Syllabus followed at Massey university (semester 1 and 2)

124.104 Physics1A Mechanics and thermodynamics (semester 1)

Weekly plan and schedule

1. Units and Kinematics:

2. Mechanics, Projectile
3. Energy and Work
4. Momentum and Collisions
5. Rotational Dynamics, Torque and Energy
6. Angular Momentum
7. Simple Harmonic Motion
8. Buoyancy & Fluid Dynamics
9. Ideal Gases & Kinetic Theory
10. Calorimetry and Heat Transfer
11. First law of Thermodynamics and Applications
12. Second Law of Thermodynamics and Entropy

Requirement(s): Each student should take 3 hour(s) of Guided Instruction and 2 hour(s) of
Tutorial/Workshop(s) per week, and 3 hour(s) of Laboratory class(es) per fortnight.

Guided instruction (All students)

Monday 14:00 - 15:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 10:00
Tuesday 16:00 - 17:00

Tutorial/workshop (All students)

Wednesday 14:00 - 16:00

Laboratory (Group n2)

Friday 09:00 - 12:00

Course overview
This physics course provides foundational knowledge for study in engineering, food technology, and
physical sciences. The emphasis is on applying physical principles to problem solving in mechanics,
fluid mechanics, and thermodynamics. A practical course.

Syllabus
• Dimensional analysis and homogeneity

• One-dimensional kinematics, displacement, instantaneous/average velocity and acceleration,

motion under constant acceleration and free-fall.
• Two-dimensional kinematics: position-, velocity- and acceleration-vectors, resolving into
components, addition of vectors, vector inner and cross product. projectile motion, relative
velocity in one and two dimensions.
• Circular motion: angular frequency, centripetal acceleration and uniform circular motion.
• Forces and Newton’s Laws: fundamental forces and interactions, Newton’s laws of motion
and their applications, free-body diagrams, reaction forces, static and kinetic friction,
dynamics of circular motion
 • static equilibrium; elasticity and fracture.
• Work and energy: definition of work, sign of work, the work-energy theorem, work with a
constant force, work with a variable force, power, conservative forces, work and potential
energy, force and potential energy.
• Momentum and collisions: Momentum and impulse, conservation of momentum, elastic and
inelastic collisions, centre of mass, rocket propulsion, varying mass and speed problems.
• Rotational kinematics: Angular velocity and acceleration, comparison with linear motion,
energy and rotation, moments of inertia, calculation of moments of inertia for simple systems,
perpendicular and parallel axis theorems.
• Rotational dynamics: Angular momentum, torque, relationship between torque & angular
momentum & angular velocity & angular acceleration, conservation of angular momentum
and its consequences, dynamics of simple systems with rotational and translational motion,
Coriolis and centrifugal forces.

Thermodynamics

• Atomic Theory of Matter

• Temperature and Thermometers
• Thermal Equilibrium and the Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics
• Thermal Expansion
• The Gas Laws and Absolute Temperature
• The Ideal Gas Law Problem Solving with the Ideal Gas Law ; Ideal Gas Law in Terms of
Molecules: Avogadro’sNumber
• The Ideal Gas Law and the Molecular Interpretation of Temperature
• Distribution of Molecular Speeds
• Real Gases and Changes of Phase
• Vapor Pressure and Humidity
• Heat as Energy Transfer
• Internal Energy
• Specific Heat
• Calorimetry—Problem solving; mixture problems, state change problems
• Latent Heat
• The First Law of Thermodynamics
• Molar Specific Heats for Gases, and the Equipartition of Energy
• Adiabatic Expansion of a Gas
• Heat Transfer: Conduction,
• Convection, Radiation
• The Second Law of Thermodynamics
• Heat Engines
• Reversible and Irreversible ;Processes; the Carnot Engine
• Refrigerators, Air Conditioners, and Heat Pumps
• Entropy
• Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics
• Order to Disorder
• Unavailability of Energy; Heat Death

Learning outcomes
 1. Interpret and represent physical situations in different forms including written descriptions,
diagrams, graphs and mathematical expressions.
2. Apply physical principles to solve problems involving linear and rotational motion.
3. Apply physical principles to solve problems involving fluids and thermal physics.
4. Carry out experiments, analyse the results with proper considerations of measurement
uncertainty and make valid conclusions.
5. Critically examine the design of experiments and make constructive suggestions on the
possible improvements of experiments.

Assessment criteria

(new)^

Assignment type Percentage contributed to the final mark

Weekly Hand-in assignments 10%
Labs (six in total) 15%
Mid-term exam 25%
Final exam 50%

(old)^

124.105 Physics 1B Electricity waves and modern physics (semester 2 )

Weekly plan and schedule

 1. Coulomb's Law, Electric Field
2. Capacitance and Capacitors, Current and Voltage, Resistance
3. DC Circuit Analysis
4. Magnetic Fields
5. EM Induction
6. AC, LRC Circuits ,LC oscillations
7. Waves
8. Sound and Vision
9. Physical Optics
10. Special Relativity
11. Introduction to Quantum mechanics( Rutherford’s experiment, Bohr model of hydrogen atom,
spectral lines and the ultraviolet catastrophe and black body radiation)
12. Quantum Mechanics—the Wave Function , Quantisation of Energy

Requirement(s): Each student should take 3 hour(s) of Guided Instruction and 2 hour(s) of
Tutorial/Workshop(s) per week, and 3 hour(s) of Laboratory class(es) per fortnight.

Guided instruction (All students)

Monday 14:00 - 15:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 10:00
Tuesday 16:00 - 17:00

Tutorial/workshop (All students)

Wednesday 14:00 - 16:00

Laboratory (Group n2)

Friday 09:00 - 12:00

Course overview

This physics course provides foundational knowledge for study in engineering, food technology and
physical sciences. The emphasis is on applying physical principles to problems involving electricity,
waves (including classical waves and electromagnetic waves), optics, quantum physics, and the
application of modern technologies such as lasers, mass spectrometers, and nuclear magnetic
resonance. A practical course.

Syllabus

• Static Electricity; Electric Charge and Its Conservation

• Electric Charge in the Atom
• Insulators and conductors
• Induced charge; electroscope
• Coulomb’s law
• The Electric Field
• Electric Field Calculations for continuous charge distributions
• Field lines
• Electric fields and conductors
• Motion of a charged particle In an electric field
• Electric Flux
• Gauss’s Law
• Applications of Gauss’s Law
• Electric Potential Energy and Potential Difference
• Relation between Electric Potential and Electric Field
• Electric Potential Due to Point Charges
• Potential Due to Any Charge Distribution
• Equipotential Surfaces
• Electric Dipole Potential
• E Determined from V
• Electrostatic Potential Energy; the Electron Volt
• Capacitors
• Determination of Capacitance
• Capacitors in Series and Parallel
• Electric Energy Storage
• Dielectrics
• The Electric Battery
• Electric Current
• Ohm’s Law: Resistance and Resistors
• Resistivity
• Electric Power
• Power in Household Circuits
• Alternating Current
• Microscopic View of Electric Current:
• Current Density and Drift Velocity
• EMF and Terminal Voltage
• Resistors in Series and in Parallel
• Kirchhoff’s Rules
• Series and Parallel EMFs; Battery Charging
• Circuits Containing Resistor and Capacitor (RC Circuits)
• Magnets and Magnetic Fields
• Electric Currents Produce Magnetic Fields
• Force on an Electric Current in a Magnetic Field; Definition of B
• Force on an Electric Charge Moving in a Magnetic Field
• Torque on a Current Loop; Magnetic Dipole Moment
• The Hall Effect
• Unforced Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM); oscillations of a spring, oscillations of a multiple
strings connected to the same object, oscillation of a pendulum , small angle approximation,
conical pendulum and other problems

• Characteristics of Wave Motion Types of Waves:

• Transverse and Longitudinal Energy Transported by Waves Mathematical Representation of
a Traveling Wave
• Undamped forced Linear Harmonic Oscillator
• Resonance applied to mechanical systems
• Coupled oscillators and normal modes
• Travelling waves along a string under tension and the creation of harmonics
• Principle of superposition and the role it plays in interference, reflection, and standing waves
• Sound
• Characteristics of Sound
• Mathematical Representation
of Longitudinal Waves
• Intensity of Sound: Decibels
• Sources of Sound:
• Vibrating Strings and Air Columns
 • The Doppler effect
• Interference of Sound Waves; Beats and dispersion
• Magnetic Field Due to a Straight Wire
• Force between Two Parallel Wires
• Definitions of the Ampere and the Coulomb
• Ampere’s Law
• Magnetic Field of a Solenoid and a Toroid
• Biot-Savart Law
• Magnetic Materials—Ferromagnetism
• Imedance in AC circuits
• Inductance ,AC circuits and electromagnetic oscillations ; LC, RC, LRC circuits (with AC
source)
• Light as waves, rays and photons: a brief history of geometric optics

• Reflection from plane and curved surfaces

• Spherical and chromatic aberration, aspheric lenses and achromats

• Refraction of light through a thin lens and the Lens-maker’s equation

• The theoretical resolving power, Rayleigh’s criterion and focal ratio

• Diffraction

• Polarization, phase, coherence and optical path difference

• Dispersion by prisms and diffraction gratings

• Young’s double slit experiment and interference patterns

• Interference in thin films and Newton’s rings

• Ideas and thoughts that lead to the special theory of relativity

• Inertial frames of reference

• Einstein’s postulates of special relativity

• Spacetime

• Events; simultaneous events

• Time dilation; proper time

• Length contraction; proper length

• Lorentz transformation; examples and consequences

• New units e.g. mass in terms of MeV/c2, linear momentum in terms of MeV/c

• Relativistic total energy and rest energy (E=mc2)

• Introduction to quantum mechanics; black body radiation (and catastrophe); photo electric
effect and dual nature of light; Schrödinger’s wave equation(time independent) and wave
function as a probability distribution; quantum tunnelling and potential barriers,lasers and
mass spectrometers

Learning outcomes

1. Interpret and represent physical situations in different forms including written descriptions,
diagrams, graphs and mathematical expressions.
 2. Apply physical principles to solve problems involving electrostatics and DC circuits.
3. Apply physical principles to solve problems involving magnetism and AC circuits.
4. Apply physical principles to solve problems involving waves, optics and quantum physics.
5. Carry out experiments, analyse the results with proper considerations of measurement
uncertainty and make valid conclusions.
6. Critically examine the design of experiments and make constructive suggestions on the
possible improvements of experiments.

Assessment criteria

(new)^

Assignment type Percentage contributed to the final mark

Weekly Hand-in assignments 10%
Labs (six in total) 15%
Mid-term exam 25%
Final exam 50%

(old)^
160.102 Linear Algebra (Semester 1)

Weekly plan and schedule

1. Algebra and geometry of vectors

2. Lines and planes, cross product
3. Systems of linear equations: calculating solutions
4. Systems of linear equations: spanning sets and linear independence, applications
5. Matrices
 6. Subspaces (column space, row space and null space)
7. Linear Transformations
8. Complex numbers
9. Complex numbers and polynomials
10. Determinants
11. Eigen values and eigen spaces
12. Applications of eigenvalues

Requirement(s): Each student should take 3 hour(s) of Lecture(s) and 2 hour(s) of

Tutorial/Workshop(s) per week.

Lecture (All students)

Monday 09:00 - 10:00
Tuesday 12:00 - 13:00
Wednesday 10:00 - 11:00

Tutorial/workshop (All students)

Friday 15:00 - 17:00

Course overview

A course focusing on the fundamental techniques and applications of linear algebra including vector
and matrix algebra, vector representation of lines and planes, projections, Gaussian elimination,
eigenvectors and complex numbers. 160.102, alongside 160.101, forms a foundation for further study
in mathematics. It is essential for students intending to study Mathematics, Physics, Food Technology
or Engineering, or for anyone who wants a strong mathematical component to their degree.

Syllabus
• Vectors in 2 and 3 dimensions: definition; manipulation (algebra); dot and cross products;
vector equations of lines and planes.

• Complex numbers and their algebra: their origin as solutions to real quadratic equations;
geometric representation and polar form; De Moivre’s theorem and roots; curves and regions
in the plane described using complex numbers; roots of real polynomials occur in conjugate
pairs.

• Introduction to matrices and their algebra: (addition, multiplication, inverse, transpose)

• Linear systems of equations in n real or complex variables and their solutions: linear
combinations, linear span, subspaces, independence and bases, dimension, existence and
uniqueness of solutions to linear systems described through the kernel (null space) and
image of a matrix, the Rank-Nullity Theorem.
• Linear transformations: linearity of maps between coordinate spaces, composition as
matrix multiplication, one-to-one and onto as consequences of nullity and rank, eigenvectors
and eigenvalues, diagonalizability as a change of coordinates, diagonalizability criteria.
Properties of trace and determinant.
 • Abstract linear algebra: definition of a vector space. All concepts (linear combination,
subspace, independence and bases, linear transformations, kernel and image, eigenvectors
and eigenvalues)
• Applications; Markov chain; Solving circuit analysis problems; traffic management systems
.

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this course should be able to:

1. Solve systems of linear equations and perform algebraic calculations using vectors and
matrices.
2. Use vectors to solve problems involving lines and planes in three dimensions.
3. Calculate determinants, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors of matrices, and demonstrate the
ability to uses these in applications.
4. Demonstrate proficiency with the algebra and geometry of complex numbers.
5. Use computer software (such as MATLAB) for matrix calculations and for solving systems of
linear equations.
6. Communicate mathematical arguments in appropriate mathematical language/symbols.

Assessment criteria

160.101 calculus (semester 2 )

Weekly plan and schedule

1. Functions
2. Limits
3. The Derivative
4. Differentiation rules and rates of change
5. Applications of the Derivative
6. Applications of the derivative (continued)
7. Approximation by Polynomials and Mac Laurin Series
8. Integrals
 9. Applications of Integration
10. Techniques of Integration
11. Numerical integration and improper integrals

Requirement(s): Each student should take 3 hour(s) of Lecture(s) and 2 hour(s) of

Tutorial/Workshop(s) per week.

Lecture (All students)

Monday 08:00 - 09:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 09:00
Thursday 13:00 - 14:00

Tutorial/workshop (All students)

Friday 12:00 - 14:00

Course overview

A course focusing on the fundamental techniques and applications of calculus including differentiation
and integration of functions of one real variable, differential equations, numerical methods, and an
introduction to power series with applications to mathematical models. 160.101, alongside 160.102,
forms a foundation for further study in mathematics. It is essential for students intending to study
Mathematics, Physics, Food Technology or Engineering, or for anyone who wants a strong
mathematical component to their degree.

Syllabus

Functions and their properties. Domain and range, inverse functions. Limits and continuity
(axiomatic as definitions). The derivative (from first principles). l'Hopital's rule.

Differential calculus. Rules of differentiation (chain, product, quotient). Derivatives of

standard functions (powers, polynomials, trigonometric), applications including maxima and
minima and curve sketching

Integral calculus. The definite integral. Anti-derivatives and the indefinite integral.
Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. Rules and techniques for integration: partial fractions, by
parts, by substitution. Improper integrals. Applications; area and volume of revolutions ,
applications in physics, average function value; numeric integration with error.

• Taylor series

• Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this course should be able to:

1. Calculate limits, derivatives, integrals, and power series of single-variable functions.

2. Apply the concepts and techniques of differentiation and integration to a variety of
applications.
 3. Apply numerical methods to obtain approximations to the solutions of equations and to
definite integrals.
4. Use computer software (such as MATLAB) to carry out graphical, numerical and symbolic
explorations.
5. Communicate mathematical arguments in appropriate mathematical language/symbols.

Assessment criteria

161.122 Statistics. (Semester 2 )

Course schedule and overview

Statistical literacy and data collection. Descriptive statistics and the interpretation of data, probability,
random variables and probability distributions, sampling and estimation, hypothesis testing,
correlation and regression, use of R software.

Requirement(s): Each student should take 2 hour(s) of Lecture(s) and 2 hour(s) of Computer Lab(s)
per week.
Lecture (All students)
Monday 09:00 - 10:00
Friday 11:00 - 12:00

Tutorial (Computer lab 1)

Wednesday 09:00 - 10:00
Thursday 14:00 - 15:00

Tutorial (Computer lab 2)

Tuesday 14:00 - 15:00
Friday 10:00 - 11:00

Tutorial (Computer lab 3)

Tuesday 11:00 - 12:00
Friday 14:00 - 15:00

Syllabus

Probability

• Probability as a set function, sample space, event. Axioms of probability.

• Properties of probability (probability of the union of events, the complement of
an event, etc.)
• Conditional probability. Bayes’ Theorem and applications.
• independence of events.
• Probability distributions; Normal distribution, Binomial distribution, Poisson
Distribution, exponential distribution.
Random variables

• Definition, cumulative distribution function.

• Discrete random variables and their distribution. Common discrete distributions.

• Continuous random variables, the density function. Common continuous distributions.

• Expectation and variance of random variables and functions of random variables.

Exploratory data analysis

• Tabular summaries of data. Graphical summaries: line plot, box plot, bar chart, histogram,
stem and leaf plot, scatterplot for bivariate data, etc.

• Measures of centre of a data set (mean, median, mode) , spread/variability (standard

deviation, range, interquartile range) and skewness.

Properties of random samples

• Central limit theorem.

• Sample distributions.
 • Computer simulations.

Statistical models and parameter estimation

• Examples of statistical models.

• Unbiased estimators.

• Sample mean, sample variance and sample covariance.

• Confidence intervals for the mean.

• Maximum likelihood estimators.

Simple linear regression

o The simple linear regression model.

o Least squares estimators of the slope and intercept.

o Analysis of variance and the coefficient of determination.

o Prediction using the simple linear regression model.

Statistical Quality control

• Various methods of sample selection and collection

• Control charts; x-chart, s-chart , mean chart, range chart

sLearning outcomes

1. Plan the collection of data for a specific purpose from appropriate data sources, and critique a
given data collection scheme.
2. Choose appropriate software techniques for summarising and visualising complex datasets,
communicating the results in context.
3. Analyse and interpret relationships between variables.
4. Use a range of probability models and their characteristics to make predictions for random
variables.
5. Construct and interpret confidence intervals for a range of population parameters.
6. Apply the theory of hypothesis testing to construct and critique inferential statements about
population characteristics, as part of the scientific method.
Assessment criteria

159.171 Introduction to computational thinking and programming 1 (Semester 1)

Course overview
The focus of this course is on problem solving and the design of logical and efficient computer-based
solutions to real-world problems. This is a practical course with an emphasis on software construction
using basic data structures and algorithmic methods that are common to many programming
languages. The programming language used will be a high level, multi-paradigm, programming
language, such as Python. The course is intended as preparation for advanced courses in object-
oriented, functional and scientific programming. Students will gain an appreciation of simple software
design principles and the ability to create useful custom-built programs.

Course schedule and syllabus

 • Topic 1 - Introduction to Python Programming ; python’s purpose, syntax and structure
• Topic 2 - Conditionals & modules ; introduction to if else statements and their applications
and exercises.
• Topic 3 – Iteration, for, while , do while, loops, importance of iteration in programming
• Topic 4 - Functions ; modular programming, functions return statements and parameters
• Topic 5 - Advanced lists and strings; further list and string methods to sort and slice lists and
strngs.
• Topic 6 - Revision (1st half of course)
• Topic 7 - Nested lists and loops; further looping constructs, nested looping to traverse
multidimensional lists
• Topic 8 - Tuples and dictionaries; introduction as data types and key features
• Topic 9 - OS basics and file IO; input statements; output formatting; file opening , reading,
writing, saving and closing, creating new csv and excel files.
• Topic 10 - Exceptions, modules and floating point arithmetic; error handling ; twos
complement
• Topic 11 - Object-oriented programming; introduction to OOP thinking basic; constructors/
initialisers in python.
• Topic 12 - Summary, Tips and Revision

Assessment criteria

Assignment type Percentage contributed to the final mark

Weekly workshop question (3% each) 36%
Two assignments 14%
Final exam 50%

1. 159.100 Introduction to programming (Semester 2)

Course schedule and overview

This course provides an introduction to computer programming. The language is C++ which is a "real
world" language heavily used in games, real-time applications and the control of devices. The course
guides students through all the steps needed to write, compile and debug simple C++ programs with
lots of practical examples. No previous programming experience is required.

Requirement(s): Each student should take 5 hour(s) of Lecture(s) per week.

Lecture (All students)

Monday 13:00 - 14:00
Tuesday 11:00 - 12:00
Wednesday 17:00 - 18:00
Tutorial (Lab 1)
Wednesday 09:00 - 11:00

Tutorial (Lab 2)
Friday 15:00 - 17:00

Syllabus

• Communicating with machines; Computational thinking, programming , coding, compilers and

interpreters
• Introduction to C++; data types, lists, print statements, if/else statements, for/while loops,
break and continue, pointers and references in c++, libraries
• Further concepts in C++; String class, Array class, Vector class, string and Array methods,
I/O statements, modular programming, scope of a variable and function overloading, enums
and output formatting.
• Introduction to Object oriented programming; constructors and destructors, default
constructor, instance fields and methods, method signatures , getters and setters,
encapsulation and abstraction, static fields, static methods, inheritance, polymorphism and
abstract classes
• Qt graphics; GUI applications using Qt and graphs and basic shapes using Qt.

Learning outcomes

1. Define variables and perform input/output operations.

2. Control program flow with conditional and iteration statements.
3. Design programs incorporating basic data structures.
4. Construct suitable Graphical User Interfaces and generate beginner-level graphics.
5. Write, compile and debug C++ programs.

Assessment criteria