PHYC10003: Physics 1

10 × Assessable Online Homework Tasks, 15%
8 × Labs incl Pre-lab work, 25% (80% Attendance and 50% Overall Result Hurdle Requirement)
3 Hour End of Semester Exam, 60%

I really enjoyed this subject, though there are definitely many who don't. I did VCE Physics in 2016 so my knowledge was probably a little rusty compared to most of my peers. During the semester there were times I felt it'd be easier if my knowledge was fresh, but I think by the end I had caught up through the subject's coursework and it wouldn't have really made a difference. The content extends upon some of the topics taught in VCE, and also introduces some new stuff, particularly rotational motion, friction, special relativity (unless that was your chosen area of study in VCE) and optics.

Major topics were (more info in handbook):
-Mechanics
-Waves and sound
-Optics
-Gravitation
-Special relativity

Follows a pretty standard structure from year to year, so having all those past exams available is very helpful (not that I had time to do most of them...). A formula sheet with most the stuff you need is provided. A major exception to this was the constant accelerations formulae from VCE + a few others - I derived and/or memorised the constant acceleration ones them and wrote them on my exam at the start which worked for me. Therefore, focus more on understanding what everything means and the actual physics definitions and explanations behind things (There are worded questions too). Fortunately not a hurdle which was a relief during the lead up to the exam, but the exams are honestly not too bad; 3 hours was also more than enough time.

Done through WileyPLUS, with access through the LMS (no extra purchases required ). Some easy stuff and some very difficult stuff that was beyond the exam standard. 3 attempts for each question which also helped. I found them to be a good way to help me get my head around the lecture content and keep up to date.

The total mark allocation is slightly complicated, but basically each of the labs is 3.125 marks (25/8). Of this, 20% (I.e. 0.625 marks) is from the pre-lab work. From this, half (0.3125 marks) is given for submitted the pre-lab questions on time (At least 10 min before the lab), and the other 0.3125 marks is from your actual answers. The pre-labs were 2-4 very basic questions, usually multiple choice, on the content of the prac and/or the basic physics theory behind it.

In the actual labs you'd work in groups of 2-3 to complete the experiment, collect results/data and write a report. Definitely read the pages in the handbook on the relevant lab before, but don't stress if you don't understand everything as your demonstrator will talk you through it at the start and show the group how everything works. The handbook also contains an example prac which you can base your report structure on, as well as what to do and key points to note down as you do each particular experiment.

As someone who struggled with the practical report writing side of science in high-school, it got easier as the semester progressed, even though I often felt like I was missing stuff and/or not doing it right. Also, half the marks were basically participation marks (For following safety procedures, working well as a team ect.), so if you turn up and do your best/engaged with it, you'll probably get a decent mark regardless. I thought I completely failed the first lab (I struggled with what to write, barely talked about the physics concepts, and my group got 30 m/s^2 something for Earth's gravity! ) and ended up with 70% for the actual lab work (I.e. Not including the pre-lab stuff), which only improved from there. Prac content didn't always relate to what was currently being taught it lectures, but everything you needed to know is provided in the lab book and is fairly straightforward.

Yes, with screen capture

Dr Philip Urquijo (Week 1-4), Prof Harry Quiney (Week 5-6), Prof Geoff Taylor (Week 7-12)

Such parts were definitely more useful than others... I'd recommended current students to just do what works for them in terms of watching/attending lectures. There were also demonstrations in lectures which could be helpful in aiding/applying your understanding (but not vital), which can't really be visualised by using the lecture capture. I felt the main takeaway would be the formulae, examples and basic definitions and concepts. Quite a lot of content in total, so falling too behind on the content in the slides isn't advisable.

Yes, past 11 years, all with solutions

Basically the same deal as a maths practical/tute. You get into groups and work together on the whiteboards on the handbook questions, while the tutor walks around and helps out. Trying the questions beforehand is recommended, and you'll probably get more out of the class if you do. Basic answers can be found in the handbook, then more in depth solutions are put on the LMS at the end of the week. That being said, I still gained from attending (both when I was up to date and doing the work beforehand, and when I was behind), but I don't think skipping a few hurt me too badly.

4 Out of 5

Prescribed text is Fundamentals of Physics, 11th ed by Halliday & Resnick. Can be easily found online. I used it a little bit at the start of semester and found it helpful, but got too busy to keep up at the end and feel (pre-mark release) I survived without it.
A lab/logbook is necessary to purchase ($8 from a website linked on LMS before the semester started). The handbook is also available to purchase (Also $8), but the entire content of the handbook can be found on the LMS so purchasing a hard copy is not vital.

3 × 1 Hour Lecture per week
1 × 1 Hour Problem Solving Class (Tutorial) per week
8 × 2.5 Hour Labs throughout the semester

Semester 1, 2019

H1 (80)

This subject is definitely not suitable as a subject filler, because it has so much contact hours. If you have done physics in VCE to a good level, you wont need to attend the lectures but just skim through the text book and try to absorb as much information as you can. In my case, i have probably spent less than 20 hours of my time during the semester on this subject, but as i did have prior knowledge i was able to perform good. Remember: Doing past exam will guarantee you a pass! but if you do all of them, and just leave them without going through them again; chances are, you will make many mistakes and wont be awarded any marks. So remember to highlight what you had trouble with in the past exam and memorise their answers or working out.
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He was the lecturer that took the afternoon stream of the remaining half of the semester. I like McCallum's lecture the most, as it did show that he was trying his hardest when teaching special relativity & gravitation & optics. His lectures were the least driest, and also the one that made sense. (Special relativity is hard at first though). No complaints for him because i could feel that i was going to be alright for the remainder of the semester. However, as i was behind from the first half of semester, there was this burden that i felt throughout this semester & course.

He is a young lecturer that took the morning stream of the remaining half of the semester. I personally did not enjoy this stream, partly because it was in the morning, but it was very dry compared to Dr McCallum's lectures. His lectures are also pretty understandable compared to the first half of the semester. He was the only lecturer that seemed to utilise the blackboard, but it is not important. So do not worry if you want to use the lecture capture.

As they provide you with so many past exam papers, you will start to identify patterns in the questions they ask you. Past students have said that the exam will be very similar to the past exams. However, this wasn't the case this year (2018), 70% of the question were in different formats, and actually required you to stop. and think for a while. So make sure you utilise your time during reading time. But don't be afraid, you will be 100% fine if you do all the past exam papers, and memorise some answers (for worded answer questions), and working outs (for complex questions). The reason i was able to do well in this subject is all thanks to these past papers, because without them, i would have failed undoubtedly. If you need any tips, just pm me and i will reply!. But do not rely on this approach if you have not done physics 3/4 in VCE.

Yes, with screen capture, however, when professor uses the black board it is not recorded. Also, some experiments done in class are recorded with a camera.

I personally hated the lecture component in this subject, because it was really hard to get your head around the content they throw at you. You will not have any time to write notes by hand, so a computer is advised. (They talk really fast, and flick through the slides very quick - who likes that?). I have only attended the first few lectures of this subject, as it did not help my learning. Just read the textbook chapter they prescribe to you after each lecture, and make simple notes because chances are, it wont be assessed.

Yes, from 2008 to 2017 with answers to all papers. Only hard questions have working out for them.

Very annoying how there is a prac pretty much every week, and how they do not link with the materials you learn in your lectures. (They are meant to, but the schedule is off). The marks you get in this component is dependent on your demonstrators. I was lucky to have nice demonstrators, because they were lenient on how they marked your report. You must manage your time well with this subject, as they do require you to write reports in class after each experiment. The experiment itself is very simple, but it can yield really bad results in some. You must also do error analysis, which is annoying but you can do it with the demonstrator's help. Also, before you go into your prac, make sure you read the practical, but don't bother with pre-prac questions in your book; because your demonstrator will go through the whole experiment when the class begins.

He will be taking majority of the lectures in week 1 to 6 (Motion & Force). The first lecture of physics 1 seems reaaaaally simple and easy, but this is because he is covering very basic definition of concepts or words that you must know (Even an year 10 physics student could define some). However, do not be fooled by these introductory lectures. I was lost throughout the whole semester in this subject. (Very content heavy for someone that thought it was a simple extension of VCE Physics). It is important to note that it is unlikely for complex concepts or calculation questions to be assessed in the final exam. Quiney's style of teaching is very concise and clear, and is arguable the one of the best lecturer for this subject. However, I did feel like that he over-complicates the content/course. (Like half of the content covered during the first 6 weeks were examined in the exam - but who knows in the future!).

He is very approachable if you have any problems, and does try to be funny. However, most of the content covered (Friction etc.) are very dry, and again, over complicated. He does drop some hints for the final exam (Topic that will be in the exam), so make sure you note it down!

After week 6, there were two streams available: a morning stream and an afternoon stream.

1 Out of 5

Recommended. This textbook was the easiest to obtain from the web!. The lectures should be used as a supplement to the content; not as a primary source of your learning. I & many other peers have felt the same way. The lectures assume you know the content before you enter the lecture room. So make sure you read the chapters prescribed to you!.

Personally seemed like a waste of time. Do not be afraid of the questions that they ask in these homework assignments as the exam is literally 1000 times easier. The questions are really hard and requires a lot of thinking. If you really care about your marks, i strongly do not recommend you solving them by yourselves (it is possible but it is not worth the risk, and time). If you copy and paste the question on google, you will find a answer to them 95% of the time. So just try to understand the answer given on the websites and it should be adequate. It is an easy 15% you can earn throughout the semester.

2018, Semester 1.

H1 (81)