Key facts
UNE unit code: PHYS100
*You are viewing the 2026 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Trimester 1 - On Campus
- Trimester 1 - Online
- Trimester 3 - Online
- Armidale Campus
- Yes
- No
- Yes
- 6
Unit information
Do you need a background understanding of physics to progress in your studies or career but did not study this subject at high school?
This unit will equip you with a foundation in physics that will allow you to pursue further study in applied physics. You can also use this unit as a "stand-alone" physics subject.
You will explore the basics of scientific methods and learn to interpret and analyse physical systems. You will examine topics including kinematics, dynamics, electricity and magnetism, wave motion, atomic and nuclear physics.
You will gain the skills to describe the relationship between quantities and solve numerical problems in the areas of linear and rotational mechanics, fluids, electricity and magnetism, waves (sound and light), atomic and nuclear physics.
Offerings
For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.
| Teaching period | Mode/location |
|---|---|
| Trimester 1 | On Campus, Armidale Campus |
| Trimester 1 | Online |
| Trimester 3 | Online |
*Offering is subject to availability
Intensive schools
There are no intensive schools required for this unit.
Enrolment rules
Notes
Completion of science and mathematics at Year-10 is advised and certainly Year-11 will be an advantage.Students should be confident with addition, subtraction, division and multiplication and have had an introduction to algebra.If you are doing both MTHS100 and PHYS100, consider completing MTHS100 Introduction to Quantitative Skills, prior to, or concurrently with, PHYS100 Introductory Physics .Students required to complete PHYS100 before enrolling for further PHYS units may apply to the head of school for a waiver of the prerequisite requirements.
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- define concepts, describe the relationship between quantities and solve numerical problems in the areas of linear and rotational mechanics, fluids, electricity and magnetism, waves (sound and light), atomic and nuclear physics;
- interpret and analyse a physical system from a text, image or graphical form; be able to describe the behaviour of fundamental physical systems and the relationships between quantities that they possess; and
- express an understanding of scientific methods.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
| Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 - Quizzes | Yes | 40% | All offerings | Five (5) online quizzes - either multiple choice questions or simple numerical calculations. |
| Assessment 2 - Mid-trimester Examination - Assurance Task | Yes | 30% | All offerings | Hurdle Task. You must average 45% across all hurdle tasks to pass this unit. |
| Final Examination - Assurance Task | Yes | 30% | All offerings | Hurdle Task. You must average 45% across all hurdle tasks to pass this unit. |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
Conceptual Physics + Workbook
ISBN: 9780655715870
Paul G. HEWITT, Pearson 13th Edition 2023
Text refers to: All offerings
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