TDG – Effective Transition between Introductory Courses and Advanced Courses – A Promise to Curriculum Continuity in Physics Study

Abstract

The 4-year undergraduate curriculum was launched at HKU in September 2012. The introductory physics courses were offered in 2012 and 2013 for the first two cohorts respectively. Students’ feedbacks in the evaluation reports (SETL) became important reference when we started to conceive the advanced courses. In the physics curriculum, there are four main streams in the advanced courses and they are the pillars of the subject. Obviously, from either sides of teachers and students, we both agree that a smooth transition from the introductory courses to advanced courses is essential in the curriculum development. This project focuses on the curriculum development of advanced courses in physics study while curriculum continuity is upheld. The outcomes include the course materials of PHYS3350 Classical Mechanics, PHYS3351 Quantum Mechanics, PHYS3450 Electromagnetism, and PHYS3550 Statistical Mechanics & Thermodynamics, etc. The project also echoes with the university’s strategy such that students can access the materials and interact with the instructors through the innovative e-learning platform Moodle. In order to learn the effectiveness of the newly developed advanced courses based on curriculum continuity, we have launched various ways to collect comments from students.

Deliverables