Offered to students admitted to Year 1 in ALL
Major/Minor ALL
Course Type
Offer in 2023 - 2024 Y N
Course Code PHYS3851
Date2023/09/24 21:18
Enquiry for Course Details
PHYS3851 Atomic and nuclear physics (6 credits) Academic Year 2023
Offering Department Physics Quota ---
Course Co-ordinator Dr J H C Lee, Physics < jleehc@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Dr J H C Lee,Physics)
Course Objectives This course covers the fundamentals of atomic physics and nuclear physics and their applications in astrophysics and atomic and nuclear science in the advanced undergraduate level. Experimental topics will also be included, such as detection methods and principles of experiments with hand-on experience.  It is an elective course for the experimental physics theme.  This is also an essential course for those who plan to pursue postgraduate studies or work in atomic and nuclear physics and related disciplines.
Course Contents & Topics Properties of atoms and nuclei; nuclear composition; liquid drop model; shell model in atoms and nuclei; particle & gamma decay; nuclear reactions; radiation detectors; nuclear astrophysics; frontier research and applications in atomic and nuclear science.
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 describe and explain the basic features of atoms and nuclei
CLO 2 apply general considerations of quantum mechanics to atomic and nuclear system
CLO 3 make general orders of magnitude in estimation of physical effects in atoms and nuclei
CLO 4 describe nuclear decay processes and nuclear reactions in nucleosynthesis
CLO 5 apply basic experimental skill for radiation detection
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Pass in PHYS2265
Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core 2023 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2020 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2020 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2020 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2019 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2019 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2019 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
Course to PLO Mapping 2023 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2023 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2022 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2022 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2021 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2021 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2020 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2020 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2019 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2019 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
Offer in 2023 - 2024 Y        1st sem    Examination Dec     
Offer in 2024 - 2025 N
Course Grade A+ to F
Grade Descriptors
A Demonstrate thorough mastery at an advanced level of extensive knowledge and skills required for attaining all the course learning outcomes. Show strong analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, with evidence of original thought, and ability to apply knowledge to a wide range of complex, familiar and unfamiliar situations. Apply highly effective organizational and presentational skills. Apply highly effective lab skills and techniques. Critical use of data and results to draw appropriate and insightful conclusions.
B Demonstrate substantial command of a broad range of knowledge and skills required for attaining at least most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to familiar and some unfamiliar situations. Apply effective organizational and presentational skills. Apply effective lab skills and techniques. Correct use of data of results to draw appropriate conclusions.
C Demonstrate general but incomplete command of knowledge and skills required for attaining most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to most familiar situations. Apply moderately effective organizational and presentational skills. Apply moderately effective lab skills and techniques. Mostly correct but some erroneous use of data and results to draw appropriate conclusions.
D Demonstrate partial but limited command of knowledge and skills required for attaining some of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some coherent and logical thinking, but with limited analytical and critical abilities. Show limited ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Apply limited or barely effective organizational and presentational skills. Apply partially effective lab skills and techniques. Limited ability to use data and results to draw appropriate conclusions.
Fail Demonstrate little or no evidence of command of knowledge and skills required for attaining the course learning outcomes. Lack of analytical and critical abilities, logical and coherent thinking. Show very little or no ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Organization and presentational skills are minimally effective or ineffective. Apply minimally effective or ineffective lab skills and techniques. Misuse of data and results and/or unable to draw appropriate conclusions.
Communication-intensive Course N
Course Type Lecture with laboratory component course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Laboratory 9
Lectures 36
Tutorials 8
Reading / Self study 80
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)		 Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Assignments 20 CLO 1,2,3,4
Examination 2-hour written exam 40 CLO 1,2,3,4
Laboratory reports 20 CLO 1,2,3,5
Test 20 CLO 1,2,3,4
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 Lecture notes from the Course Coordinator
Richard A. Dunlap: An Introduction to The Physics of Nuclei and Particles (Brooks/Cole, 2003)
B. H. Bransden and C. J. Joachain: Physics of Atoms and Molecules (Pearson, 2nd, 2003)
T.A. Littlefield & N. Thorley: Atomic and Nuclear Physics (Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. Ltd, 3rd, 1979)
K. Krane: Introductory nuclear physics (John Wiley & Sons, 1988)
Course Website http://moodle.hku.hk
Additional Course Information NIL
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