School of Physics - University of Wollongong – UOW

The School of Physics is a leader in the areas of medical radiation physics, condensed matter physics, terahertz science and technology, and applied superconductivity. We attract the very best researchers and partnerships with research institutions and universities from around the world in these areas. Our degrees are taught by academics at the forefront of their disciplines and fields of research, and are accredited by the Australian Institute of Physics. We will make sure you get more than a theoretical education. Our close industry ties with the ANSTO and CSIRO ensures you receive relevant industry exposure throughout your degree.

Top 150

UOW ranks among the world's top 150 universities for Physical Sciences.

Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by subject 2021

Top rated

Physics at UOW was given the maximum rating of "Well above world standard" in the 2018 Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) rankings.

ERA 2018

Research

We pursue novel, visionary research that drives a positive difference globally and is supported by our strong industry and university partner links. Explore some of the areas of research in which we excel.

Alumni

You can read about the latest achievements of fellow alumni through the UOW Outlook magazine.

Find out where a physics degree can take you

UOW lecturer and international researcher Associate Professor Susanna Guatelli and Medical and Radiation Physics graduate Sarah Vogel speak to us about what drives their interest in Physics—and where a physics degree can take you.

00:00

I was interested in physics since I was young. I loved astronomy mainly. And I think that travelled through my enjoyment of science throughout high school.

00:17

My favourite subject throughout the HSC was probably maths, and I still wanted to do something that helped people.

00:28

Physics is the study of nature, and it's thrilling. It has always inspired my curiosity to try to understand how the world or the universe works.

00:44

Physics is very different at university than it is in high school, where it's very narrow. The actual world of physics is far more broader and way more interesting.

00:54

I love the challenge of developing technology for tomorrow. To solve problems, ranging from sending human missions to Mars, to fighting against cancer and climate change.

01:10

A lot of our lecturers have been in industry or worked as part of medical physics been active in the field of physics before coming to teach.

01:21

Students have the opportunity to work with top researchers at UOW and also use our ongoing fruitful collaborations with industry, hospitals in Wollongong or Sydney, ANSTO, CSIRO.

01:43

My research has enabled me to go to many places and do different things such as work at the Synchrotron in Melbourne.

01:53

And I really enjoyed the research that we were able to do down there.

01:58

Students can access our international collaborations. For example, I collaborate with CERN in Switzerland or in the US with the Massachusetts General Hospital.

02:10

So students can be part of a very international cutting-edge research environment.

02:20

I come back every day because I know what I'm doing is useful and will change the lives of people. Maybe not next year or in five years.

02:34

But I do believe in ten years we will be able to see better and more effective treatments for really difficult-to-treat cancers.

02:43

And that's something I'm really proud to be part of.

00:00

I was interested in physics since I was young. I loved astronomy mainly. And I think that travelled through my enjoyment of science throughout high school.

00:17

My favourite subject throughout the HSC was probably maths, and I still wanted to do something that helped people.

00:28

Physics is the study of nature, and it's thrilling. It has always inspired my curiosity to try to understand how the world or the universe works.

00:44

Physics is very different at university than it is in high school, where it's very narrow. The actual world of physics is far more broader and way more interesting.

00:54

I love the challenge of developing technology for tomorrow. To solve problems, ranging from sending human missions to Mars, to fighting against cancer and climate change.

01:10

A lot of our lecturers have been in industry or worked as part of medical physics been active in the field of physics before coming to teach.

01:21

Students have the opportunity to work with top researchers at UOW and also use our ongoing fruitful collaborations with industry, hospitals in Wollongong or Sydney, ANSTO, CSIRO.

01:43

My research has enabled me to go to many places and do different things such as work at the Synchrotron in Melbourne.

01:53

And I really enjoyed the research that we were able to do down there.

01:58

Students can access our international collaborations. For example, I collaborate with CERN in Switzerland or in the US with the Massachusetts General Hospital.

02:10

So students can be part of a very international cutting-edge research environment.

02:20

I come back every day because I know what I'm doing is useful and will change the lives of people. Maybe not next year or in five years.

02:34

But I do believe in ten years we will be able to see better and more effective treatments for really difficult-to-treat cancers.

02:43

And that's something I'm really proud to be part of.

Latest News

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Friday 18 June 2021

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Wednesday 16 June 2021

UOW PhD student awarded Best Young Researchers presentation award

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Wednesday 14 April 2021

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Available courses for Physics

Undergraduate
Postgraduate

Doctor of Philosophy (Information Science)
Doctor of Philosophy (Physics)
Master of Philosophy (Physics)
Master of Research (Engineering and Information Sciences)
Master of Science (Medical Radiation Physics)