Bachelor of Arts (BA) - The University of Hong Kong

291PHYSICSSecond/Third YearThe Department of Physics offers the following courses:-PHYS0001.Nature of the Universe I: Introduction to observational astronomy and the solarsystem (3 credits)This general education course is designed as an elective for students in all disciplines and all years. Noprior knowledge in astronomy, physics, and higher mathematics is required.The course focuses on the observational aspect of astronomy (including constellations and planets) andthe physics of our solar system. It also provides students with a basic understanding of the relationshipof astronomy to life. Students are expected to participate actively in the night sky observations and fieldtrips.Prerequisite: Nil.Assessment: One 1-hour written examination (50% weighting) together with course work, field trips,laboratory work, and night sky observations (50% weighting).This course will be offered in the first semester.PHYS0002.Nature of the Universe II: Stars, galaxies and cosmology for beginners (3 credits)This general education course is designed as an elective for students in all disciplines and all years. Itfocuses on the theoretical aspect of astronomy. No prior knowledge in astronomy, physics, or highermathematics is required.Topics covered include our own Sun, stars and their evolution, galaxies, blackholes, and cosmology. Itwill also provide students with a basic understanding of how our nature works on the macroscopic level.Prerequisite: Nil.Assessment: One 1-hour written examination (50% weighting) together with course work, field trips,laboratory work, and night sky observations (50% weighting).This course will be offered in the second semester.PHYS0601.God, the big bang and Stephen Hawking I (3 credits)This course, named after a recently published book by David Wilkinson, is for both science andnon-science students to recognize the absence of any real conflict between science and religion. Thiscourse (part I) deals with religion and its interactions with cosmology.The universality of religious belief. Understanding different belief systems. Natural theology.Metaphysics. The methodology of science. Presuppositions and limitations of science. Scienceapplied to origins. An overview of relativity and quantum physics. Aristotelian cosmology.Copernican cosmology, The Galileo affair. Kantian cosmology. Big bang cosmology. Thecosmological argument for God's existence. Stephen Hawking's contributions to space-time theory.The Hartle-Hawking "no boundary" proposal. Stochastic inflation models. Complimentarity. Genesisone.Prerequisite: Nil.Assessment: 100% continuous assessment including an essay, homework and web-based tests.This course will be offered in the first semester.