• Offered by Research School of Physics
  • ANU College ANU Joint Colleges of Science
  • Course subject Physics
  • Areas of interest Physics
  • Academic career UGRD
  • Course convener
    • Prof Jodie Bradby
  • Mode of delivery In Person
  • Offered in Second Semester 2021
    See Future Offerings

This course has been adjusted for remote participation in Sem 2 2021, however students are encouraged to attend on-campus activities if possible.

The concepts of physics can be used to help understand many systems and processes in living organisms and the environment. For example, the physics of momentum and energy help us to understand the effects of collisions and impacts; the physics of heat and energy helps us to understand how changes in temperature affect both our bodies and the world around us; the physics of sound and light helps us understand how we hear and see. In addition, physics has provided us with ideas and technologies which have revolutionised medicine and studies of biology and the environment, including techniques such as carbon dating, ultrasound, PET scans and more.

This course is intended to provide non-physics students in the College of Science and College of Health & Medicine (particularly those interested in biology and medical science) and students in the other Colleges with an introduction to the fundamental concepts of physics in the context of biological, medical and environmental examples. Topics covered may include: the relationship between force and energy, the physics of impact and stress, the physics of blood flow and breathing, hearing and seeing, radiation, medical imaging and nuclear power.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

  1. analyse physical situations and problems using the language and approaches of physics
  2. obtain quantitative answers to basic theoretical problems
  3. design and perform experimental measurements to answer particular questions about the physical properties of a system
  4. evaluate the limitations of particular experimental approaches in specific situations
  5. work constructively in small groups to solve theoretical and experimental problems
  6. communicate effectively about physics with their peers.

Other Information

This course may be taken after successful completion of either PHYS1001 or PHYS1101, but may also be taken without either.

Indicative Assessment

  1. Web-based questions (10) [LO 1,2]
  2. Workshop questions (10) [LO 1,2,5,6]
  3. In-class tests (10) [LO 1,2]
  4. Formal lab program (20) [LO 3,4]
  5. Final exam (50) [LO 1,2]

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

The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including:

• Face-to face component which may consist of 1 x 1 hour lecture , 1 x 1 hour tutorial and 1 x 1 hour workshop per week and 1 x 3 hour laboratory session weekly for 7 weeks.

• Approximately 73 hours of self directed study which will include preparation for lectures and other assessment tasks.

Inherent Requirements

To be determined

Prescribed Texts

N/A

Fees

Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.  

Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you 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). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees

Student Contribution Band:
2
Unit value:
6 units

If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found 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
Domestic fee paying students
Year Fee
2021 $4110
International fee paying students
Year Fee
2021 $5880
Note: Please note that fee information is for current year only.

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.

The list of offerings for future years is indicative only.
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
6470 26 Jul 2021 02 Aug 2021 14 Sep 2021 29 Oct 2021 In Person N/A

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