Found 236 study abroad units
PQB360 Introduction to Climate Change
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
This unit is designed to offer science, engineering and other students an opportunity to understand fundamentals of climate and climate change together with sustainable development efforts related to clean energy technologies. It provides students with an overview of global climate and climate change drivers, meteorological parameters and global air circulation, as well as an overview of technological pathways towards low carbon society. Students will explore global energy balance and climate change through an investigation of (i) Energy related environmental problems on local and global scale; (ii) Earth's climate, meteorology and transport of pollutants in the atmosphere; (iii) Working principles in selected conventional and alternative energy technologies to reduce energy related environmental consequences.
PVB101 Physics of the Very Large
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Chemistry and Physics
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
Unit synopsis
The fundamental concepts of physics seek to describe, predict and explain phenomena at all scales from the observable universe down to subatomic particles. They underpin all the sciences. This unit introduces you to those underlying physical processes that relate to the behaviour of the macroscopic world we observe in our daily lives: motion, forces, energy, gravity –and not so familiar- special relativity, and see how they help us to also understand thermal interactions, fluid dynamics, global warming, optical instruments, space travel, the motions of the planets and to theorise about the nature, history and future of the universe itself. You will learn how to think about scientific concepts, and solve problems like a physicist. These theoretical concepts are grounded in experimental verification, and you will develop technical and reporting skills in laboratory experiments which investigate the relationships between measurable physical phenomena both individually and in teams.
PVB105 Foundations of Physics
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Chemistry and Physics
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
The fundamental concepts of physics seek to describe, predict and explain phenomena at all scales from the observable universe down to subatomic particles. They underpin all the sciences. This unit introduces you to those underlying physical processes that relate to the behaviour of the world: motion, forces, energy, gravity, electricity, and special relativity, and see how they help us to also understand thermal interactions, fluid dynamics, global warming, electric and magnetic fields, electrical currents, optical instruments, space travel, the motions of the planets and to theorise about the nature, history and future of the universe itself. You will learn how to think about scientific concepts, and solve problems like a physicist. These concepts are grounded in experimental verification, and you will develop technical and reporting skills in laboratory experiments which investigate the relationships between measurable physical phenomena both individually and in teams.
PVB200 Computational and Mathematical Physics
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Chemistry and Physics
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
This is a foundational physics unit designing to provide strong mathematical knowledge and skills required by a physicist and demonstrate the application of computational methods to solve problems in physics. It builds on prior maths study in Maths C or equivalent and teaches tactics in MATLAB programming, numerical methods and the implementation. The strong computational skills are important attributes of any physicist, whether working in research or industry, experimental or theoretical. This is an introductory unit and the knowledge and skills developed in this unit are relevant to physics, chemistry or some engineering majors. PVB302 Classical and Quantum Physics needs the mathematical knowledge and computational skills from this unit to understand the complex quantum world.
Approval required
You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.
PVB202 Mathematical Methods in Physics
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Chemistry and Physics
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
Strong mathematical skills are important attributes of any physicist, whether working in research or industry, experimental or theoretical. This unit is designed to provide the key mathematical methods to solve physical problems. It builds on MXB100 and first year.
Approval required
You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.
PVB203 Experimental Physics
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Chemistry and Physics
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
This unit aims to develop your skills in experimental methods, from the design and execution of your work to data treatment, fitting, and statistical analysis of errors.It provides you with an opportunity to build, practice and provide evidence of your analysis and problem-solving skills for physics, as well as to build your scientific report writing skills and presentation of results. It also provides you with a working knowledge of instrument design and the principles of circuit theory and electronics that underlie instrumentation. This unit is in the developmental stage of your course and builds on the work of previous experimental units. This unit also links to further self-managed experimental and project work in your final year.
Approval required
You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.
PVB204 Electromagnetism
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
Electromagnetism is one of the fundamental forces in the universe and is present in almost all aspects of modern technology. In this unit you will develop theoretical knowledge and understanding of electromagnetism from electric charge to more advanced topics such as electrostatics, Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves and applications such as waveguides. It will extend your mathematical knowledge and techniques from earlier units to explore and analyse these advanced physics concepts.
Approval required
You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.
PVB205 Classical Mechanics
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Chemistry and Physics
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
The first part of this unit focuses on vector calculus, complex functions and Fourier series, which is designed to provide strong mathematical knowledge and skills required by a physicist, to be used in this and advanced physics courses such as fluid dynamics, electromagnetism and quantum physics. The second part of this unit applies the mathematical tools acquired in the first part to 3D Newton mechanics, and reformulate classical Newtonian mechanics into mathematically sophisticated frameworks, i.e., Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics under arbitrary coordinate systems. These tools will be used to analyze real world effects, starting from First Nations Australian's experience in mechanics, through to descriptions of weather, planetary motion and more. The Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulation derived from the principle of least action using the calculus of variations generalises elegantly to modern quantum mechanics.
Approval required
You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.
PVB206 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Chemistry and Physics
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
Thermodynamics is an important aspect of science, which provides an explanation to many everyday life phenomena, from the boiling of the water to the transformation of heat into work and vice-versa, up to the reasons behind the global warming and the melting of polar ice. The aim of this unit is to introduce you to the physical principles of Thermodynamics, describing the behaviour of fluids at different temperatures and pressures on a mathematical basis, by studying the dynamics and statistical distribution of atoms and molecules at microscopic level. The analysis of engines, refrigerators, heat pumps and air conditioners, will lead to the principles of sustainability, including analysis of entropy and energy balance on our planet.
PVB207 Quantum Physics
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Chemistry and Physics
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
This course provides an introduction to the principles of quantum physics, exploring the fundamental principles that govern the behavior of matter and energy at the microscopic level. Topics covered include wave-particle duality, black body radiation, quantization of energy, uncertainty principle, and Schrödinger equation. By using a theory - practice approach you will explore these new concepts and learn how to apply these principles to understand the behavior of electrons and the properties of quantum systems. The course will also cover the historical development of quantum physics, including the contributions of prominent scientists such as Max Planck and Albert Einstein, and its applications in modern technology and research.
Approval required
You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.
PVB210 Stellar Astrophysics
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Chemistry and Physics
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
Astrophysics is the application of physics and chemistry to investigate the origin and evolution of galaxies, stars, planets, nebulae and other astronomical objects in the universe. Topics presented in this unit include Indigenous astronomy, orbital mechanics, telescopes, our solar system, the planets, star formation, stellar evolution, stellar remnants, and exoplanets.
PVB220 Cosmology
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Chemistry and Physics
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
Cosmology is the study of the origin and evolution of the universe, from the Big Bang to the present. Topics presented include special and general relativity, the physics and geometry of space-time, inflationary cosmology, cosmic microwave background, dark energy and dark matter, supermassive black holes, gravitational waves, and the status of Australian cosmology surveys.
PVB301 Materials and Thermal Physics
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Chemistry and Physics
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
The aim of this unit is to introduce you to the physical principles that describe the behaviour of solids and fluids at both the macroscopic level and at the atomic level. This is an advanced unit that builds upon conceptual physical and mathematical principles of earlier units. Through lectures, practical classes and simulations the unit will provide you with strong foundation in thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. You will gain knowledge in the fast growing area of solid state physics and learn some of the techniques used to study new materials. The development of new materials is pivotal for the technology advancements of our society, with outcomes in every aspect of human life, spanning from reducing our environmental impact, to improving communication and computing, to achieving a better healthcare.
Approval required
You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.
PVB302 Classical and Quantum Physics
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Chemistry and Physics
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
Build on your prior learning in analytical mathematical approaches to solve problems in classical mechanics. Extend your understanding of classical mechanics through comparison of the Newtonian, Lagrangian and Hamilton’s methods and their connection to quantum theory. Historical development of quantum theory will be traced, introducing key concepts such as wave-particle duality, its connection to the theory’s probabilistic nature and the uncertainty principle. This understanding of quantum concepts will be applied in terms of modern wave mechanics via solutions to the Schrodinger equation to explain a range of observed electronic behaviours such as quantum tunneling which is the operating mechanism of many semiconductor devices prevalent in technology today. The quantum approaches developed will also be applied to determine the appropriate description and arrangement of electrons bound to atoms and to explain the features of their emission and absorption spectra.
Approval required
You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.
PVB303 Nuclear and Particle Physics
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Chemistry and Physics
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
This unit explores the microscopic universe from the nucleus down to the fundamental particles and forces from which matter is built. It will examine the development and the modern state of models of the nucleus, drawing on Quantum Mechanics (PVB302) to explain the stability and the properties of nuclei. Some of the current theories of particle physics and nuclear forces will be introduced. The second part of the unit will explore applications of nuclear physics, e.g. nuclear reactions, nuclear power and nuclear medicine. Lectures will be complemented by experimental laboratory work, enabling you to advance your experimental, communication and scientific writing skills.
Approval required
You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.
PVB304 Physics Research
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Chemistry and Physics
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
This is the capstone unit for the Physics course, which gives you the opportunity to engage in real-world physics research. Students will undertake a project in which they explore computational and/or experimental approaches to generating new understanding in active research areas, and summarize their findings through scholarly writing and presentations. This unit provides students with the chance to develop their skills around gathering data, interpreting data, assessing uncertainties and presenting results in a clear and compelling way, helping them to develop skills that are required in both industry and academic contexts. This unit builds on all the previous learning in the Physics course, and enables students to draw on their developed expertise and to apply it to a well-defined research problem.
Approval required
You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.
PVB322 Advanced Nanotechnology
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Chemistry and Physics
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
This unit deepens the understanding of nanotechnology, which is an emerging field focused on understanding and exploiting the novel chemical and physical properties of matter at the nanometer scale. Nanomaterials offer substantial advantages in many applications due to their small size, which can lead to, for example, improved thermal conduction or insulation or exceptional low electrical resistivity. These properties are relevant to the improved sustainability of electrical devices, buildings, cars, etc. This is an advanced unit and comprises an introduction to the physics and chemistry related to nanoscale science, which will lead to the understanding of nano-objects and nanomaterials, with a bias towards technological applications derived from the fundamental sciences. This unit builds on PVB321, providing extra skills in computation to calculate properties at nanoscale that are relevant to physics, chemistry and engineering.
Approval required
You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.
SEB104 Grand Challenges in Science
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Biology and Environmental Science
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
Grand Challenges in Science explores world events, problems or phenomena from a scientific perspective, discovering the many ways in which science is used and misused by practicing scientists and the public. You will understand the problems and challenges of modern scientific inquiry using a range of multidisciplinary perspectives and explore solutions focussed approaches.
SEB107 Becoming a Contemporary Scientist
Unit information
- School/discipline
- Faculty of Science
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
Unit synopsis
In this unit, you will have the opportunity to explore the concept of contemporary science using solution-focused approaches to understand the problems and challenges of modern scientific inquiry. You will consider how science knowledge and practice from different cultures can provide new insights and perspectives to develop innovative solutions. Importantly you will understand the contributions and integral role of First Nations peoples in the advancement of Australian science and how developing this partnership is critical for scientists in the 21st Century and begin to explore emerging issues regarding Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP).
SEB108 Foundations of Data Analysis and Visualisation
Unit information
- School/discipline
- Faculty of Science
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
Unit synopsis
In science, new understanding grows from our analysis and interpretation of data. This unit will provide you with an opportunity to learn how the scientific method and data are related, and how we can extract meaningful information from data. You will work with a real-world data set to develop your skills in data analysis and visualisation using a relevant coding language while addressing an industry-defined question.
SEB113 Quantitative Methods in Science
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Mathematical Sciences
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
Unit synopsis
SEB113 is a foundational science unit for developing core quantitative skills in mathematics and statistics that underpins all modern scientific practice and covers topics relevant to later science units. Thus this unit serves as a foundation and prerequisite for many subsequent units in the science degree. The applied approach in this unit develops topics through examples in science which are accessible to students from a range of disciplines.
SEB121 Earth in Motion
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
Unit synopsis
In this unit you will learn about the inter-connectivity of Earth and life and how our planet has changed through time, including the recent socio-economic issues around climate, biodiversity and future energy demands.
SEB122 Physics in the Real World
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Chemistry and Physics
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
Unit synopsis
Physics describes the world around us, from the tides in the ocean to the way that objects heat up in the sunshine. Understanding basic physics provides a fundamental foundation for all of the scientific disciplines, and by learning how to think like a physicist you will understand how to approach problems systematically and analytically. This unit will enable you to identify the core physical laws required to describe a variety of real-world processes, with a particular focus on those that are relevant to other scientific disciplines. You will learn about measurement and uncertainty, motion, forces and energy, basic concepts of thermodynamics, electric and magnetic fields, electromagnetic radiation and waves, and the structure of atoms and molecules, incorporating conceptual, mathematical and practical approaches.
SEB123 Life and the Environment: Survival of the Fittest
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Biology and Environmental Science
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
Unit synopsis
This unit introduces you to the study of living things, how the environment shapes their survival and in turn how living things can then shape their environments. You will engage with biological and environmental scientists in workshops and practical activities to investigate how and why organisms have adapted to survive and reproduce in different environments and the positive and negative impacts that this can have (with particular focus on Australia). By undertaking introductory experiments and activities in the field and laboratory you will develop your understanding of scientific methodologies. You will experience how traditional and modern approaches and technologies are complementary for answering important questions and for biologists and environmental scientists to make an impact.
SEB124 Understanding Chemistry
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Chemistry and Physics
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
Unit synopsis
Chemistry, the science of molecules, gives us the tools we need to make sense of the world around us. Chemistry underpins all aspects of the natural and physical world and appears in all science disciplines, including physics, biology, earth and environmental science. Therefore, this subject is designed to develop your understanding of the basic principles of chemistry and an opportunity to explore chemistry in the context of different science disciplines. This unit explores the structure of atoms, how atoms bond to form molecules, and the models chemists use to understand molecular structure, including an understanding of isomers. This knowledge is then applied to understand how chemical bonding and intermolecular forces work together to influence properties of macromolecules and materials. Through the practical aspects of this unit, you will develop professional skills in chemical manipulation, safe and sustainable laboratory practices, data recording and analysis.
SEB304 Science Capstone
Unit information
- School/discipline
- Faculty of Science
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
Unit synopsis
This capstone unit provides you with an opportunity to deepen your discipline understanding by applying your skills and knowledge to a semester-long work integrated learning project. Within your project, you will engage in research, draw on your data analysis skills, and develop innovative approaches to address complex problems. The unit is structured to allow you to develop communication and collaborative skills, and to understand the professional requirements of scientists in the workplace.