Welcome · 0–5 minutes
FALL 2026 · 2026–27 TERM 1Student Centred Learning II
Your course guide for student solution presentations, assessment, semester dates, academic advising and learning opportunities.
75% solution presentations & participation · 25% written work
Submit your solution PDF to Blackboard before 10:30am on each problem-set date. Student presentations take place in MMW706.
Each unjustified absence lowers the final grade by one sub-grade; three or more result in F. Being 15 minutes late without acceptable justification counts as an absence. Assembly attendance follows the same rules.
AI tools are prohibited in all course learning activities and assessments.
Sign the academic honesty form and sign the attendance sheet at the beginning of every class.
What physics question would you like to understand better? What do you hope university will give you the chance to try?
Read the official course outline and check Blackboard for problem sets and course announcements. Departmental assemblies use the separate venues listed in the schedule.
Course outline · 5–15 minutes
PHYS2520 Student Centred Learning II · 2026–27 Term 1. The course details below follow the official student course outline (PDF). Group M’s classroom, confirmed by the instructor, is MMW706.
The course provides student-centred learning experience in a small-group setting. Students are required to study physics problems on selected topics relevant to introductory physics courses, present the solutions in class, and engage in discussion with classmates and the instructor. Emphasis is put on skills in self-study, problem solving, and especially presentation and communication skills.
Your presentation and participation in class
Your written work graded by TAs
Problem sets will be uploaded to Blackboard one week before the due date. For instance, problem set 1, due on 25 September, will be uploaded on 18 September. See the semester schedule for all dates.
Open Blackboard ↗ · CUHK Blackboard student information (link in the outline) ↗
Submit your homework as a PDF to Blackboard before class at 10:30am. Typing is not necessary. Late submission is not accepted unless you have a legitimate reason approved by your teacher, such as medical leave.
At the beginning of each class, sign the attendance sheet.
Present the solutions to the problems and/or listen to others’ presentations during class. Discuss the problems with the teacher and classmates. You are not allowed to amend your submitted work during class.
In Group M’s problem-set sessions, students present their solutions in MMW706, Friday 10:30–11:15am.
Students are not allowed to use any AI tools in any kind of learning activity or assessment in this course.
Attention is drawn to University policy and regulations on honesty in academic work, and to the disciplinary guidelines and procedures applicable to breaches of such policy and regulations.
Details: University policy on academic honesty ↗.
| Group | Teacher | Office | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | LAN Tian | SC G6 | tlan@cuhk.edu.hk | 3943-6368 |
| K | WANG Yi | SC 208 | yiwang@cuhk.edu.hk | 3943-6355 |
| L | LI Hua Bai | SC 305 | hbli@cuhk.edu.hk | 3943-1118 |
| M | YAN Yangqian | SC G9 | yqyan@cuhk.edu.hk | 3943-6396 |
Semester dates · 15–20 minutes
Problem-set sessions are student solution presentations in MMW706, Friday 10:30–11:15am. Submit your written solutions as a PDF before class at 10:30am; problem sets appear on Blackboard one week earlier.
| Date | Session | Where / reminder |
|---|---|---|
| 11 Sep | Consultation | Welcome, course guide & advising |
| 18 Sep | Departmental assembly | SC G25 |
| 25 Sep | Problem set 1 · student presentations | MMW706 · Available from 18 Sep |
| 2 Oct | Problem set 2 · student presentations | MMW706 · Submit before 10:30am |
| 9 Oct | Departmental assembly | SC G26 · different room |
| 16 Oct | Problem set 3 · student presentations | MMW706 · Submit before 10:30am |
| 23 Oct | Problem set 4 · student presentations | MMW706 · Submit before 10:30am |
| 30 Oct | Departmental assembly | SC G25 |
| 6 Nov | Problem set 5 · student presentations | MMW706 · Submit before 10:30am |
| 13 Nov | Problem set 6 · student presentations | MMW706 · Submit before 10:30am |
| 20 Nov | Departmental assembly | SC G25 |
| 27 Nov | Problem set 7 · student presentations | MMW706 · Submit before 10:30am |
| 4 Dec | Problem set 8 · student presentations | MMW706 · Submit before 10:30am |
Attend the departmental assembly in SC G25 (Science Centre North Block, Ground Floor, Room G25) on 18 September, 30 October and 20 November. On 9 October, attend the event in SC G26. The attendance requirements are the same as those in the assessment scheme.
Assembly rooms are in the Science Centre North Block, ground floor. Group M’s classroom is MMW706 (confirmed by the instructor). SC G9 is the instructor’s office. Schedule source: course outline, page 2.
On 9 October, where will you go? When is your first problem set due?
Your support network · 20–27 minutes
Your Level I academic advisor is a continuing point of contact for your studies and university life. Meet at least once a year; reach out earlier when you need a conversation.
Check your advisor assignment in MyCUHK/CUSIS, or ask the Physics General Office.
Your advisor can help you find support through your college, Student Affairs, financial aid, exchange services, or University Health Service. Additional academic support is available through Level II advising.
You are finding a course difficult and considering an overseas opportunity. What would you bring to an advising meeting? Choose one question and one useful piece of information.
Alumni sharing and mentorship can help you explore what physicists do after graduation. Ask about career paths, useful skills, and how interests can change over time.
Adapted from Learning Opportunities and Student Support at CUHK Physics (the supplied advising slides, 2022), with the advising framework checked against current departmental information. For alumni activities, start with the department homepage.
Beyond the classroom · 27–35 minutes
Research, exchange, teaching and placements offer different ways to discover where your physics can take you.
Summer Undergraduate Research Internship Programme: experience experimental or theoretical work in a departmental research group.
Explore local research ↗Summer Undergraduate Research Exchange: take part in research projects at institutions overseas.
Explore research exchange ↗Overseas Programme for Undergraduate Students: opportunities to study and carry out summer research outside Hong Kong.
Explore overseas study ↗Summer Teacher AppRenticeship: learn from experienced school teachers and explore an interest in physics education.
Explore teaching experience ↗A placement route to explore scientific work beyond the university. Check the current call for placement arrangements.
Explore placements ↗Look for physics study tours and exchange opportunities through the department, Faculty of Science, colleges and Office of Academic Links.
Explore study tours ↗Choose one opportunity. What attracts you to it, and what skill would you want to develop before applying?
Start by building your physics foundations, communicating clearly, and talking to people about their research. You can also ask your advisor about informal research projects and alumni connections.
Themes adapted from the supplied advising slides; programme names and links checked against the department’s opportunities guide. For eligibility, deadlines, destinations and funding, use each programme’s current announcement. The 2022 slides’ amounts and application dates are historical.
Getting started · 35–40 minutes
The department’s Welcome to Physics @ CUHK guide brings together six starting points.
Use the department’s learning modules to revisit a difficult idea or practise a technique.
The department lists admission scholarships, the Undergraduate Research Experience Grant (UREG), and other awards. Read the eligibility and continuation conditions before planning around an award.
Scholarships & grants ↗Use this official reference for programme requirements and course planning, and discuss individual planning questions with your academic advisor.
Open 2026-entry study scheme (PDF) ↗Questions & next steps · 40–45 minutes
What is still unclear about the course? Which support resource or learning opportunity will you explore first?