Physics

The School of Physics is part of the Faculty of Science. Units of study in this major are available at mainstream and advanced level.

About the major

Physics is the basis of most of the sciences. Techniques developed by physicists are used across the sciences, e.g, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, radio-carbon dating, medical resonance imaging, nuclear medicine, atomic absorption spectroscopy and electron microscopy.

Physics is a generalist major that, instead of preparing you for a narrow career path in just one area, allows you great freedom of choice in your ultimate employment. This may appeal to students who have not yet committed themselves to one career choice. Skills acquired during a Physics major, such as problem solving, information handling, critical reasoning, logical thought, clear communication, experimentation, and use of computers as an analysis tool are much in demand in many fields of employment. You may end up as a professional physicist, but equally these skills are valued for a job in medicine, communications, manufacturing, teaching, journalism, public service, management, finance, and many more.

Requirements for completion

A major in Physics requires 48 credit points, consisting of:

(i) 12 credit points of 1000-level core units
(ii) 12 credit points of 2000-level core units
(iii) 18 credit points of 3000-level core units
(iv) 6 credit points of 3000-level selective units

A minor in Physics is available and is a subset of the major.

First year

The 1000-level Physics units of study are designed to give students from all backgrounds an introduction to the discipline of Physics. They are equally valuable as a self-contained introductory study of Physics for students who are intending to major in other disciplines, and as a solid foundation for further study, possibly leading to a major or minor in Physics.

Study of 1000-level Physics involves choosing 12 credit points of units comprising one unit in Semester 1 and one unit in Semester 2. For students who have a background in Physics at school, choices in Semester 1 are PHYS1001 or PHYS1901 or PHYS1903, our mainstream, advanced, or SSP units respectively. PHYS1002 is our Semester 1 unit for students without a background in secondary-level Physics. In Semester 2, mainstream students can choose between PHYS1003 or PHYS1004, emphasising applications of Physics to technology or the life sciences, respectively. High achieving students should choose between PHYS1902 or PHYS1904, our advanced or SSP units.

Physics also offers elective 1000-level units in Semester 2. PHYS1500 Astronomy and COSC1003/1903 Computational Science are provided to broaden the student experience but are not required for continuing into second year Physics units. These are available as elective units in Table S, the Shared Pool of units for Undergraduate Degrees.

Second year

Physics has much to offer beyond first year. The School of Physics offers seven distinct units of 2000-level Physics.

To major in Physics, a student must complete PHYS2011 (a mainstream unit) or PHYS2911 (an advanced unit) in Semester 1, and PHYS2012 (mainstream) or PHYS2912 (advanced) in Semester 2.

For students intending to major in Physics, we also strongly recommend the second semester units PHYS2013 (mainstream) or PHYS2913 (advanced). In addition we offer the unit PHYS2213 for Electrical Engineers. These are available as elective units in Table S, the Shared Pool of units for Undergraduate Degrees.

Students intending to complete a major or a minor in Physics should also study MATH2021/2921 in the second year of their degree.

Third year

Third year Physics completes a major in Physics, rounding out a student's knowledge in the core subjects (electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, and statistical mechanics), and providing additional coverage of a range of topics (astrophysics, computational physics, condensed matter physics, high energy physics, optics, plasma physics). From 2019 the third year includes a disciplinary project and an interdisciplinary experience.

The core mainstream/advanced units from 2019 are PHYS3050/PHYS3950 in Semester 1 and PHYS3053/PHYS3953 in Semester 2. The other required unit for a major is the project unit PHYS3051/PHYS3951, which is offered in Semester 1 or Semester 2. In addition there are two selective units (PHYS3052/PHYS3952 and PHYS3054/PHYS3954), offered in Semesters 1 and 2 respectively.

Fourth year

The fourth year is only offered within the combined Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Advanced Studies course.

Advanced Coursework
The Bachelor of Advanced Studies advanced coursework option consists of 48 credit points, which must include a minimum of 24 credit points in a single subject area such as Physics at 4000-level. That 24 credit points must include a project unit of study worth at least 12 credit points.

24 credit points of advanced study coursework units in Physics will be available in 2020.

Honours
Requirements for Honours in Physics: completion of 24 credit points of project work and 24 credit points of coursework in nominated units, of which 18 credit points must be Physics units. Note that the combined Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Advanced Studies requires two majors (one of which will be Physics) that should be completed before commencing Honours.

Honours units of study will be available in 2020.

Contact and further information

Address:
School of Physics
Physics Office, Room 210, Building A28
University of Sydney NSW 2006

Physics Student Services
E

T +61 2 9351 3037

Associate Professor Michael Wheatland
E
T +61 2 9351 5965

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate a coherent understanding of the nature of Physics by:

• Articulating how Physics uses observations of relationships between measurable quantities to create conceptual frameworks which can be used to explain, interpret and predict other observations.
• Identifying the role of fundamental Physics concepts in a variety of different contexts.
• Explaining the role and relevance of Physics in society and the development and application of technology.

2. Exhibit well-developed depth and breadth of scientific knowledge in Physics and in the related disciplinary area of mathematics.

3. Critically analyse physical situations by:

• Gathering, documenting, organising, synthesising and critically evaluating information from a range of sources, both scientific and from the wider community.
• Designing, planning, carrying out and refining a Physics experiment or investigation.
• Selecting and critically evaluating practical, computational and/or theoretical techniques or tools in order to conduct an investigation.
• Applying appropriate Physics concepts to the interpretation of experimental or observational data and the drawing of conclusions from that data.

4. Be effective communicators of Physics by:

• Communicating Physics data, results and analysis, to a range of audiences, for a range of purposes, and using a variety of modes.
• Understanding and interpreting arguments or opinions based on Physics, presented by others.

5. Be accountable for their own learning and scientific work by:

• Being independent and self-directed learners.
• Working effectively, responsibly and safely in an individual or team context.
• Demonstrating an ability to manage a project based on applications of physical principles.
• Exhibiting intellectual integrity and practising ethical conduct.