Version | 1.1 |
Unit Name | Engineering Physics & Materials |
Unit Code | BSC103 |
Unit Duration | 1 Semester |
Award |
Bachelor of Science (Engineering) Duration 3 years |
Year Level | One |
Unit Creator / Reviewer | Dr. Ali Marzoughi / Dr. Milind Siddhpura / Dr. Ana Evangelista |
Common/Stream: | Common |
Pre-requisites | None |
Credit Points |
3 Total Course Credit Points 81 (27 x 3) |
Mode of Delivery | Online or on-campus. |
Unit Workload | (Total student workload including “contact hours” = 10 hours per week;) Pre-recordings / Lecture – 1.5 hours Tutorial – 1.5 hours Guided labs / Group work / Assessments – 2 hours Personal Study recommended – 5 hours |
Unit Description and General Aims
This unit is a core unit in all sub-disciplines. This unit covers fundamental topics in physics and material properties, which are required for all engineering disciplines.
The main purpose of pedagogical features of this unit is to provide the student with a clear and rational presentation of the fundamental of physics and material properties to enhance their understanding of the concept through a broad range of interesting real-world applications of physics and materials in engineering. The subject contents include, but are not limited to, mechanics (measurement, Newton’s Laws of Motions, force and motion analysis, work, energy and momentum), different properties of materials (mechanical, thermal. electrical, optical) and material selection; and introduction to Modern physics (relativity, quantum mechanics, application of nuclear physics). The unit further enables the student to display analytical problem-solving ability in providing solutions to engineering problems.
On completion, the student should be able to describe examples and applications of the principles studied and apply them in the engineering technology field.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this Unit, students are expected to be able to:
- Analyse motion, force, energy and momentum related problems.
Bloom's Level 4 - Utilise material properties and material selections for different applications.
Bloom's Level 3 - Explain relativity and relativistic energy.
Bloom's Level 2 - Analyse problems related to the principles of quantum mechanics.
Bloom's Level 4 - Solve nuclear physics and radiation related problems.
Bloom's Level 3
Student assessment
Assessment Type | When assessed | Weighting (% of total unit marks) | Learning Outcomes Assessed (Topics covered) |
Assessment 1 Type: Weekly Quizzes Description: Students will need to complete multiple-choice quiz questions to demonstrate a good understanding of the fundamental concepts. |
Weekly | 10% | All (Topics 2-11) |
Assessment 2 Type: Test (Invigilated) Description: Students will need to answer some short and/or long answer questions and/or solve some simple numerical problems. |
After Topic 4 | 25% | 1 (Topics 1-4) |
Assessment 3 Type: Practical Project (Report) Description: Students need to complete this practical project either using a software or by hand calculations and drawings. |
After Topic 9 | 25% | 2 (Topics 5-9) |
Assessment 4 Type: Examination (Invigilated) Description: An examination with a mix of theoretical short/detailed answer questions and some engineering problems. |
Exam Week | 40% | All (All topics) |
Overall requirements: Students must achieve a result of 50% or above in the exam itself to pass the exam, and must pass the exam to be able to pass the unit. An overall final unit score of 50% or above must be achieved to pass the unit once all assessment, including the exam, has been completed.
Prescribed and Recommended Readings
Core Textbooks
- William D. Callister and David G. Rethwisch, 2020, Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction, 1st Australia and New Zealand Edition, ISBN: 9780730382836
- Raymond A. Serway and Chris Vuille, 2017, College Physics, 11th Edition ISBN-13 978-1305952300
Recommended Textbooks
- Russel C Hibbler, 2021, Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics, 15th Edition ISBN-13: 9780137514717
- D.K. Bhattacharya and Poonam Tandon, 2015, Engineering Physics, ISBN- 978-0199452811
Journal, website
Reference Materials
- Peer-reviewed Journals
- Knovel library: http://app.knovel.com
- IDC Technologies publications
- Other material and online collections as advised during lectures
Unit Content
Topic 1
Motion:
- Distance, time and mass measurements
- Fundamental constants and dimensional analysis
- Linear Motion: Position, displacement, velocity, speed, acceleration and SUVAT
- Angular Motion: The Radian, Velocity, Acceleration
- Scalars and vectors
- Velocity and acceleration in two dimensions
- Projectile motion and uniform circular motion
- Motion on a flat and inclined plane.
Topic 2
Forces:
- Laws of mechanics
- Newton’s First Law
- Newton’s Second Law
- Reaction Forces
- Newton’s Third Law
- Force and mass
- Torque
- Pressure
- Buoyancy
Topic 3
Friction and Rigid Body:
- Friction force
- Laws of sliding friction
- Wedge friction
- Rolling resistance
- Drag
- Centripetal force
- Translation and rotation of rigid bodies
- General plane motion of simple rigid bodies
Topic 4
Work and Energy:
- The work of a force
- Principle of work and energy
- Power and Efficiency
- Conservative Forces and Potential Energy
- Conservation of Energy
- Linear Impulse and Momentum
- Conservation of Linear Momentum
- Impact
- Angular momentum
Topic 5
Mechanical properties of materials:
- Concepts of stress and strain
- Stress-strain relationship – Young’s modulus
- Young’s Modulus of different materials
- Poisson’s ratio
- Compressibility
- Ductility
- Resilience
- Toughness
- Hardness
Topic 6
Thermal properties of materials:
- Fundamentals of Thermodynamics
- Heat capacity
- Thermal expansion
- Thermal conductivity
- Thermal stress
- Vapour pressure
- Gas Laws
Topic 7
Optical properties of materials:
- Electromagnetic radiation and photon
- Light interactions with solids
- Atomic and electronic interactions
- Optical properties of metals and non-metals
- Applications of optical phenomena
- Fiber optics in communication
Topic 8
Electrical and magnetic properties of materials:
- Electrical conduction and conductivity
- Electron mobility
- Electrical resistivity of metals
- Intrinsic and Extrinsic semiconductivity
- Magnetic dipoles and field vectors
- Magnetic moments
- Diamagnetism, ferromagnetism and para-magnetism
Topic 9
Material Selection and Applications:
- Metal and alloys
- Polymers
- Ceramics
- Composite material
- Material Selection
Topic 10
Modern physics Part 1 (Relativity):
- Introduction to Galilean relativity
- Introduction to Einstein’s relativity
- Time Dilation
- Length Contraction
- Relativistic momentum and energy
- Lorentz velocity transformation
- The general theory of relativity
Topic 11
Modern Physics Part 2 (Quantum Mechanics):
- Principles of Quantum Physics
- Black Body Radiation and Planck’s Hypothesis
- Principle of Uncertainty
- Wave Functions
- Potential Well and Tunneling
- Simple Harmonic Oscillator
Topic 12
Modern physics Part 3 (Nuclear Physics):
- Principle of Nuclei
- Radioactivity
- Nuclear fission
- Nuclear reactors
- Nuclear fusion
- Radiation damage
- Application of radiation
Graduate Attributes
Successfully completing this Unit will contribute to the recognition of attainment of the following graduate attributes aligned to the AQF Level 7 criteria, Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standards for Engineering Technologists, the Sydney Accord and the Program Learning Outcomes (PLO).
BSc Graduate Attributes (GA) | EA Stage 1 competencies and PLO | Unit Learning Outcomes |
GA1 Discipline Specific Knowledge and Capabilities; GA2 Analytical, Creative and Reflective Skills; GA3 Design Oriented Approach; GA4 Independent and Life Long Learners with Social and Ethical Responsibility; GA5 Collaboration and Communication | ||
GA 1.1 Demonstrate competence in mathematics, natural sciences, and engineering fundamentals. | (EA 1.1) (PLO1) |
1-5 |
GA 1.4 Use numerical analysis, statistics, computer and information technology to develop solutions. | (EA 1.2, 1.3) (PLO2) |
1-5 |
GA 1.2 Possess specialized engineering knowledge appropriate to the discipline. | (EA 1.2, 1.3) (PLO2) |
1-5 |
GA 4.2 Independent self-directed learner in work and study who keeps up with advancements in their domain and professional practice. | (EA 1.4, 1.5) (PLO3) |
1-5 |
GA 4.3 Recognize the impact of engineering within the broader public interest. | (EA 1.4, 1.5) (PLO3) |
2 |
GA 2.2 Apply reflective practice to social, economic, global, cultural, and environmental factors to devise sustainable engineering solutions. | (EA 1.4, 1.6) (PLO4) |
- |
GA 2.1 Effective problem solvers, who apply creativity and critical thinking to problem solving. | (EA 2.1, 2.2) (PLO5) |
1-5 |
GA 1.3 Use discipline-specific techniques, resources, and engineering tools. | (EA 2.1, 2.2) (PLO5) |
1-5 |
GA 3.3 Use systemic engineering synthesis and design processes. | (EA 2.3, 2.4) (PLO6) |
- |
GA 3.1 Identify, define, devise and execute a plan to conduct and manage projects in the technology domain. | (EA 2.3, 2.4) (PLO6) |
- |
GA 4.4 Act ethically and demonstrate professionalism, individual accountability, and social responsibility. | (EA 3.1) (PLO7) |
2 |
GA 5.1 Identify and credibly communicate engineering and general knowledge. | (EA 3.2, 3.4, 3.6) (PLO8) |
2 |
GA 5.2 Demonstrate professional use and management of information. | (EA 3.2, 3.4, 3.6) (PLO8) |
2 |
GA 3.2 Proactive, creative, and innovative in defining engineering problems within a wider global context. | (EA 3.3) (PLO9) |
- |
GA 4.1 Resilient, flexible, and self-aware individual who can develop a strategy to identify and address gaps in knowledge. | (EA 3.3, 3.5, 3.6) (PLO10) |
- |
GA 5.3 Develop effective team membership and leadership and work collaboratively in a positive manner to achieve common goals. | (EA 3.3, 3.5, 3.6) (PLO10) |
- |
Software/Hardware Used
Software
- Software: N/A
- Version: N/A
- Instructions: N/A
- Additional resources or files: N/A
Hardware
- N/A