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Bachelor of Science (Physics)
Overview
Physics, as one of the fundamental sciences, provides the basis for making, interpreting and extending observations relating to the behaviour and structure of matter. Physics is fundamental to the study of all sciences and has a key role to play in generating and supporting new technologies. Students majoring in Physics study mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, vibrations, waves, optics, modern, quantum and statistical mechanics, complemented by a number of advanced mathematics subjects.
Course Requirements
All students must complete the required number of credit points and satisfy all course requirements for the degree - refer to course structures below. The Bachelor of Science (Physics) normally takes three years to complete. All students must take particular notice of the Course Rules regarding minimum rate of progress.
The formal contact hours, methods of teaching and learning and forms of assessment vary from subject to subject. Details will be provided to students at the commencement of each subject by the subject coordinator. Students should attend all classes including lectures, tutorials and laboratory classes.
Study Options
Two major programs in Physics are offered:
• Basic Major Program in Physics - a basic Physics program, designed with a minimum of compulsory subjects for combining with an array of elective subjects or a second major in another discipline.
• Full Major Program - a full Physics program for students planning to undertake Honours and to pursue a career as a professional physicist.
The two programs are outlined below.
Honours
Students with a good academic record are encouraged to proceed to Honours year, a fourth year of study providing training in independent research.
Professional Recognition
The Bachelor of Science (Physics) degree conforms to the requirements for membership of the Australian Institute of Physics.
Basic Major Program in Physics - 90cp
| Year 1 - Autumn |
| PHYS141 |
Fundamentals of Physics A |
6 |
| MATH187 |
Mathematics 1A Part 1 |
6 |
| or |
| MATH141 |
Mathematics 1C Part 1 |
6 |
| Year 1 - Spring |
| MATH188 |
Mathematics 1A Part 2 |
6 |
| or |
| MATH142 |
Mathematics 1C Part 2 |
6 |
| PHYS142 |
Fundamentals of Physics B |
6 |
| plus 4 electives |
| Year 2 Autumn |
| MATH201 |
Multivariate and Vector Calculus |
6 |
| MATH253 |
Linear Algebra |
4 |
| PHYS205 |
Advanced Modern Physics |
6 |
| PHYS235 |
Mechanics and Thermodynamics |
6 |
| Year 2 Spring |
| MATH291 |
Differential Equations |
3 |
| PHYS215 |
Vibrations, Waves and Optics |
6 |
| PHYS225 |
Electromagnetism and Optoelectronics |
6 |
| plus |
1 Elective |
6 |
| Year 3 |
| PHYS305 |
Quantum Mechanics (Autumn) |
6 |
| PHYS325 |
Electromagnetism (Autumn) |
6 |
| and two of the following subjects:: |
| PHYS335 |
Classical Mechanics (Autumn) |
6 |
| PHYS375 |
Nuclear Physics (Spring) |
6 |
| PHYS385 |
Statistical Mechanics (Spring) |
6 |
| PHYS390 |
Astrophysics (Spring) |
6 |
| PHYS396 |
Electronic Materials (Spring) |
6 |
Plus additional 12 cp of subjects taken from the Science
or Engineering
Schedule
Full Major Program in Physics - 108cp
| Year 1 - Autumn |
| PHYS141 |
Fundamentals of Physics A |
6 |
| MATH187 |
Mathematics 1A Part 1 |
6 |
| or |
| MATH141 |
Mathematics 1C Part 1 |
6 |
| Year 1 - Spring |
| MATH188 |
Mathematics 1A Part 2 |
6 |
| or |
| MATH142 |
Mathematics 1C Part 2 |
6 |
| PHYS142 |
Fundamentals of Physics B |
6 |
| plus 4 electives |
| Year 2 Autumn |
| MATH201 |
Multivariate and Vector Calculus |
6 |
| MATH253 |
Linear Algebra |
4 |
| PHYS205 |
Advanced Modern Physics |
6 |
| PHYS235 |
Mechanics and Thermodynamics |
6 |
| Year 2 Spring |
| MATH291 |
Differential Equations |
3 |
| MATH293 |
Complex Variables |
4 |
| PHYS215 |
Vibrations, Waves and Optics |
6 |
| PHYS225 |
Electromagnetism and Optoelectronics |
6 |
| PHYS295 |
Astronomy - Concepts of the Universe |
6 |
| Year 3 - Autumn |
| PHYS305 |
Quantum Mechanics |
6 |
| PHYS325 |
Electromagnetism |
6 |
| PHYS335 |
Classical Mechanics |
6 |
| Year 3 - Spring |
| PHYS375 |
Nuclear Physics |
6 |
| PHYS385 |
Statistical Mechanics |
6 |
| PHYS390 |
Astrophysics |
6 |
| PHYS396 |
Electronic Materials |
6 |
Physics Electives
Subjects
| Year 1 - Autumn |
|
| PHYS131 |
Physics for the Environmental and Life Sciences A |
6 |
| PHYS141 |
Fundamentals of Physics A |
6 |
| Year 1 - Spring |
|
| PHYS132 |
Physics for the Environmental and Life Sciences B |
6 |
| PHYS142 |
Fundamentals of Physics B |
6 |
| PHYS143 |
Physics for Engineers |
6 |
| Year 2 - Autumn |
|
| PHYS205 |
Modern Physics |
6 |
| PHYS235 |
Mechanics and Thermodynamics |
6 |
| Year 2 - Autumn or Spring |
|
| PHYS206 |
Project in Physics |
6 |
| Year 2 - Spring |
|
| PHYS215 |
Vibrations, Waves and Optics |
6 |
| PHYS225 |
Electromagnetism and Optoelectronics |
6 |
| PHYS255 |
Radiation Physics |
6 |
| PHYS295 |
Astronomy - Concepts of the Universe |
6 |
| Year 3 - Autumn |
|
| PHYS305 |
Quantum Mechanics |
6 |
| PHYS325 |
Electromagnetism |
6 |
| PHYS335 |
Classical Mechanics |
6 |
| PHYS365 |
Detection of Radiation: Neutrons, Electrons and X-Rays |
6 |
| Year 3 - Autumn / Spring |
|
| PHYS306 |
Project in Physics |
6 |
| Year 3 - Spring |
|
| PHYS375 |
Nuclear Physics |
6 |
| PHYS385 |
Statistical Mechanics |
6 |
| PHYS390 |
Astrophysics |
6 |
| PHYS396 |
Electronic Materials |
6 |
| Year 4 - Annual |
|
| PHYS405 |
Honours in Physics |
48 |
| PHYS444 |
Quantum Mechanics |
8 |
| PHYS446 |
Solid State Physics |
8 |
| PHYS451 |
Nuclear Medicine |
8 |
| PHYS452 |
Medical Imaging |
8 |
| PHYS456 |
Imaging Physics |
8 |
| Year 4 - Autumn |
|
| PHYS401 |
Theoretical Mechanics and Electromagnetism |
8 |
| Year 4 - Autumn / Spring |
|
| PHYS457 |
Research Project |
24 |
| Year 4 - Spring |
|
| PHYS441 |
Advanced Astrophysics |
8 |
| PHYS453 |
Radiobiology and Radiation Protection |
8 |
Physics Electives
Subjects offered by non-member Departments of the Faculty of Engineering
toward the Physics Program:
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