General physics II

Duration

45h Th, 35h Pr

Number of credits

Lecturer

Alejandro Silhanek

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The course General Physics II is the natural continuation of the course General Physics I given in block 1 and covers the following subjects: electricity and magnetism, waves, optics, elements of atomic and molecular physics, notions of nuclear physics.  

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

This course addresses a number of fundamental concepts concerning different areas of physics relevant in the training of students in biological, geological and geographic sciences. The course deals with different aspects of the scientific process: observation, the development of models, the use of these. It combines intuition and mathematical rigor. The student will have to demonstrate an active and practical knowledge of the subjects taught.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Mathematics (Algebra, Analysis and Geometry) and knowledge acquired from the physics course in block 1.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Oral teaching is illustrated by experimental demonstrations (videos) which aim, along with practical work, to make students aware of the importance of observing phenomena. The emphasis is on a phenomenological and intuitive presentation in order to ensure the "physical" understanding of the phenomena. The problem sessions aim at a better understanding of the theoretical models and concepts introduced in the course, by their use in concrete situations.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Theoretical course: 4 hours per week. Exercises and practical work: students will be divided into series; the schedule and the premises will be communicated at the start of the course. The presence of students in practical work is MANDATORY.
The course includes ex cathedra theoretical lectures oriented on fundamental concepts. These presentations are occasionally accompanied by experimental demonstrations (videos). During the sessions of exercices and practical work, these concepts are put into practice.

Organisational adjustments related to the current health context

Teaching : Theoretical course in virtual mode (remote) with the possibility of podcasting during the time slots when the course will take place. Practical sessions (TP) in regular mode, i.e. physically present at the teaching room. Excercies session in virtual mode (remote).
 
Assessment: If the health context allows it, the assessment will be face-to-face according to the methods detailed in the point "Assessment methods and criteria"
If a remote assessment is required by the health situation, the oral questioning of the theoretical part will be replaced by a written remote MCQ-type examination through the eCampus platform. The written examination of problems and the examination of practical work relating to the content of the laboratory sessions will also be carried out remotely.  

Recommended or required readings

The course slides will be available on the platform eCampus. The format adopted for the presentation of these slides will aim to encourage student participation during oral presentations.
The course is inspired by many textbooks such as:
PHYSIQUE de H. Benson (De Boeck, volumes 2 et 3).
PHYSIQUE de J. Kane et M. Sternheim

Assessment methods and criteria

Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.

Any session :

- In-person

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )

- Remote

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )

- If evaluation in "hybrid"

preferred in-person


Additional information:

The course ends in December. The exam takes place in January and consists of three tests: (i) an oral theory exam, (ii) a written problem exam and (iii) a practical work exam on the content of the laboratory sessions.
The presentation of the student card is required for each test. Attendance at each of the three tests is compulsory. Students who are not physically present for one of the three tests will automatically receive the grade "Absent". Any fraud will be penalized according to the regulations in force at the University. Students in a special situation wishing to benefit from a partial grade deferral for one of the exams must make an explicit request to the secretariat at the start of the year and must then come and validate the postponed grade (signature) if their request is accepted.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Contacts

Practical work: Christelle.Prosperi@uliege.be
Exercices: eric.opsomer@uliege.be
Lectures : Alejandro Silhanek Département de Physique Bât. B5, R/51 Allée du 6 août, 19 B- 4000 Sart Tilman Email: asilhanek@uliege.be