Course syllabus
Course-PM
FFY621 FFY621 Physics for engineers lp2 HT25 (7.5 hp)
Course is offered by the Department of Physics
The course is held in English
Contact details
Examiner/teacher
Uta Hejral (hejral@chalmers.se)
Teaching Assistants
Finja Tietjen (finja.tietjen@chalmers.se)
Maike Fahrensohn (maike.fahrensohn@chalmers.se)
Felix Simon (felix.simon@chalmers.se)
Simon Niederkofler (simon.niederkofler@chalmers.se)
Course purpose
In this course, we will cover an introduction into university physics. The main areas in this course are: Mechanics, relativity, wave motion theory, quantum physics and material physics. We will:
- introduce material body motion laws, principles, and applications.
- describe the special theory of relativity and its implications.
- describe, explain and discuss applications of mechanical and electromagnetic wave propagation.
- discuss how physical laws and phenomena applied to the microscopic world can be explained
Schedule
Course literature
University Physics by Hugh D. Young and Roger A. Freedman, 15th edition (ISBN 9781292314730) at Chalmers Library
The literature can also be purchased as online version:
Course design
The course is based on lectures, exercises, tutorials (that give bonus point for the exam) and a mandatory demonstration laboratory.
Description of the course's learning activities; how they are implemented and how they are connected. This is the student's guide to navigating the course. Do not forget to give the student advice on how to learn as much as possible based on the pedagogy you have chosen. Often, you may need to emphasize concrete things like how often they should enter the learning space on the learning platform, how different issues are shared between supervisors, etc.
The course contains the following:
- lectures: are the backbone of the course, the lecture notes summarize the most important concepts. The lecture notes are uploaded to Canvas. There are 2 flipped classroom sessions (in lecture 2 and lecture 6), the instructional videos are uploaded to Canvas.
- weekly exercises: provide a summary of the last lectures, the teaching assistants demonstrate how selected example problems are solved, after that the other problems are solved in small student groups. The weekly problems that will be discussed are summarized in a week plan.
- laboratory work: the STM demonstration lab is mandatory. The literature to read and instructions are uploaded to the Canvas page. Different lab slots are available, students can sign up on the Canvas page (Group tool).
- tutorials: there are 2 elective tutorials. In the exercise tutorial a set of problems will be uploaded to the Canvas page on the first day of lectures. They are to be handed in individually on December 11th at 10:00, followed by a session in which the problems will be discussed. The experimental tutorial will take place on November 27th, in which the students perform an experiment on diffraction in groups of 2-3 students. A lab report per group has to be handed in 2 weeks after the tutorial. Instructions to the experimental tutorial will be uploaded to the Canvas page 2 weeks before the tutorial.
- feedback: is very welcome and will be discussed in the course evaluation meetings. The course evaluation meeting minutes will be uploaded to the Canvas page.
Changes made since the last occasion
Since the last occasion the number of teachers has been decreased from 2 to 1. Since the second-last occasion we have included 2 voluntary tutorials and 2 flipped classromm sessions.
Learning objectives and syllabus
Learning objectives:
- describe principles and theorems for the structure and dynamics of matter as well as the causes of motion of matter
- express mathematical models based on technical or physical issues
- describe basic concepts in physics and technology, mainly the energy concept
- make simpler calculations in fundamental quantum physics and be able to understand the built up of atoms and solids
- describe and exemplify the importance of quantum physics for modern technical applications
Link to the syllabus on Studieportalen:
https://www.chalmers.se/en/education/your-studies/find-course-and-programme-syllabi/course-syllabus/FFY621/?acYear=2025/2026
Examination form
To pass the course you need:
- to pass the final written examination
- approved laboratory
Examination: written examination with maximum 41 points
grading limits: 18p (3:a), 26p (4:a) och 35p (5:a)
Allowed aids:
- Chalmers approved calculator (CASIO FX-82... , TEXAS TI-30... , Sharp EL-W53... , Sharp EL-531...)
- formula collection of your choice, for example, Physics Handbook, Tefyma, or gymnasietabell (no annotations in the books)
- hand-written formula sheet A4, front and back
Passing the two voluntary tutorials will give you one bonus point each in the final exam (max 2 bonus points).
Written examination dates:
- Thu 15/01-2026
- Thu 09/04-2026
- Fri 28/08-2026
Course summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
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