Physics of Modern Technology (PHYS3830)

Course overview

This course integrates concepts and skills from the core physics major courses and demonstrates their application to contemporary technology and industry. Students will master advanced experimental skills that are difficult to develop in the limited laboratory components of other physics courses, with a particular emphasis on common skills required in industry. It is strongly recommended for students wishing to pursue research opportunities for experimental physics in science or in industry.

This course is for students who are interested in application of basic physics knowledge in modern technology mostly for advanced diagnostics and characterisation, imaging and fabrication, and others. You will get wide experience which includes Electron Microscopy and other methods of ultrahigh resolution imaging, Raman Spectroscopy and high-resolution Diode Laser Spectroscopy, devices exploiting Superconductivity Effect, Microfabrication Methods such as Photolithography etc. You well also get familiar with software such as LabView and relevant hardware used in computer-controlled experiments. The course is mostly experimental. Therefore, students will attend labs for two afternoons each week. However, short theoretical classes (approximately one hour per week) are also included.ﾠﾠﾠNo textbooks are required for this course. References to the theoretical material will be provided.ﾠ

Learning activities are organized in four Modules and each Module will continue for 3 weeks.

Module 1: Microfabrication and Advanced Imaging

Module 2: Advanced Spectroscopy

Module 3: Computer Control and Electronics

Module 4: Quantum Technology

Course requirements

Assumed background

Assumed background includes the material covered by compulsory courses of physics major programﾠ and the relevant mathematical background.ﾠ

Prerequisites

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

Two of PHYS2041, PHYS2055, PHYS2020

Recommended companion or co-requisite courses

We recommend completing the following courses at the same time:

PHYS3040

Course staff

Timetable

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

Additional timetable information

All classes will be conducted on campus.

Changes will be advised on Blackboard should the campus be closed for any reason. Important: if you are ill, then do not attend any classes in person. Alternative arrangements can be organised if required but let the course coordinator know ASAP.

Aims and outcomes

The course aims to prepare students to work in a research or industrial laboratory according to world best professional standards.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment details

Module: Advanced Spectroscopy

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation

Weight

25%

Due date

Report for a Module is due every 3 weeks. The order of Modules varies for each student.

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

Submission guidelines

Report should be submitted electronically (as a PDF file) through the link in Blackboard.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

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

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due 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.

Module: Computer Control and Electronics

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation

Weight

25%

Due date

Report for a Module is due every 3 weeks. The order of Modules varies for each student.

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L05

Task description

Submission guidelines

Report should be submitted electronically (as a PDF file) through the link in Blackboard.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

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

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due 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.

Module: Quantum Technology

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation

Weight

25%

Due date

Report for a Module is due every 3 weeks. The order of Modules varies for each student.

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

Submission guidelines

Report should be submitted electronically (as a PDF file) through the link in Blackboard.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

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

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due 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.

Module: Microfabrication and Advanced Imaging

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation

Weight

25%

Due date

Report for a Module is due every 3 weeks. The order of Modules varies for each student.

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

Submission guidelines

Report should be submitted electronically (as a PDF file) through the link in Blackboard.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

The limitation for the extension (writing a report) is one week. However, under special circumstances it can be extended into the examination period. See ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT INFORMATION for the extension and deferred examination information relating to this assessment item.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due 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.

Course grading

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

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is not available for this course.

This course is fully exempt for supplementary assessment. The learning objectives of the course are demonstrated over multiple laboratory sessions and written reports, and students are given opportunities to meet the required standards during the semester. It is not possible to validly reassess the learning objectives of the course in the supplementary examination period.

Additional assessment information

Artificial Intelligence

The assessment tasks in this course evaluate students’ abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute 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

Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.

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 - Students Policy and Procedure

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