Nationally recognised with two teaching awards, Foundations of Physics aims to teach you to think like a physicist!

A course for anyone who wants to get a solid foundation in basic-physics concepts, or needs to catch up before entering into a major. It will also teach you skills and an approach to problem solving that you will take forward in your life.

The course offers a unique hands-on approach to learning physics. You will get the background material for each week in a short one hour theory lecture, and then have the opportunity, over the course of an afternoon, to put that theory into practice. You will work in small teams to build, test and analyse physics experiments directly relevant to the material you are learning. Lab manuals and instructions are forbidden! Just like a real researcher.

We introduce students to the key concepts in physics in the areas of mechanics, electricity and magnetism. It is an algebra-based course suitable for those who wish to undertake some physics but do not have a strong mathematical background, and great for those keen on entering graduate medicine via the GAMSAT.

If you have ever wanted to get a real taste of what physics is all about, this is the course for you.

The course is taught by young, enthusiastic and experienced teachers with research interests in nuclear and environmental physics, advanced materials engineering, laser science, and more!

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Understand the fundamental principles of classical mechanics, electric and magnetic fields and simple electrical circuits.
2. Be able to apply these principles to the solution of problems and to the conduct of experiments.
3. Have a basic understanding of uncertainty in the context of physics, and how to handle it.
4. Have basic laboratory skills including equipment skills, data gathering, record keeping, data analysis, experiment design, and presentation.

Recommended Resources

We STRONGLY recommend keeping a good lab notebook for the assessment tasks. TAKE PICTURES AND VIDEOS, and keep a good record to aid yourself in completing the assessment tasks. See the Canvas resources page for more ideas and information. 

Recommended student system requirements 

• ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:
• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Videos: written feedback related to marking rubric for each submission within 7 business days of submission.
• Written assignments: written feedback within 10 business days on turn it in system, and related to rubric.
• Online weekly homework: correct answers and solutions to a subset of questions available through Canvas system after submission.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Weeks 1-12:The course will be divided into a "Mechanics" section before the mid-semester break (Weeks 1 to 6), and an "Electromagnetism (Electricity and Magnetism)" section after the mid-term break (Weeks 7 to 12). Content and concepts will go up on Canvas each week as we progress through the course. Every week, the course is centred around 1 or 2 hours lectures, a 3 hours Lab session and 2 hours of tutorials. The lab session is where you will apply concepts introduced during the lecture(s) each week. The schedule is below:Compulsory Timetable Items There is 1 or 2 weekly concepts lectures (see weekly Canvas blocks and timetable) per week. There is an important intro lecture on week 1, the first Lecture of the course, where we will go through everything important to succeed in PHYS1001. 8 Studio Lab sessions (3 hours) are considered compulsory every week that it runs (not all weeks). Recommended Timetable Items Tutorials will be drop-in style in the Physics Studio G1, for help with assessments and questions on the lectures. While not compulsory, you will be at a disadvantage if you miss these sessions.	In this course, your grade is built from several components, each designed to test a different superpower of a budding physicist. Think of it like assembling your own academic particle: each piece adds to the total mass-energy of your final mark.Laboratories are worth a massive 60% of your final grade. This consists of: 4 lab videos — 10% each 2 written lab reports — 10% each In other words: labs are not an optional side quest — they are the main experiment.Video assignments will be allocated randomly.If you miss a lab, you may still be selected to submit a video for that experiment. In that case, missing the lab can have a negative impact on your grade.Only students with a genuine, documented reason (e.g. medical or approved special consideration) will be excused from selection for a missed lab. “I was busy”, “I forgot”, or “I thought it wouldn’t matter” do not satisfy the laws of physics or the course rules.In theory, you can miss a lab. In practice, your grade will notice. Here’s the breakdown:   ? 4 Lab Videos — 10% each (40% total) You’ll produce four short lab videos where you explain what you did, why you did it, what physics is behind it, and how badly your uncertainty calculations tried to sabotage you.Think of these as your “science communication training montages”, you’re basically becoming the David Attenborough of your own experiment.  ? 2 Written Lab Reports — 10% each (20% total) Yes, the classic written report still exists.But don’t worry, you’ll only write two: one for the Mechanics part and one for the Electromagnetic part.These assess your ability to communicate like a real scientist: clear logic, convincing reasoning, and graphs that hopefully don’t look like modern art.  ? Homework — 10% Regular practice beats last-minute panic (this is experimentally verified).Complete the problem sets, wrestle with the questions, and show your working.Marks are awarded for genuine effort, not just magically appearing answers.Think of it like classical mechanics: force applied consistently over time produces resultsFrom Week 2 to Week 6 and from Week 8 to Week 12, you will complete a short set of homework questions each week. Each homework contributes 1% to your final grade, for a total of 10%. These exercises are designed to help you practise and consolidate the concepts covered in the lectures. The aim is to strengthen your understanding rather than overwhelm you, so the questions are focused, manageable, and directly connected to what we discuss in class.Homework is an important part of your learning: it gives you the opportunity to apply ideas, check your progress, and identify areas you may want to revisit. You are welcome to discuss the homework questions during tutorial sessions, where we can work through challenges together and clarify tricky concepts.Make sure to complete each homework — while each is worth only 1%, together they add up to 10% of your final grade and provide consistent practice throughout the semester. And remember, support is always available!  Final Exam — 30% This is your big moment - the grand unification of everything you’ve learned.We’re not trying to break your spirit, only test if you can think like a physicist without access to YouTube, your lab partner, or that one genius in the back row who understands everything instantly.  Total:  By the end of the course, you’ll have communicated science, written like a physicist, experimented in the lab, and solved problems under pressure.We promise: it’s challenging, it’s fun, and it’s exactly what real physics looks like.

Tutorial Registration

Tutorials will be in the Physics Studio G1 Bldg 38A on Thursday 11 am – 1 pm. Here you have a chance to work alone, in pairs or groups on your homework, lab, and lectures' questions and quizzes. We (Convenors(s) and Tutors) will be there to assist and help you and you can ask questions.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Weekly Homework	10 %	1
Lab Sessions: 4 Video summaries, 40% total (10% each)	40 %	2
Written Lab Reports, 10% each (20% total)	20 %	3
Final Exam — 30%	30 %	4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Canvas’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Participation is not graded; however, you will seriously disadvantage yourself by missing lectures, labs, and tutorials.

If you miss a lab, you may still be selected to submit a video for that experiment. In that case, missing the lab can have a negative impact on your grade.

Only students with a genuine, documented reason (e.g. medical or approved special consideration) will be excused from selection for a missed lab. “I was busy”, “I forgot”, or “I thought it wouldn’t matter” do not satisfy the laws of physics or the course rules.

Examination(s)

Please check ANU Exam Timetables or Canvas for final dates, times and location as appropriate.

Please note, that where a date range is used in the Assessment Summary in relation to exams, the due date and return date for mid-semester exams indicate the approximate timeframe in which the exam will be held; the due and return date for end of semester exams indicate the approximate timeframe in which the exam will be held and the date official end of Semester results are released on ISIS. Students should consult the course Canvas site and the ANU final examination timetable to confirm the date, time and venue of the exam.

Assessment Task 1

Weekly Homework

? Homework — 10%

Regular practice beats last-minute panic (this is experimentally verified).

Complete the problem sets, wrestle with the questions, and show your working.

Marks are awarded for genuine effort, not just magically appearing answers.

Think of it like classical mechanics: force applied consistently over time produces results

From Week 2 to Week 6 and from Week 8 to Week 12, you will complete a short set of homework questions each week. Each homework contributes 1% to your final grade, for a total of 10%. These exercises are designed to help you practise and consolidate the concepts covered in the lectures. The aim is to strengthen your understanding rather than overwhelm you, so the questions are focused, manageable, and directly connected to what we discuss in class.

Homework is an important part of your learning: it gives you the opportunity to apply ideas, check your progress, and identify areas you may want to revisit. You are welcome to discuss the homework questions during tutorial sessions, where we can work through challenges together and clarify tricky concepts.

Make sure to complete each homework — while each is worth only 1%, together they add up to 10% of your final grade and provide consistent practice throughout the semester. And remember, support is always available!

Extensions will only be granted if they are applied for well before the close, and for good reason. Email the convenors stating how long an extension you need and why. See Canvas for more details about extension.

Students are expected to contribute on an on-going basis throughout the semester.

Assessment Task 2

Lab Sessions: 4 Video summaries, 40% total (10% each)

? 4 Lab Videos — 10% each (40% total)

You’ll produce four short lab videos where you explain what you did, why you did it, what physics is behind it, and how badly your uncertainty calculations tried to sabotage you.

Think of these as your “science communication training montages”, you’re basically becoming the David Attenborough of your own experiment.

Students are expected to contribute on an on-going basis throughout the semester.

Video assignments will be allocated randomly.

If you miss a lab, you may still be selected to submit a video for that experiment. In that case, missing the lab can have a negative impact on your grade.

Only students with a genuine, documented reason (e.g. medical or approved special consideration) will be excused from selection for a missed lab. “I was busy”, “I forgot”, or “I thought it wouldn’t matter” do not satisfy the laws of physics or the course rules.

Assessment Task 3

Written Lab Reports, 10% each (20% total)

? 2 Written Lab Reports — 10% each (20% total)

Yes, the classic written report still exists.

But don’t worry, you’ll only write two: one for the Mechanics part and one for the Electromagnetic part.

These assess your ability to communicate like a real scientist: clear logic, convincing reasoning, and graphs that hopefully don’t look like modern art.

One of these is due per term. You may choose any of the labs, except for those you submitted a video summary already. For the report, we suggest the following headings (I) Abstract, (II) Introduction, (III) Experimental Method, (IV) Results and Discussion, (V) Conclusion, with no strict word limit (although communication is a marking criteria, and being concise is important). 

We'll be marking both the reports/essays on according to: 

• correct physics (60%)
• Have you incorporated the correct physics, and the right amount? Can you back up results/analysis or arguments?
• critical thinking/reasoning (25%)
• Correct analysis and interpretation of results.
• Good communication (15%)
• Clear, concise English, free of jargon. If you cannot communicate effectively, this will likely effect other parts of the rubric. The Academic skills centre can help you improve your writing.

A High Distinction will only be given in the case that we really find your work exceptional.

See Canvas for more details on how the grading is defined.

Students are expected to contribute on an on-going basis throughout the semester.

Assessment Task 4

Final Exam — 30%

Final Exam — 30%

This is your big moment - the grand unification of everything you’ve learned.

We’re not trying to break your spirit, only test if you can think like a physicist without access to YouTube, your lab partner, or that one genius in the back row who understands everything instantly.

Date/location to be determined.

See Canvas for these details and what is expected at the final exam.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

No submission of online weekly homework (assessment task 1) without an extension after the due date will be permitted. If an assessment task 1 is not submitted by the due date, a mark of 0 will be awarded. Partially completed homework will be graded.

Late submission of video and written tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

Weekly assignments will be returned the week after submission.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students