Electromagnetism & Modern Physics (PHYS1002)

Course overview

Electricity, magnetism, optics, quantum physics, relativity. Laboratory experiments.

Our fundamental view of the universe has been revolutionised by physics discoveries and theoretical breakthroughs over the last 200 years. PHYS1002 provides a broad overview of the foundations of modern physics, which also underpin much of our contemporary technology. The content includes electromagnetism from which photonic and RF/microwave communications were developed; relativity required for GPS navigation; and quantum physics critical for lasers and semiconductors, and hence computers and many other technologies. PHYS1002 is a core physics course for entry to second level physics.

PHYS1002 is taught with a philosophy of active learning. Studies at Harvard, MIT and other universities (including UQ) have shown active learning approaches to be more effective than conventional lectures in generating deep understanding of physics concepts. To get the full benefit from it you will need to put in work to prepare for each class. ﾠ

The most effective preparation for class is to read the relevant sections of the textbook. You don't need to understand everything in the reading - the purpose is to gain some familiarity with the content so that we can use class time – in the form of interactive workshops – to help you process the content and develop understanding.

To help you in this preparation, we have created a comprehensive set of online resources. ﾠDelivered via the UQ Extend platform, these resources include:

• Introductory videos that highlight the important concepts you will encounter in the assigned textbookﾠreading.
• Short podcasts providing a student viewpoint of the reading.
• Problem-solving videos in which staff members talk through the stepsﾠinvolved in solving relevant problems.
• For some topics, there are also interactive simulations.
• Sets of check-your-knowledge multiple choice questions for feedback.

More information about how we run the course, and how you can best make use of the materials and learning activities on offer, will be given on the UQ Extendﾠplatform and at the first workshop.

Prior to the start of classes you should:

• Obtain a copy of the primary textbook for the course: Physics for Scientists and Engineers, A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics, 5th Ed., by Randall D. Knight. (Earlier editions are OK - you will be given free etext access via Blackboard too.)
• Go to the UQ Extend home page, via the link on Blackboard. UQ Extendﾠis the platform that will host the online materials. If you have not used UQ Extendﾠfor a prior course, you will be asked to create an account.
• Do the first week's readings. The readings required for each class are listed on the UQ Extend site.

In the School of Mathematics and Physics we are committed to creating an inclusive and empowering learning environment for all students. We value and respect the diverse range of experiences our students bring to their education, and we believe that this diversity is crucial for fostering a rich culture of knowledge sharing and meaningful exploration. We hold both students and staff accountable for actively contributing to the establishment of a respectful and supportive learning environment.

Bullying, harassment, and discrimination in any form are strictly against our principles and against UQ Policy, and will not be tolerated. We have developed a suite of resources to assist you in recognising, reporting, and addressing such behaviour. If you have any concerns about your experience in this course, we encourage you to tell a member of the course teaching team, or alternatively contact an SMP Classroom Inclusivity Champion (see Blackboard for contact details). Our Inclusivity Champions are here to listen, to understand your concerns, and to explore potential actions that can be taken to resolve them. Your well-being and a positive learning atmosphere are of utmost importance to us.

Course requirements

Assumed background

Secondary school years 11 and 12 physics and mathematics with calculus; preferably including Specialist Mathematics.

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

MATH1050 or a grade of C or higher in Queensland Year 12 Specialist Mathematics (Units 3 & 4) (or equivalent); and PHYS1171 or a grade of C or higher in Queensland Year 12 Physics (Units 3 & 4) (or equivalent).

Recommended prerequisites

We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:

PHYS1001

Recommended companion or co-requisite courses

We recommend completing the following courses at the same time:

(MATH1051 or MATH1071) and (MATH1052 or MATH1072)

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

Applied classes will begin in week 2.

Practicals will begin in week 3 or 4, depending on your enrolment. There are five throughout the semester.

All classes will be conducted on campus – consult your personal timetable for times and locations. Students are expected to attend these sessions in person unless they have a validﾠreason for being unable to attend (such as illness). Important: if you are ill, then do not attend any classes in person. Alternative arrangements can be organised – consult Blackboard for details.

There will be no learning activities on public holidays. If your applied class is scheduled on a public holiday, then please attend an applied class on another day for that week.

Aims and outcomes

On completing this course students will:

• understand central concepts in electricity, electromagnetism, and modern physics.
• be able to solve a range of numerical problems involving these concepts.
• be capable of linking the underlying theory to everyday phenomena and scientific or engineering applications
• be able to use their problem-solving skills in other scientific and engineering areas.
• develop skills in experimental work, report writing, and using uncertainty analysis in processing experimental data.

Assessment

Assessment summary

A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.

Assessment details

Reading quizzes - formative assessment

• Online

Mode

Written

Category

Quiz, Reflection

Weight

5%

Due date

28/07/2025 - 31/10/2025

Each quiz is due 5pm the day before the corresponding workshop.

Other conditions

Longitudinal.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

Submission guidelines

Submitted online via Blackboard

Deferral or extension

You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.

Extensions for this activity are not possible as students need to complete the activity before the workshop. This is why you only need to complete 16/22 for full marks - so that you can miss some.

Late submission

You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.

There are 22 workshops during semester. You only have to complete 16 of the quizzes (i.e. approximately 75% of them) to get full marks for this assessment item. Therefore there are no late submissions or extensions for illness.

MasteringPhysics Problems

• Online

Mode

Written

Category

Tutorial/ Problem Set

Weight

15%

Due date

31/10/2025 2:00 pm

Other conditions

Longitudinal.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

Submission guidelines

From Blackboard access the link for "MasteringPhysics" from Pearson. There you will find the questions for each topic and you answer them online. You can do these at your own pace throughout the semester.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 1 grade for each 24 hour period from time submission is due will apply for up to 7 days. After 7 days you will receive a mark of 0.

You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item then the listed penalty will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point any submission will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each 24-hour block is recorded from the time the submission is due.

Practical worksheets and assessment

• Hurdle

Mode

Written

Category

Notebook/ Logbook, Quiz, Reflection, Tutorial/ Problem Set

Weight

10%

Due date

The pre-practical work must be completed before the practical session, and checked off at the start.

All remaining practical checkpoints must be checked off before the end of your practical session.

The practical assessment, along with your completed practical worksheet, must be submitted within one week of the start of the practical session you attended.

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Submission guidelines

The checkpoints will be marked in your practical session.

Your completed practical worksheet and practical assessment will be submitted via the link on Blackboard. You cannot submit practical assessment if you have not attained all the practical checkpoints.

Deferral or extension

You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.

The checkpoints must be completed prior to, or in the practical session that you attend.

If you fail to complete a practical or miss one through illness, you will be given the opportunity to catch up in another session in the current practical cycle, or in week 13 of semester. However, you cannot miss practical 3, as you need to write a report on this experiment. If you do miss this in the regular cycle, you will be provided with a catch-up at the earliest possible opportunity. However, students must be proactive in arranging this.

The last week of semester will provide an opportunity for catch-up sessions for anyone that will otherwise not pass the practical hurdle for the course.

Standard extensions are available for the submission of post-practical assessment.

Late submission

A penalty of 1 grade for each 24 hour period from time submission is due will apply for up to 7 days. After 7 days you will receive a mark of 0.

You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item then the listed penalty will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point any submission will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each 24-hour block is recorded from the time the submission is due.

Laboratory report

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation

Weight

20%

Due date

24/10/2025 2:00 pm

Task description

Submission guidelines

Your laboratory report will be prepared as a pdf document and will be submitted via the link on Blackboard.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

Late submission

A penalty of 1 grade for each 24 hour period from time submission is due will apply for up to 7 days. After 7 days you will receive a mark of 0.

You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item then the listed penalty will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point any submission will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each 24-hour block is recorded from the time the submission is due.

Final examination

• Hurdle
• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

50%

Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025

Other conditions

Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

See ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT INFORMATION for extension and deferred examination information relating to this assessment item.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Additional course grading information

For each category of assessment a fractional grade will be calculated using grades from each assigned task. ﾠThese fractional grades will be combined in aﾠweighted average to determine your overall grade for the course, subject to the hurdle requirements below.ﾠ

Hurdle Requirements:

To obtain a grade of 4 or higher, students must meet ALL of the following requirements:

• An average grade of 3.0 or higher in the final exam.
• An average grade of 3.5 or higher in the practical worksheets and assessment.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is not available for some items in this course.

Should you fail a course with a grade of 3 you may be eligible for supplementary assessment. Refer to my.UQ for information on supplementary assessment and how to apply.

Supplementary assessment provides an additional opportunity to demonstrate you have achieved all the required learning outcomes for a course.

If you apply and are granted supplementary assessment, the type of supplementary assessment set will consider which learning outcome(s) have not been met.

Supplementary assessment in this course will be a 2-hour examination similar in style to the end- of-semester examination. To receive a passing grade of 3S4, you must obtain a mark of 3.5 or more on the supplementary assessment.

Supplementary assessment is not available if you do not meet the hurdle for the practical worksheets and assessment. The learning objects of the practical components are demonstrated throughout the semester and it is not possible to validly reassess these learning objectives in the supplementary assessment period.

Additional assessment information

Artificial Intelligence

To pass this course, students will be required to demonstrate a detailed understanding of course material together with a range of associated skills independent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) tools.

For assessment tasks that are completed in-person (including examinations) termed “secure assessment”, the use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted unless otherwise advised. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Other non-secure assessment tasks (such as assignments) are designed to help you develop your understanding and skills, and to prepare you for secure assessment. You are thus generally encouraged to complete such assessment without the use of AI/MT, unless explicitly advised to the contrary in the assessment item. In any event, if you choose to use such tools, then you must clearly reference any such use within your submitted work. A failure to reference AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Applications for Extensions to Assessment Due Dates

Extension requests are submitted online via my.UQ – applying for an extension. Extension requests received in any other way will not be approved. Additional details associated with extension requests, including acceptable and unacceptable reasons, may be found at my.UQ.

Please note:

• Requests for an extension to an assessment due date must be submitted through your my.UQ portal and you must provide documentation of your circumstances, as soon as it becomes evident that an extension is needed. Your application must be submitted on or before the assessment item's due date and time.
• Applications for extension can take time to be processed so you should continue to work on your assessment item while awaiting a decision. We recommend that you submit any completed work by the due date, and this will be marked if your application is not approved. Should your application be approved, then you will be able to resubmit by the agreed revised due date.
• If an extension is approved, you will be notified via your my.UQ portal and the new date and time for submission provided. It is important that you check the revised date as it may differ from the date that you requested.
• If the basis of the application is a medical condition, applications should be accompanied by a medical certificate dated prior to the assignment due date. If you are unable to provide documentation to support your application by the due date and time you must still submit your application on time and attach a written statement (Word document) outlining why you cannot provide the documentation. You must then upload the documentation to the portal within 24 hours.
• If an extension is being sought on the basis of exceptional circumstances, it must be accompanied by supporting documentation (eg. Statutory declaration).
• For extensions based on a SAP you may be granted a maximum of 7 days (if no earlier maximum date applies). See the Extension or Deferral availability section of each assessment for details. Your SAP is all that is required as documentation to support your application. However, additional extension requests for the assessment item will require the submission of additional supporting documentation e.g., a medical certificate. All extension requests must be received by the assessment due date and time.
• Students may be asked to submit evidence of work completed to date. Lack of adequate progress on your assessment item may result in an extension being denied.
• If you have been ill or unable to attend class for more than 14 days, you are advised to carefully consider whether you are capable of successfully completing your courses this semester. You might be eligible to withdraw without academic penalty - seek advice from the Faculty that administers your program.
• There are no provisions for exemption from an assessment item within UQ rules. If you are unable to submit an assessment piece then, under special circumstances, you may be granted an exemption, but may be required to submit alternative assessment to ensure all learning outcomes are met.

Applications to defer an exam

In certain circumstances you can apply to take a deferred examination for in-semester and end-of-semester exams. You'll need to demonstrate through supporting documentation how unavoidable circumstances prevented you from sitting your exam. If you can’t, you can apply for a one-off discretionary deferred exam.

Deferred Exam requests are submitted online via mySi-net. Requests received in any other way will not be approved. Additional details associated with deferred examinations, including acceptable and unacceptable reasons may be found at my.UQ.

Please note:

• Applications can be submitted no later than 5 calendar days after the date of the original exam.
• There are no provisions to defer a deferred exam. You need to be available to sit your deferred examination.
• Your deferred examination request(s) must have a status of "submitted" in mySI-net to be assessed.
• All applications for deferred in-semester examinations are assessed by the relevant school. Applications for deferred end-of-semester examinations are assessed by the Academic Services Division.
• You’ll receive an email to your student email account when the status of your application is updated.
• If you have a medical condition, mental health condition or disability and require alternative arrangements for your deferred exam you’ll need to complete the online alternative exam arrangements through my.UQ. This is in addition to your deferred examinations request. You need to submit this request on the same day as your request for a deferred exam or supplementary assessment. Contact Student Services if you need assistance completing your alternative exam arrangements request.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

Pearson eText

Your Mastering Physics account comes with an e-copy of the 5th edition of your textbook.ﾠ You can access this e-text either online when you are logged on to the Mastering Physics platform, or offline if you download via the Pearson+ app on your mobile device. The 4th edition is very similar to the 5th edition, so you can buy a second hand 4th edition if you like (but some of the chapters are in a different order).ﾠ

Extra Help

The Physics Learning Centre (room 208 in the passageway between Parnell and the Physics Annexe) will be open 12:30 – 1:30pm Mon-Thurs, from Week 2 of semester onwards. You can drop into the P.L.C. any time during its opening hours to get assistance.

Other Useful Referencesﾠ

No textbook is perfect. If you have problems in understanding sections of Knight, or you want additional information, the books listed below are a good starting point. (Not in order of preference.)ﾠSome are in the library.

• P. A. Tipler: Physics for Scientists and Engineers (this was used for this course until 2007).
• R. T.ﾠ Weidner & R. L. Sells, Elementary Classical Physics.
• R. A. Serway and others, Physics for Scientists and Engineers.
• F. W. Sears, M. W. Zemansky & H. D. Young, University Physics.
• H. C. Ohanian, Physics,.
• D. Halliday, R. Resnick, and J. Walker, Fundamentals of Physics.
• K. Cummings, P. W. Laws, E. F. Redish and P. J. Cooney Understanding Physics.
• D. C. Giancoli, Physics for Scientists and Engineers.
• M. Alonso and E. Finn, Physics.
• R. P. Feynman, Feynman Lectures on Physics (relevant volume).

Good books for learning the mathematics involved are:

• J Stewart, Calculus.
• M.L. Boas, Mathematical methods in the physical sciences.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.

You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course:

• Occupational Health and Safety in the Laboratory Guideline