This course is designed as an essential core course for all students majoring in Physics. New materials enable new technologies and many practicing physicists in academia and industry work in this fundamental area of physics. This course aims to establish fundamental concepts in condensed matter physics, and applies the physics you have learned previously (in particular quantum mechanics, classical mechanics, electromagnetism and statistical mechanics) to these real-world materials. The structure and properties of solids including thermal and electrical properties are described in lectures, and investigated at first hand in the laboratory component of the course. Laboratories make use of many facilities across ANU, including electron microscopy, accelerator physics and X-ray diffraction. The electron theory of solids is developed and applied to explain the physical properties of metals, semiconductors, dielectrics and superconductors.
Students will practice solving theoretical problems in condensed matter physics in tutorials and further develop their understanding of the topics by completing the assignments.
The laboratory component includes a range of experiments from which students select those they wish to undertake, including experiments performed on research equipment in the laboratories of various research schools.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
1. Explain the significance and value of condensed matter physics, both scientifically and in the wider community
2. Critically analyse and evaluate experimental strategies, and decide which is most appropriate for answering specific questions
3. Research and communicate scientific knowledge in the context of a topic related to condensed matter physics, in either a technical or non-specialist format
4. Apply key analysis techniques to typical problems encountered in the field
5. Gain and apply discipline-specific knowledge, including self-directed research into the scientific literature.
Indicative Assessment
Assessment will be based on:
Examination (40%; LO 4, 5)
Laboratory work (25%; LO 2, 3, 4)
Assignments (35%; LO 1, 3, 5)
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
A total of approximately 36 lectures and tutorials and 18 hours of laboratory work.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Specialisations
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Students continuing in their current program of study will have their tuition fees indexed annually from the year in which you commenced your program. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1994-2003 | $1650 | |
| 2014 | $2946 | |
| 2013 | $2946 | |
| 2012 | $2946 | |
| 2011 | $2946 | |
| 2010 | $2916 | |
| 2009 | $2916 | |
| 2008 | $2916 | |
| 2007 | $2520 | |
| 2006 | $2520 | |
| 2005 | $2298 | |
| 2004 | $1926 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 1994-2003 | $3390 |
| 2014 | $3762 |
| 2013 | $3756 |
| 2012 | $3756 |
| 2011 | $3756 |
| 2010 | $3750 |
| 2009 | $3618 |
| 2008 | $3618 |
| 2007 | $3618 |
| 2006 | $3618 |
| 2005 | $3450 |
| 2004 | $3450 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7038 | 21 Jul 2014 | 01 Aug 2014 | 31 Aug 2014 | 30 Oct 2014 | In Person | N/A |
