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Physik-Institut

Compulsory Modules, Semester 1 and 2

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Physics I and II (PHY111, PHY121)

Mechanics:

  • Kinematics and dynamics of mass points
  • Dynamics of point systems and rigid bodies
  • Mechanics of gases and fluids

Thermodynamics:

  • Terms, equations of state
  • Elements of kinetic gas theory
  • First and second law of thermodynamics
  • Application of the laws

Electricity and Magnetism:

  • Electrostatics, stationary currents
  • Magnetic fields, time variable currents
  • Maxwell equations

Wave theory:

  • Wave dispersion (elastic and electromagnetic waves)
  • Breaking, bending and interference in acoustics and optics

Further topics:

  • Mathematical tools (vector fields, complex notation)
  • Additional lecture experiments for Physics I & II
  • Additional topics for Physics I & II (e.g. tops, hydrodynamics)
  • Theory of special relativity
  • Maxwell equations in differential form
  • Radiation of illuminated charges (e.g. dipole or synchrotron radiation)

Labs for Physics I and II (PHY112, PHY122)

Selected experiments, including writing of a report and completion of an error calculation:

  • Measurement of physical quantities and error calculation
  • Absorption of radiation and radioactivity
  • Determining of mechanical quantities and material constants
  • Mechanical oscillations and resonance
  • Steam pressure curve of water
  • Specific warmth and adiabatic index
  • Determining of fundamental constants
  • Alternating current circuits
  • Magnetic field measurements
  • Waves and interference, optical representation
  • Spectroscopy

Supplements to Physics I (PHY110)

  • Taylor Expansion

  • Differential equations

  • Vector fields

  • Differential operators, gradient, divergence, rotation

  • Complex notation

  • Matrix inversion, Eigenwerte

  • Fourier Transformations

 

Supplements to Physics II (PHY120)

  • Hydrodynamics, Navier-Stokes equations

  • Gravity, Kepler's Law

  • Atmospheric Physics

  • Brownian motion and transport phenomena

  • Fourier optics and wave theory

  • movement of charges in el-magn. fields

Scientific Computing (PHY124)

  • Linux
  • Graphical Display
  • Programming in Python
  • Important algorithms and program libraries for linear algebra, differential equations and probability/statistics
  • Various examples in Physics

Analysis I and II (MAT121, MAT132)

  • Differential and integral calculus for real value functions with one variable
  • Number systems: Completion from Q to R; complex numbers
  • Sequences and series; Constancy of functions; Sequences and series of functions; Intermediate value theorems
  • Differential calculus; local behavior of functions (Extrema); Mean value theorems; Riemann integration; Fundamental theorem; Improper integrals
  • Elementary functions
  • Power series and Taylor series, multivariate differential calculations
  • Derivatives of multivariate graphs; partial derivatives, Taylor series; local behavior of a graph;convexity
  • Theorem of inverse functions; theorem of implicit functions; real manifold; local extrema with constraints
  • Integral calculations in Rn; transformation equation; length and area content
  • Vector analysis: vector fields, rotations, divergence, Stokes’ theorem; divergence theorem; Green’s theorem

Linear Algebra (MAT111)

  • Basics and algebraic structures: sets, groups, bodies, rings, Euclidean rings, residue bodies and body extensions
  • Matrices and linear systems of equations:vector spaces, matrices, Gaussian elimination method, linear dependence, generating system, basis, equivalence of matrices, similarity of matrices, linear algebra over rings
  • Determinant: Symmetric group, Multilinear mappings, Determinant as normalized alternating mapping, Further properties of the determinant, Orientation
  • Eigenvalues and eigenvectors: Definition and diagonalizability criterion, characteristic polynomial and trigonalizability, theorem of Cayley-Hamilton, fundamental theorems

 

Lineare Algebra II für Physikstudierende (MAT142)

  • Tensors
  • Infinitely dimensional vector spaces

 

Artificial Intelligence and Critical Thinking AI 111 and AI121

By the end of this lecture, students will understand the fundamentals of critical thinking, scientific logic, and the potential role of AI tools in the sciences. They should be able to critically evaluate the implementation of AI in the scientific method and demonstrate AI literacy. 

Specific goals: - Explain the process and goals of critical thinking and the idealized scientific method and workflows, including critiques of them, especially when these are relevant to the use of AI tools.
Differentiate exploratory vs. confirmatory experiments.   

  • Describe at a surface level the functioning of key AI tools and their limitations (help prevent students from thinking that their LLM is becoming conscious/sentient)
  • Define core AI terminology (AI, ML, DL, GenAI, LLM, dataset, feature, training/inference, bias, hallucination, prompt).
  • Apply effective prompting and evaluation techniques - structure prompts (roles, goals, constraints), assess AI outputs for completeness, factuality, and bias, and explore retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) concepts.
  • Describe the environmental impacts of AI use. Explain methods to counter AI fatigue, skill stunting, and skill atrophy
  • Describe how AI tools can be implemented within scientific research, including writing, editing, coding.
  • Apply critical thinking to evaluate AI implementations in science.
  • Identify appropriate and inappropriate uses of AI in the scientific method.
  • Assess the reliability and limitations of AI-generated scientific outputs. Describe the significance and limitations of foundation models.
  • Reflect on ethical, legal, privacy and safety aspects - recognize bias and fairness issues, understand data protection, and practice responsible AI use in academic and everyday contexts. 
  • FAQ here: https://dm3l.uzh.ch/studies/faq-modul-ai-critical-thinking

Study guide

The Guide to Physics Studies provides comprehensive information about the Bachelor's and Master's programs.

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