PHS3302 Relativity and particle physics
Faculty of Science
PHS3302 Relativity and particle physics is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2023 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2023
- Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 50%
- and 2 other tasks
This is the 2023 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Overview
This unit explores topics in particle physics:
Enabling physics: relativistic kinematics, symmetries.
Foundations: a century of discoveries, leptons and weak interactions, neutrino oscillations, quarks and hadrons, the role of conservation laws, symmetries of space and time, and the Dirac equation.
Elementary Particle Physics: experimental methods used in contemporary subatomic physics, the Standard Model of particle physics, quantum chromodynamics, jets and gluons, a unified description of electromagnetic and weak forces, quark mixing, W and Z bosons, the Higgs mechanism, and connections to cosmology and physics beyond the Standard Model.
Offerings in 2023
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Particle physics assignments40%
- In-Semester quizzes10%
- Examination (3 hours and 10 minutes)50%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Describe and perform calculations associated with fundamental concepts in particle physics.
- 2
Apply numerical modelling to solve problems in particle physics.
- 3
Demonstrate awareness of scientific computing methods and visualization.
- 4
Demonstrate an ability to work in teams and to communicate and discuss physics concepts.
- 5
Find solutions to new problems in particle physics on the basis of general principles, and evaluate the appropriateness of their proposed models or solutions.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops48 hours
- Applied sessions12 hours
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachOnline learning
The workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours spread across the semester (approximately 12 hours per week) - approximately an even mixture of attendance at scheduled activities and self-scheduled study time. Learning activities comprise a mixture of instructor directed, peer-directed and self-directed learning, which includes face-to-face and online engagement.
Student-led collaborative problem solving during workshops. Discussions of conceptual points in groups followed by working on actual problems to solve. Each problem is typically fairly short and highlights a specific point in the covered material.
Assignment problems providing longer, more in-depth problems.
Computer lab problems, typically based on Mathematica and/or Python.
Pre-workshop quizzes delivered and assessed via Moodle.
In-class quizzes typically delivered as immediate-feedback scratch cards, which are handed in after class.
Lecture-style expositions of the assigned reading delivered as whiteboard/lightboard, and/or video recordings.
Learning resources
Required resources
Modern Particle Physics, by Mark Thomson
Recommended resources
Particle Physics, by Martin and Shaw (4th ed, 2017).
Introduction to Elementary Particles, by David Griffiths (2nd Ed, 2008).
Technology resources
Students will be contacted with important information by email via the unit Moodle site. Assignments and pre-lecture quizzes are handed in via Moodle. You are expected to confirm your in-semester assessment marks before the end of the examination period by viewing the Grader report for the unit.
Where it fits
PHS3302 is part of 3 areas of study in the 2023 handbook.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Professor Peter Skands
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Alexis Bishop
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for PHS3302?
PHS3302 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is PHS3302 offered?
In 2023, PHS3302 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.
Does PHS3302 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 50% of the final mark, alongside 2 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include PHS3302?
PHS3302 is part of Astrophysics and Physics.