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Bachelor of Science (Physics)
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.
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.
Course Program
| Basic Major Program in Physics
|
| Subjects |
|
Credit Points |
| Year 1 |
| MATH187 |
Mathematics 1A Part 1 |
6 |
| or |
| MATH141 |
Mathematics 1C Part 1 |
6 |
| PHYS141 |
Fundamentals of Physics A |
6 |
| MATH188 |
Mathematics 1A Part 2 |
6 |
| or |
| MATH142 |
Mathematics 1C Part 2 |
6 |
| PHYS142 |
Fundamentals of Physics B |
6 |
| plus 4 Electives |
24 |
| Year 2 |
| MATH201 |
Multivariate and Vector Calculus |
6 |
| MATH253 |
Linear Algebra |
4 |
| PHYS205 |
Advanced Modern Physics |
6 |
| PHYS235 |
Mechanics and Thermodynamics |
6 |
| MATH291 |
Differential Equations |
3 |
| PHYS215 |
Vibrations, Waves and Optics |
6 |
| PHYS225 |
Electromagnetism and Optoelectronics |
6 |
| plus 2 Electives |
12 |
| 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
|
| Year 1 |
| MATH187 |
Mathematics 1A Part 1 |
6 |
| or |
| MATH141 |
Mathematics 1C Part 1 |
6 |
| PHYS141 |
Fundamentals of Physics A |
6 |
| MATH188 |
Mathematics 1A Part 2 |
6 |
| or |
| MATH142 |
Mathematics 1C Part 2 |
6 |
| PHYS142 |
Fundamentals of Physics B |
6 |
| plus 4 electives |
24 |
| Year 2 |
| MATH201 |
Multivariate and Vector Calculus |
6 |
| MATH203 |
Linear Algebra |
6 |
| PHYS205 |
Advanced Modern Physics |
6 |
| PHYS235 |
Mechanics and Thermodynamics |
6 |
| 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 |
| PHYS305 |
Quantum Mechanics |
6 |
| PHYS325 |
Electromagnetism |
6 |
| PHYS335 |
Classical Mechanics |
6 |
| PHYS375 |
Nuclear Physics |
6 |
| PHYS385 |
Statistical Mechanics |
6 |
| PHYS390 |
Astrophysics |
6 |
| PHYS396 |
Electronic Materials |
6 |
| |
| Physics Electives
|
| Year 1 |
|
| PHYS131 |
Physics for the Environmental and Life Sciences A |
6 |
| PHYS141 |
Fundamentals of Physics A |
6 |
| PHYS132 |
Physics for the Environmental and Life Sciences B |
6 |
| PHYS142 |
Fundamentals of Physics B |
6 |
| PHYS143 |
Physics for Engineers |
6 |
| Year 2 |
|
| PHYS205 |
Modern Physics |
6 |
| PHYS235 |
Mechanics and Thermodynamics |
6 |
| PHYS206 |
Project in Physics |
6 |
| PHYS215 |
Vibrations, Waves and Optics |
6 |
| PHYS225 |
Electromagnetism and Optoelectronics |
6 |
| PHYS255 |
Radiation Physics |
6 |
| PHYS295 |
Astronomy - Concepts of the Universe |
6 |
| Year 3 |
|
| PHYS305 |
Quantum Mechanics |
6 |
| PHYS325 |
Electromagnetism |
6 |
| PHYS335 |
Classical Mechanics |
6 |
| PHYS365 |
Detection of Radiation: Neutrons, Electrons and X-Rays |
6 |
| PHYS306 |
Project in Physics |
6 |
| PHYS375 |
Nuclear Physics |
6 |
| PHYS385 |
Statistical Mechanics |
6 |
| PHYS390 |
Astrophysics |
6 |
| PHYS396 |
Electronic Materials |
6 |
| Year 4 |
|
| 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 |
| PHYS401 |
Theoretical Mechanics and Electromagnetism |
8 |
| PHYS457 |
Research Project |
24 |
| PHYS441 |
Advanced Astrophysics |
8 |
| PHYS453 |
Radiobiology and Radiation Protection |
8 |
| Other subjects offered by non-member Departments of the Faculty of Engineering toward the Physics Program: |
| CSCI103 |
Algorithims and Problem Solving |
6 |
| CSCI114 |
Procedural Programming |
6 |
| CSCI124 |
Object Programming |
6 |
| MATH187 |
Mathematics 1A Part 1 |
6 |
| MATH188 |
Mathematics 1A Part 2 |
6 |
| MATH141 |
Mathematics 1C Part 1 |
6 |
| MATH142 |
Mathematics 1C Part 2 |
6 |
| MATH201 |
Multivariate and Vector Calculus |
6 |
| MATH202 |
Differential Equations 2 |
6 |
| MATH203 |
Linear Algebra |
6 |
| MATH204 |
Complex Variables and Group Theory |
6 |
| MATH253 |
Linear Algebra |
4 |
| MATH283 |
Mathematics IIE for Engineers Part 1 |
6 |
| MATH291 |
Differential Equations |
3 |
| MATH293 |
Complex Variables |
4 |
| STAT231 |
Probability and Random Variables |
6 |
|
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