- Students are to follow the requirements of the Handbook for the year they commenced the course.
However, the subject links below do not contain the subject information for the current year. You can view current subject information through the new Course Handbook.
Bachelor of Science (Physics)
Testamur Title of Degree: |
Bachelor of Science (Physics) |
Abbreviation: |
BSc (Physics) |
Home Faculty: |
Faculty of Engineering |
Duration: |
3 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
Total Credit Points: |
144 |
Delivery Mode: |
Face-to-face |
Starting Session(s): |
Autumn/Spring |
Location: |
Wollongong |
Approx. UAI Entry: |
75 |
Assumed Knowledge: |
Any two units of English plus Mathematics |
Recommended Studies: |
HSC Mathematics Ext. 1 plus Chemistry or Physics |
UOW Course Code: |
757 |
UAC Code: |
757637 |
CRICOS Code: |
031274F |
Overview / Course Aims
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, and 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. Variations to the programs listed below are allowed at the discretion of the Physics Academic Advisor, provided that the following minimum criteria are followed: 12 credit points of 100- level Maths, 12 credit points of 200- level Maths, 12 credit points of 100- level Physics, 24 credit points of 200- level Physics, 24 credit points of 300- level Physics, provided that the program meets the accreditation requirements of the Australian Institute of Physics.
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 - 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.
Further Studies Options
Graduates can apply for entry to Honours in Physics, and then Master of Science - Research or PhD.
Career Opportunities
Opportunities exist in teaching, administration, scientific communication, computing and research.
Basic Major Program in Physics
Subject |
Session |
Credit Points | |
Year 1 | |||
MATH187 |
Mathematics 1: Algebra and Differential Calculus |
Autumn |
6 |
PHYS141 |
Fundamentals Physics A |
Autumn |
6 |
MATH188 |
Mathematics 2: Series and Integral Calculus |
Spring |
6 |
PHYS142 |
Fundamentals Physics B |
Spring |
6 |
plus four electives (6 credit points each) |
24 | ||
Year 2 | |||
MATH201 |
Multivariate and Vector Calculus |
Autumn |
6 |
MATH203 |
Linear Algebra |
Autumn |
6 |
PHYS205 |
Advanced Modern Physics |
Autumn |
6 |
PHYS235 |
Mechanics and Thermodynamics |
Autumn |
6 |
MATH202 |
Differential Equations 2 |
Spring |
6 |
PHYS215 |
Vibrations, Waves and Optics |
Spring |
6 |
PHYS225 |
Electromagnetism and Optoelectronics |
Spring |
6 |
plus one elective |
6 | ||
Year 3 | |||
PHYS305 |
Quantum Mechanics |
Autumn |
6 |
PHYS325 |
Electromagnetism |
Autumn |
6 |
plus two of the following subjects: | |||
PHYS356 |
Physics of Detectors and Imaging |
Autumn |
6 |
PHYS375 |
Nuclear Physics |
Spring |
6 |
PHYS385 |
Statistical Mechanics |
Spring |
6 |
PHYS390 |
Astrophysics |
Spring |
6 |
PHYS396 |
Electronic Materials |
Spring |
6 |
Plus an additional 24 credit points of subjects taken from the Science or Engineering Schedules. | |||
Full Major Program in Physics
Subject |
Session |
Credit Points | |
Year 1 | |||
MATH141 |
Foundations of Engineering Mathematics |
Autumn |
6 |
or | |||
MATH187 |
Mathematics 1: Algebra and Differential Calculus |
Autumn |
6 |
PHYS141 |
Fundamentals Physics A |
Autumn |
6 |
MATH142 |
Essentials of Engineering Mathematics |
Spring |
6 |
or | |||
MATH188 |
Mathematics 2: Series and Integral Calculus |
Spring |
6 |
PHYS142 |
Fundamentals Physics B |
Spring |
6 |
PHYS295 |
Astronomy - Concepts of the Universe |
Spring |
6 |
plus three electives |
18 | ||
Year 2 | |||
MATH201 |
Multivariate and Vector Calculus |
Autumn |
6 |
MATH203 |
Linear Algebra |
Autumn |
6 |
PHYS205 |
Advanced Modern Physics |
Autumn |
6 |
PHYS235 |
Mechanics and Thermodynamics |
Autumn |
6 |
MATH202 |
Differential Equations 2 |
Spring |
6 |
MATH204 |
Complex Variables and Group Theory |
Spring |
6 |
PHYS215 |
Vibrations, Waves and Optics |
Spring |
6 |
PHYS225 |
Electromagnetism and Optoelectronics |
Spring |
6 |
Year 3 | |||
PHYS305 |
Quantum Mechanics |
Autumn |
6 |
PHYS325 |
Electromagnetism |
Autumn |
6 |
PHYS356 |
Physics of Detectors and Imaging |
Autumn |
6 |
PHYS375 |
Nuclear Physics |
Spring |
6 |
PHYS385 |
Statistical Mechanics |
Spring |
6 |
PHYS390 |
Astrophysics |
Spring |
6 |
PHYS396 |
Electronic Materials |
Spring |
6 |
plus one elective |
6 | ||
Physics Electives
Subject |
Session |
Credit Points | |
Year 1 | |||
PHYS141 |
Fundamentals of Physics A |
Autumn |
6 |
PHYS142 |
Fundamentals of Physics B |
Spring |
6 |
PHYS143 |
Physics for Engineers |
Spring |
6 |
PHYS155 |
Introduction to Biomedical Physics |
Autumn |
6 |
Year 2 | |||
PHYS205 |
Modern Physics |
Autumn |
6 |
PHYS235 |
Mechanics and Thermodynamics |
Autumn |
6 |
PHYS206 |
Project in Physics |
Autumn/Spring |
6 |
PHYS215 |
Vibrations, Waves and Optics |
Spring |
6 |
PHYS225 |
Electromagnetism and Optoelectronics |
Spring |
6 |
PHYS255 |
Radiation Physics |
Spring |
6 |
PHYS295 |
Astronomy - Concepts of the Universe |
Spring |
6 |
Year 3 | |||
PHYS305 |
Quantum Mechanics |
Autumn |
6 |
PHYS325 |
Electromagnetism |
Autumn |
6 |
PHYS356 |
Physics of Detectors and Imaging |
Autumn |
6 |
PHYS365 |
Detection of Radiation: Neutrons, Electrons and X Rays |
Autumn |
6 |
PHYS306 |
Project in Physics |
Autumn/Spring |
6 |
PHYS375 |
Nuclear Physics |
Spring |
6 |
PHYS385 |
Statistical Mechanics |
Spring |
6 |
PHYS390 |
Astrophysics |
Spring |
6 |
PHYS396 |
Electronic Materials |
Spring |
6 |
Year 4 | |||
PHYS405 |
Honours in Physics |
Annual |
48 |
PHYS444 |
Quantum Mechanics |
Annual |
8 |
PHYS446 |
Solid State Physics |
Annual |
8 |
PHYS451 |
Nuclear Medicine |
Annual |
8 |
PHYS452 |
Medical Imaging |
Annual |
8 |
PHYS456 |
Imaging Physics |
Annual |
8 |
PHYS401 |
Theoretical Mechanics and Electromagnetism |
Autumn |
8 |
PHYS457 |
Research Project |
Autumn/Spring |
24 |
PHYS441 |
Advanced Astrophysics |
Spring |
4 |
PHYS453 |
Radiobiology and Radiation Protection |
Spring |
8 |
Physics Electives
Subjects offered by non-member Departments of the Faculty of Engineering toward the Physics Program:
Subject |
Credit Points | |
CSCI103 |
Algorithms and Problem Solving |
6 |
CSCI114 |
Procedural Programming |
6 |
CSCI124 |
Applied 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 |
MATH283 |
Mathematics IIE for Engineers Part 1 |
6 |
MATH293 |
Complex Variables |
4 |
STAT231 |
Probability and Random Variables |
6 |