Physics Electives

This elective is intended for everyone interested in Astronomy. No specialised background is required for entry, just interest and enthusiasm. This unit complements Planetary Science 101.

Astronomy has its roots in ancient history but it is a field in which exciting and sometimes bewildering discoveries are being made daily. In this unit, we will discuss many of these interesting discoveries, as well as provide some practical knowledge of telescopes and prominent features of the Southern skies. Binoculars and 15cm Zeiss and Meade reflecting telescopes will be used to view the night sky.

Syllabus

Topics covered include: •  The structure and evolution of the universe
•  Telescopes, stellar distances & spectra
•  Evolution of stars
•  Nebulae, red giants, white dwarfs, supernovae, neutron stars & black holes
•  Galaxies, cosmology & the Big Bang
•  The search for life in the universe (SETI)
•  The recent discoveries of new planets around nearby stars
Class time – Two hours per week plus viewing evenings during the semester and a visit to the Bickley Observatory.
Assessment – Two written assignments and a final in-class test.

This is an elective designed to cater for students with an interest in pleasure and commercial vessels. The aim of the unit is to introduce the students to the physical principles governing small craft performance and the mathematical methods used in the design process. Technical and educational resources and software allow students to further develop their understanding and skills on a professional or personal level.

Syllabus

Topics covered include:
•  Background mechanics and mathematics
•  Statics and stability
•  Construction types
•  Structural design
•  Resistance – measurement, prediction, reduction
•  Powering – propellers & drives
•  Foils – rudders, keels & sails
•  Sailing rig design and balance
Class time – Two hours per week of a mixture of lectures and practical design tasks. Computer applications are demonstrated.
Assessment – Assessment consists of assignments (20%), a work based project (20%) and final test (20%)

This unit considers the physical properties of a wide range of materials and relates these to structure and applications.
In this unit there are laboratory sessions which are essentially 'hands on' examinations of materials. These include measurement of selected properties, comparisons of different materials and of different grades of the same materials, and heat treatments of materials.

Syllabus

Topics covered include:
•  Types of plastics & their uses
•  Electrical and thermal properties
•  Flammability
•  Mechanical properties
•  Optical properties
•  Production methods & techniques
•  Additives
•  Fibre reinforced plastics – resins & fibres.
•  Foams – types, properties & usage
•  Rubbers – comparison & properties
Class time – Two hours per week.
Assessment – Assignments and laboratory write-ups during semester plus an end of semester exam.

This unit will give you a greater understanding of the planet on which we live. No specialised background is required.

Our understanding of the earth has increased tremendously in the last two decades. New and improved techniques are available for probing the earth's atmosphere and oceans, its interior, and for tracing its history and evolution. Space missions have also provided valuable complementary information.

Syllabus

Topics covered include:
•  Solar system structure & formation
•  Formation of the earth – Internal structure, chemical composition & magnetic field
•  Paleomagnetism, plate tectonics, gravity & the shape of the earth
•  Seismology
•  The oceans, their origin & circulation
•  The atmosphere – formation, energy balance & the effect of humans
•  Ozone levels, atmospheric ionisation & communications Class time – Two hours per week.
Assessment – Written assignments.

This unit examines the available information on our solar system. There is no specialised background required and the unit complements Astronomy 101.

The last three decades have seen a tremendous resurgence of interest in our solar system triggered principally by space exploration missions such as Apollo, Viking and Voyager, which have captured the imagination of the scientific community and public. Each mission has provided a wealth of new information and vastly increased our knowledge of the planets, their satellites and interplanetary space. Recently new planets have been discovered orbiting nearby stars.

Syllabus

Topics covered include:
•  The formation of the solar system
•  Meteorites, comets & asteroids
•  The moon & the Apollo missions
•  Unmanned missions – Mariner, Viking & Voyager
•  Uses of telescopes
•  Basic Astrophotography Class time – Two hours per week plus one field trip conducted during semester to observe the planets.
Assessment – Three written assignments.

This unit is designed to acquaint students in any course with photographic principles and techniques. You will develop skills in basic photography using both film and digital cameras. These skills can then be applied to the practical requirements of students in their courses. You do not need to have your own camera as all resources are supplied (some cost recovery is required for consumables).

Syllabus

Topics covered include:
•  Cameras in general
•  SLR cameras – their accessories and functions
•  Different types of film & their uses
•  Special characteristics of technical photographic products
•  White light spectrum and filtration
•  Photomicrographic (including SEM) & macrophotographic techniques
•  Marine photography
•  Quality control in darkroom development & printing •  Editing photographs using software such as Adobe Photoshop Class time – Two hours laboratory & photographic editing work, plus one-hour lecture per week. Students are encouraged to independently carry out other exercises of interest.
Assessment – Folio prepared from laboratory, general pictorial and editing work, worth 50%. Written exam worth 50%.

This unit will help you learn to interpret the weather signs you see and to recognise their wider significance. Matters of broad environmental significance are included and you will gain a deeper understanding of how the official forecast is derived.

Occupations that may benefit from knowledge gained in this unit include: teachers, pilots, engineers, surveyors, sailors and yachtsmen, farmers and anyone who works or plays outdoors. Available externally in both semesters.

Syllabus

Topics covered include:
•  Overview of global climatology
•  Cloud formation, recognition & interpretation
•  Large scale motions of the atmosphere & associated weather patterns
•  Frontal systems & storm development
•  Climate changes
•  Tropical cyclones
•  Weather satellites
•  Atmospheric pollution
•  Local weather phenomena Class time – Two hours per week.
Assessment – Two assignments and a weather observation project.