| Unit name | Foundations of Modern Physics |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PHYSM0023 |
| Credit points | 10 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Dennis |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
Anti-requisite: PHYSM3407 Current Topics in Physics |
| School/department | School of Physics |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
The aim of this course is to enable students, who usually will already have detailed modular knowledge of topics, to appreciate physics as a whole through its foundations and fundamental assumptions. The lectures are divided into Classical, Spacetime and Quantum Physics, but their interrelation is emphasised. The approach is via on the theoretical motivation than experimental verification of physical laws, and aims to provide an overview of the discipline rather than a rigorous treatment of the details.
Emphasis is placed on students developing an appreciation of the foundations of different areas of physics, and the unit assessment involves students writing an essay whose detailed subject is partly decided by the student. The problems class workshops provide an environment where students can begin to explore these ideas in class exercises.
Aims:
Students should be able to:
Lectures, problems classes and directed reading.
500 word introductory assignment (20%), 2000 word essay (80%). Formative feedback will be provided on an essay plan.
