Overview

The Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Physics) - 4 years requires 4 years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time). The course specialisation is offered by the College of Science and Engineering.The Major in Nuclear Engineering is only available to students who are Australian Citizens.

Course offerings

Bedford Park

Courses / qualifications may not be offered in all locations and modes each year.  For more information on Mode of Delivery, visit Mode definitions

Student guidance

Study planner
Program of study overview
Program of study notes

Program of study
144 Units

Year 136 Units
Year 236 Units
Year 336 Units
Year 436 Units
Major36 Units
Honours Program36 Units

Admission requirements

Admission requirements
Assumed knowledge
English Language requirements

Aims

The course specialisation aims to provide students with an extended foundation in physics and mathematics together with the ability to acquire extensive subject knowledge in the discipline.

It also aims to develop a range of transferable research, analytical and communication skills including the capacity to:

  • Understand physics at a deeper level
  • Understand and apply relevant scientific principles in a physics context. In particular this involves development of an intuitive knowledge of physics principles, and having a maths ability that serves as a language for physics and for applications of physics
  • Appreciate the nature of experiment design and execution, and to understand the principles of operation of scientific instruments commonly used in physics
  • Retrieve and present information about physics in a scientific manner, including communicating effectively with a variety of audiences in written and spoken form
  • Structure problems in physics, develop computational skills to model and analyse problems, be able to use critical thinking, be able to rationalise by having an intuitive understanding for the physical processes and being able to self-correct misunderstandings
  • Engage positively with people and ideas beyond the discipline
  • Work independently and take responsibility for updating and adapting their knowledge and skills
  • Appreciate the role of physics in society, and the ethical issues it raises
  • Work cooperatively and productively within a team
  • Undertake an individual research project in an area of physics, from planning to execution
  • Understand and apply advanced physics principles to solve problems
  • Present information about physics in a scientific manner, including communicating effectively

The course specialisation provides the foundations that will underpin ongoing professional development, preparing graduates for further study in physics or another science or non-science related discipline or for a career in a physics related field or in other areas where the range of skills and knowledge acquired is needed or desirable.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course you will be able to:
1.
Give an extended account of the foundations of physics
2.
Demonstrate knowledge of and critically apply the theories, subject content, professional methodologies and research procedures relevant to the discipline of physics
3.
Describe the processes through which current knowledge about the discipline of physics was developed
4.
Analyse and critically evaluate ideas/information/data and apply relevant scientific principles to solve problems by, for example, creating hypotheses, testing theories and predictions, designing and carrying out experiments and analysing reported data
5.
Communicate your findings to a variety of audiences in written and spoken form
6.
Appreciate that there are relationships and connections between physics and other science and non-science disciplines and understand such relationships and connections in respect physics
7.
Work and learn independently and appreciate the need for continuing professional development
8.
Interact effectively as part of a team in order to achieve common goals
9.
Have an intuitive level of understanding of the physical processes and being able to identify and self-correct misunderstandings
10.
Engage positively with people and ideas beyond the discipline
11.
Work independently and take responsibility for updating and adapting their knowledge and skills
12.
Appreciate the role of physics in society, and the ethical issues it raises
13.
Work cooperatively and productively within a team
14.
Plan and execute an individual research project in chemistry applying relevant methodologies and knowledge

Student progression rules

Students achieving a GPA of at least 5 in their last 36 units of study after completing 103.5 units of study will be eligible to continue into fourth year of the course. Students who do not meet the GPA requirement will be able to exit with Bachelor of Science (Physics) on completion of 108 units according to the first three years of study in the degree.

Associations

Course/Course specialisation association
Course/Exit award association
Honours - Embedded/Bachelor association