1993) (for 640-(121+122) & (141+142)) or R. Cole, So You Want to Take Physics? A Preparatory Course (Saunders 1993) (for 161+162).
Coordinator: Dr A Roberts
Students planning to major in physics must include in their courses Physics 640-223 or 640-243; 225 or 245; 226 or 246, and 299; and Mathematics 618-231 and 618-232. These mathematics subjects are a prerequisite for some 200-level and 300-level physics subjects. Mathematics 618-200 must also be taken if Mathematics 618-102 has not been passed in first year.
Coordinator: Dr A E C Spargo
Third year subjects fall into two groups; core and supplementary subjects. The core subjects are 640-(321 or 341), (322 or 342), (323 or 343), 351, 352, 353, 354 and 355. Students are required to include core subjects and laboratory work according to the following table:
Physics study Lab. work No. of core Maximum points of
required subjects supplementary
subjects
Major 393 3 8
(> =75 pts) 393 4 16
393 > =5 no limit
Sub-Major 392 2 8
(49-74 pts) 392 > =3 unrestricted
Separate none allowed unrestricted
subjects
(< =31 pts)
Students taking at least five core subjects may include Physics 640-391 or 640-392 as a supplementary subject.
Students majoring in mathematics may take the three advanced level core subjects without any Laboratory Work.
Any course which does not include Laboratory Work 640-393 does not constitute a Physics major. Such courses are intended for students wishing to take physics in conjunction with a major study in some other discipline.
Note: All students majoring in Physics must enrol in 640-310 Physics Undergraduate Seminar.
The Honours program consists of two subjects, 640-496 Physics Research (50 points) and 640-497 Physics Advanced Coursework (50 points) which must be taken concurrently.
Credit Points: 100 in total
Coordinators: Drs. K. A. Amos and M. N. Thompson
Objectives: The Honours program is Physics is designed to:
Prerequisites: Students wishing to enter Fourth Year Physics are normally expected to have passed in at least Physics 640 - (321 or 341), (322 or 342), (323 or 343) and 393, as well as satisfying normal Faculty rules.
Assessment: Successful completion of the Honours Program in Physics requires a mark, averaged over 640-496 and 640-497, of 65% or better.
It is expected that Physics Honours students will participate in the collegiate activities of the School, including attendance at the weekly School Colloquia and at relevant seminars arranged by the School's research groups.
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Handbook 1996 : Faculty of Science
Status: Official 1996 Date created: Oct 10 1995 Last modified: Oct 10 1995 Authorised by: Academic Registrar Email enquiries: Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au
Maintained by: Faculty of Science
Copyright © University of Melbourne 1995,1996.