PHYSICS OF QUANTUM MATTER
PHY3PQM
2017
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
In this subject, students explore fundamental quantum physics and its application to understanding the electronic and thermal properties of matter. This subject is one of four such units at third year level that together constitute the Physics major stream. This stream is an excellent preparation for a career in research or education in the physical sciences and also for honours and post-graduate research studies in Physics.
School: School of Molecular Sciences/LIMS
Credit points: 15
Subject Co-ordinator: Chris Pakes
Available to Study Abroad Students: Yes
Subject year level: Year Level 3 - UG
Exchange Students: Yes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites: (PHY2MOD and PHY2OPT and PHY2EMM) or (PHY2CLP and PHYMOD), and (MAT2VCA and MAT2LAL and MAT2MEC) or equivalent or approval from the Physics adviser of studies
Co-requisites: N/A
Incompatible subjects: PHY5PQA
Equivalent subjects: N/A
Special conditions: N/A
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Analyse, visualise and solve conceptual and mathematical problems related to and described by quantum matter.
- Activities:
- Problem-solving techniques are modelled in lectures and workshops and partial solutions to selected problems derived in tutorials. Students are assigned a set of conceptual and mathematical problems to solve in the form of four assignments.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
02. Analyse, generate and transmit solutions to complex problems in the field of quantum matter.
- Activities:
- Problem solving techniques are modelled in lectures and tutorials. Students will use these techniques to solve problems in quantum matter requiring sophisticated application of the techniques.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
03. Use standard technical software to implement computational solutions to problems too complex for analytical mathematical solutions.
- Activities:
- Computational skills will be further extended in workshops by students writing an extended program in Matlab to model and thus solve a difficult problem in quantum matter. The program will include extensive in-line documentation as per standard professional programming practice.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
Melbourne, 2017, Semester 1, Day
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Chris Pakes
Class requirements
TutorialWeek: 11 - 22
One 1.0 hours tutorial per week on weekdays during the day from week 11 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
LectureWeek: 10 - 22
Two 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
WorkShopWeek: 10 - 22
Six 3.0 hours workshop per study period on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| One 2-hour end of semester written exam | 50 | 01, 02 | |
| Four written assignments (equivalent to 1800 words) | Solutions to short essay questions including mathematical analysis. | 40 | 01, 02 |
| One computational assignment (equivalent to 700 words) | Marks will be awarded for both the appropriateness of the program design and quality of in-line documentation. | 10 | 03 |