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Unit outline_

PHYS4888: Advanced Physics Project

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Physicists actively apply their knowledge and technical skills to tackle the major challenges of our time. This unit will draw upon your learning in previous years for you to work on a practical project related to the grand challenges identified by the School of Physics, which includes Artificial Intelligence and Physics, Fundamental laws and the Universe, The Nano and Quantum World, A Sustainable Future, Physics and Society, and Physics in Medicine and Biology. This unit is designed to facilitate a collaborative, inquiry-based approach to complex problem solving. You will have the opportunity to plan, design and analyse your own research project within a small group of students. You will work in a team and will be supervised by an academic from the School of Physics. In this unit, you will not only deepen your understanding around specific project-related issues, but also develop skills in professional reflection, collaboration, and complex problem solving skills. All of these skills are highly valued by employers.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Physics Academic Operations
Credit points 12
Prerequisites
? 
144 credit points of units of study including PHYS3X34 and PHYS3X35
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

48 credit points of 3000-level units of study

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Rongkun Zheng, rongkun.zheng@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Rongkun Zheng, rongkun.zheng@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Initial individual reflection
Initial individual reflection
2% Week 03
Due date: 18 Aug 2024 at 23:59
200 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7
Assignment Proposal
Research proposal on your project.
15% Week 05
Due date: 01 Sep 2024 at 23:59
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Presentation Mid-semester group presentation
Mid-semester group presentation on your plan and progress.
15% Week 07
Due date: 15 Sep 2024 at 23:59
15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO2 LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4
Assignment Final report
Final report
45% Week 12
Due date: 27 Oct 2024 at 23:59
5000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Presentation Final Presentation
Final Presentation
20% Week 13
Due date: 03 Nov 2024 at 23:59
Final Presentation on your project.
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3
Assignment Final individual reflection
Final individual reflection
3% Week 13
Due date: 03 Nov 2024 at 23:59
200 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

Assessment summary

15% group written initial proposal

15% mid-semester group Grand Challenge presentation

45% individual final report

20% group final presentation

5% initial and final individual reflective task (weeks 3 and 13)

 

Assessment criteria

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

At HD level, a student demonstrates a flair for the subject and comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates the ability to apply subject knowledge to novel situations.

Distinction

75 - 84

At DI level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a solid knowledge and
understanding of the unit material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply the key ideas of the subject.

Credit

65 - 74

At CR level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit material. A ‘Credit’ reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad understanding of the unit material but has not fully developed the ability to apply the key ideas of the subject.

Pass

50 - 64

At PS level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the unit material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactory achievement and is awarded to a student who has threshold knowledge of the subject.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date: Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date. After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 The students are introduced to the problem to be solved; they are given readings Lecture and tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Mid-semester group presentation Presentation (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 13 Final Presentation Presentation (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Weekly working on your project Project (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 12 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 240-300 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Analyse and articulate problems in order to solve them.
  • LO2. Apply Physics knowledge to solve problems.
  • LO3. Devise an investigation strategy, approach, and plan to solve problems.
  • LO4. Analyse data using modern information technology and digital skills.
  • LO5. Collaborate with diverse groups and across cultural and disciplinary boundaries to develop solutions to problems.
  • LO6. Demonstrate integrity, confidence, personal resilience and the capacity to manage challenges, both individually and in teams.
  • LO7. Communicate (oral and written) project outcomes effectively to a broad audience .

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9
LO1         
LO2         
LO3         
LO4         
LO5         
LO6         
LO7         

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

EQUITY, ACCESS AND DIVERSITY STATEMENT

The School of Physics recognises that biases, bullying and discrimination, including but not limited to those based on gender, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and age, continue to impact parts of our community disproportionately. Consequently, the School is strongly committed to taking effective steps to make our environment supportive and inclusive and one that provides equity of access and opportunity for everyone.

The School has three Equity Officers as a point of contact for students who may have a query or concern about any issues relating to equity, access and diversity. If you feel you have been treated unfairly, discriminated against, bullied or disadvantaged in any way, you are encouraged to talk to one of the Equity Officers or any member of the Physics staff.

More information can be found at https://sydney.edu.au/science/schools/school-of-physics/equity-access-diversity.html

Any student who feels they may need a special accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact Disability
Services: https://sydney.edu.au/study/academic-support/disability-support.html who can help arrange support.

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.