The Junior Physics units of study are designed to give students from all backgrounds a stimulating introduction to the discipline of physics. They are equally valuable as a self-contained introductory study of physics for students who are intending to major in other disciplines, and as a solid foundation for further study, possibly leading to a major in physics.
The is Associate Professor Joe Khachan.
The Deputy Junior Physics Director is Associate Professor Serdar Kuyucak.
For general enquiries, contact , Room 210, ground floor, Physics Building or phone +61 2 9351 3037.
There are seven different semester length units of study in Physics offered at the Junior level. The Semester 1 units of study are designed to cater for students with different physics backgrounds.The Semester 2 units of study are distinguished not by students' background but on the basis of areas of interest and relevance to their intended degree path. In addition there is Astronomy and four Computational Science units and other units for students from other faculties.
See How to choose your options for guidance on selecting units.
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Physics textbooks for 2012
The Physics textbook for PHYS 1001 and 1901 in semester 1, and PHYS 1003 and 1902 in semester 2, will be University Physics by Young and Freedman (13th edition).
The Physics textbook for PHYS 1002 in semester 1 and PHYS 1004 in semester 2 will be College Physics 2nd edition by Knight, Jones and Field.
The textbook for PHYS 1500 Astronomy in semester 2 is The Cosmic Perspective 6th edition by Bennett, Donahue, et al.
Swapping Physics textbooks
Some students will need to change their physics text book in moving from their semester 1 physics unit to a new unit in semester 2 - swapping between University Physics by Young and Freedman (13th edition) and College Physics by Knight, Jones and Field. The School of Physics will help you avoid the need to buy a second physics text for the year by facilitating the swapping of books between students in the first two weeks of semester.
Lecture Notes, Assignments and Resources
Material related to each Unit of Study is available to enrolled students through eLearning. Access requires a Unikey Username and Password that is issued with your confirmation of enrolment. Units should appear on your eLearning login in the first week of semester.
Students in all Junior Physics units use MasteringPhysics, with its own username and password. To gain access to this system you need an Access Code. The best way to get this code is with the purchase of a new textbook (it comes shrink-wrapped at no extra cost). Other options are listed in the unit of study outlines for your course.
Students in all PHYS 1500 Astronomy use MasteringAstronomy, with similar access requirements to MasteringPhysics
Laboratory Manuals for all Junior Physics units should be available from the Co-op Bookshop by the first week of semester. You will need the appropriate Laboratory Manual for your first lab session in the second week of semester.
Help with Physics — Duty Tutors
Duty tutors are available to help you with problems with physics course material. They will be available from week 3 of semester, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 1pm to 2pm in Physics Lecture Theatre 4 (Level 1, western end of the Physics Building).
More details of all aspects of Junior Physics can be found in the Junior Physics Handbook, which can be downloaded here in PDF format, or is available from Physics Student Services, Room 210, ground floor, Physics Building.
Special Consideration
If your academic performance in a Science Faculty unit of study is adversely affected by events or circumstances, you should complete an Application for Special Consideration or an Application for Special Arrangements, with accompanying documentation. These two forms of Consideration should cover most allowable circumstances. However, if you have another reason for requiring the School of Physics to take account of your circumstances, you should notify Physics Student Services (Room 202, Physics building) immediately.
You should not submit an application of any type if
* there is no assessment associated with a missed class, or
* you have a reasonable opportunity to make up any work you missed.
See Consideration of factors affecting your study or your Unit Outlines for further details.