Introduction to Physical Science and Maths (8776.3)

Please note these are the 2027 details for this unit
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Introduction to Physical Science and Maths
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods On-campus
 UC College, Bruce, ACT
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Science And Technology
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
School Of Science Level 1 - Undergraduate Introductory Unit Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This unit provides an introduction to key concepts in the physical sciences and mathematics, including mechanics, heat and electricity and the use and application of algebraic manipulations. It will include basic laboratory skills such as measurement and building of electrical circuits.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental concepts in physics, and how to apply this knowledge in novel settings;
2. Apply skills in physics investigations and the analysis of physical data;
3. Apply skills in working in a group; and
4. Skills in communicating ideas in physics and mathematics.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development


Skills development

Learning outcomes and objectives of the University of Canberra College units aim to prepare students to achieve the Graduate Attributes of University of Canberra.



Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2027 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2026 UC College, Bruce, ACT Semester 1 16 February 2026 On-campus Dr Robert Berthon
2027 UC College, Bruce, ACT Semester 1 15 February 2027 On-campus Dr Robert Berthon
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit timetable.

Required texts

"Conceptual Physics" by Pasquale et al. (2024) College of DuPage Digital Press

Access to an ecopy of this text will be available through the following URL:

https://cod.pressbooks.pub/physics1100

Other resources and readings will also be posted from time-to-time on the unit canvas site.

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Artificial Intelligence

Students are not permitted to use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in assessments for this unit, except for Studiosity Writing Feedback Plus.

GenAI may only be used in authorised ways when completing assessments at UC. This means that GenAI can only be used for an assessment when:

  1. the Unit Convener has authorised GenAI use for that assessment
  2. the student uses GenAI in the way that the assessment instructions allow
  3. the student fully acknowledges their use of GenAI, with proper citations, references and a GenAI Acknowledgement Statement in line with the assessment instructions.

Where the assessment instructions do not specifically state that GenAI may be used and how, then its use is not permitted for that assessment. Students must still provide the required GenAI Acknowledgement Statement to indicate whether GenAI has or has not been used in the preparation of the assessment. If unsure, students should seek advice from the Unit Convener.

The GenAI for Students Library Guide provides further information, including how to reference GenAI Links to an external site..

Special assessment requirements

Due to the below requirement number 2, students are required to participate in at least 80% (9 out of 11) of the practical sessions. Note that the practical session in week 8 is for the Case Study work and is not considered as one of the 11 practical sessions.

In order to pass this unit, students must:

1. achieve an overall mark of at least 50%; and

2. gain a minimum of 9 of the below 12 practical skills by participating in 9/11 practical sessions across the semester. Participation involves completion of required tasks, which will be signed off by teaching staff at the conclusion of relevant practical sessions. Students will have multiple chances across semester to demonstrate attainment of the above-mentioned skills, hence 9 of 11 is sufficient.

The practical skills are: application of the scientific method in experimental setting, appropriate selection of experimental variables and controls, correct and safe handling and setup of apparatus (including: transducer-based sensor systems and electrical circuits), correct measurement techniques using various apparatus, appropriate recording of data, identification and representation of physical systems and their components, plotting experimentally derived data, fitting and analysing graphical relationships, interpreting graphical results in applied settings, correctly incorporating experimental uncertainty into analyses, application of formulae and calculation based on experimentally derived data, correct and safe pack-down procedures.

The unit convenor reserves the right to question students on any of their submitted work for moderation and academic integrity purposes.

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Learner engagement

The 150 hours include time spent in classes. The unit occupies a total of 15 weeks including the examination period.  Therefore it is expected that you should spend about 10 hours per week for this unit.  This might be broken up as follows:

Workshop 2
Practical 2
Assignments 1
Journal preparation 1
Investigation 2
Private study 2

Participation requirements

IMPORTANT NOTE:

The teaching style in this unit is highly interactive with many in-class activities.  The classes are NOT formal lectures and lecture notes are NOT available.  It is therefore very important that you attend every class and to be prepared to actively participate.

A roll will be called at the beginning of every class.

Students should attend all workshop classes.  As a guideline students with less than 80% attendance are placing their studies at risk as students with poor attendance will find it difficult to keep up with the workload.

Participation at the Practical classes is compulsory.  A roll will be maintained.  Before leaving the laboratory your work must be signed off by a member of staff.  Any practical sessions without a signature will not be counted.

In order to meet WIL requirements and demonstrate ULOs 1, 2, 3 and 4, students must gain a minimum of 9 of the 12 practical skills (listed in the Special Assessment Requirements section) by participating in 9 out of the 11 practical sessions across semester. Participation involves completion of required tasks, which will be signed off by teaching staff at the conclusion of relevant practical sessions. Students will have multiple chances across semester to demonstrate attainment of the above-mentioned skills, hence 9 of 11 is sufficient.  Note that while there are 12 practical session during the semester, one of the 12 sessions is allocated to the Experimental Case Study.

Required IT skills

Standard software such as Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel will be used in this unit.

In-unit costs

You will need: scientific calculator, laboratory log book for the journal, access to the prescribed text book which will be available online through the College of DuPage Digital Press.

Work placement, internships or practicums

This unit contains WIL through the practical sessions.

Next step

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