PHYSICS 102 : Basic Concepts of Physics
Science
2025 Semester One (1253) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
An introduction to the fundamental principles of physics that will equip students with little prior knowledge of physics to succeed in further physics study.
This course is algebra-based with an emphasis on regular mathematical problem-solving. NCEA Level 2 Mathematics or equivalent is recommended for sufficient preparation.
Key topics are the physical description of the motion of objects, waves, optics, electricity and magnetism. The course focuses on the science of everyday phenomena, the understanding of important physical concepts and their application.
This course includes weekly tutorials to assist students in mathematical problem solving, discussing applications of physics, becoming familiar with common experimental equipment, and with assignment problems. The tutorials form an important part of increasing your skill and confidence in applying your knowledge to solving physics problems.
Tutorials will involve individual, and group-based problem solving as well as short practical activities.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | People and Place |
| Capability 3: | Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 4: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 5: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 6: | Communication |
| Capability 7: | Collaboration |
| Capability 8: | Ethics and Professionalism |
Learning Outcomes
- Apply the laws of physics taught in this course to algebra based problems. (Capability 3, 4 and 5)
- Use standard physics and mathematical notation logically and correctly. (Capability 3, 6 and 8)
- Explain the science of everyday phenomena using important physical concepts. (Capability 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7)
- Contribute to group-based problem solving and discussions. (Capability 1, 3, 6, 7 and 8)
- Take responsibility for individual learning by consulting available resources, reflecting and asking questions, seeking positive learning opportunities and taking action to overcome difficulties. (Capability 1, 5, 6, 7 and 8)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Assignments | 24% | Individual Coursework |
| Quizzes | 5% | Individual Coursework |
| Tutorials | 6% | Group & Individual Coursework |
| Test | 15% | Individual Test |
| Final Exam | 50% | Individual Examination |
| 5 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||||||
| Assignments | ||||||||||
| Quizzes | ||||||||||
| Tutorials | ||||||||||
| Test | ||||||||||
| Final Exam | ||||||||||
Key Topics
- Mechanics: Kinematics, Projectile Motion, Newton's Laws and Applications (pulleys, inclined planes), Torque and Static Equilibrium, Hooke's Law, Simple Harmonic Motion, Conservation of Momentum, Work and Conservation of Energy.
- Waves and Optics: Mathematical Description of Waves, Superposition, Wave Intensity, Phase, Electromagnetic Waves, Standing Waves, Doppler Effect, Diffraction, Young's Interference, Reflection, Refraction, Snell's Law, Total Internal Reflection, Dispersion, Geometric Optics, Images in: Curved Mirrors, Single Lens Systems.
- Electricity and Magnetism: Coulomb's Law, Electric Fields, Electric Potential, Current, Resistance, Electric Power, Circuits, Kirchhoff's Laws, Electromagnetism, Faraday's Law and Lenz's Law.
Special Requirements
It is usual for the Test for PHYSICS 102 to be held outside of normal hours (approx. 6 pm to 7:30 pm) during the working week. The date is to be advised in class and on Canvas.
Tuākana
Tuākana Physics runs weekly Tutoring and Mentoring for Physics courses for Māori and Pasifika students.
We also run test and exam preparation wānanga for some courses and invite the lecturers to come along.
We have semi-regular kai, where we try to invite some of the physics teaching staff so you can get to know them better. In addition to academic and practical support, we run a Warrant of Fitness for stage two students and up, where we can talk through your study plans, check with you how studies are going, and help you to identify development and/or leadership opportunities available through the university.
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 15-point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15-point course they are enrolled in.
For this course, a typical weekly workload includes:
- 3 hours of lectures
- A 1-hour tutorial
- 3 hours of reading, consolidating and thinking about the content
- 3 hours of work on assignments, quizzes and/or test preparation
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including tutorials to complete components of the course. Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials will not be available as recordings. The course will not include live online events including tutorials.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.
Learning Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
- The PHYSICS 102 Coursebook is available free as a digital copy or purchased as a hard copy from UBIQ. This will be used in every lecture and contains course notes and example problems to be worked on in lectures.
- College Physics (Openstax) - readings and extra problems will be given from this text. https://openstax.org/details/college-physics
- Daily drop-in tutoring will be available on some weekdays from Week 2 to Week 12 (excluding public holidays, mid-semester break, and the last day of the semester). More details will be updated on Canvas. This learning support supplements regular classes and lecturers' office hours.
Student Feedback
During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.
At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.
Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
Copyright
The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.
You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.
The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.