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Unit of study_
PHYS2213: Physics 2EE
2025 unit information
This unit of study is designed to build on the knowledge gained in Junior Physics, to provide Electrical Engineering students with the knowledge of relevant topics of Physics at the Intermediate level, and with associated skills. Completion of the unit provides a solid foundation for further studies in Electrical Engineering and related engineering areas. The aims of this unit are linked to the generic attributes required of graduates of the University in knowledge skills, thinking skills, personal skills and attributes, and practical skills. By the end of this unit of study, students will be able to describe and apply concepts in optics, electromagnetism and basic solid state physics and technology at the Intermediate level. They will be able to use computational techniques to analyze optics problems. The modules in this unit of study are: Optics (13 lectures): The wave nature of light, optical phenomena and the interaction of light with matter: interference and diffraction effects; fundamental limits to resolution of optical instruments; polarisation; dispersion; coherence. These are presented within the context of several key optical technologies including lasers, CD/DVD players, optical fibre communication systems, gratings and Mach Zehnder modulation. Electromagnetic Properties of Matter (12 lectures): Electric and magnetic effects in materials; the combination of electric and magnetic fields to produce light and other electromagnetic waves in vacuum and matter. Solid State and Device Physics (13 lectures): Introduction to quantum mechanics, Fermi-Dirac statistics, electronic properties of solids (metal, semiconductors and insulators), doping and the semiconductor PN junction; introduction to nanotechnology; fabrication technologies, nano-imaging technologies, nanoelectronics. Computational Physics (10 sessions of 2 hours each): In a computing laboratory students use Matlab-based simulation software to conduct virtual experiments in optics, which illustrate and extend the relevant lectures. Students also gain experience in the use of computers to solve problems in physics.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Science
| Study level | Undergraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Physics Academic Operations |
| Credit points | 6 |
|
Prerequisites:
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(PHYS1001 or PHYS1901) and (PHYS1003 or PHYS1902) |
|---|---|
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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(((MATH1X21 or MATH1931 or MATH1X01 or MATH1906 or MATH1011) and (MATH1X02)) or (MATH1X61 or MATH1971)) and (((MATH1X23 or MATH1933 or MATH1X03 or MATH1907 or MATH1013) and (MATH1X04 or MATH1X05)) or (MATH1X62 or MATH1972)) |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. understand the key concepts in Electromagnetic Properties of Matter, Optics, and Solid State and Device Physics;
- LO2. apply these concepts to develop models, and to solve qualitative and quantitative problems in scientific and engineering contexts, using appropriate mathematical and computing techniques as necessary
- LO3. understand the nature of scientific measurement and skills in the measurement of physical quantities and the handling of data
- LO4. find and analyse information and judge its reliability and significance
- LO5. communicate scientific information appropriately, both orally and through written work
- LO6. engage in team and group work for scientific investigations and for the process of learning
- LO7. demonstrate a sense of responsibility, ethical behaviour and independence as a learner and as a scientist.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 2 2025
|
Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
