Physics (Advanced)

Those who study physics are fascinated by fundamental questions about the origin, nature and function of our Universe. Physics seeks to explain relationships involving the smallest and the largest structures, utilising the four known forces: strong, weak, electromagnetic and gravitational.

This major is part of the Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours), designed for high performing students to pursue their interest in Science through a core of research, leadership and entrepreneurship. The flexible and personalised approach to studying physics enables you to explore the field through for-credit immersive research experiences, industry placement and/or interdisciplinary team-based projects. It provides opportunities for you to source and undertake internal and external internships and immersive work experiences, which can be used for course credit.

Your capstone experience offers you the opportunity to pursue physics projects that may be based anywhere from pure research right through to translational (entrepreneurial) science.

You can gain considerable knowledge and skills, while conducting physics experiments and solving real-world problems mathematically or computationally, which find application in a wide range of careers.

The high-level mathematics and computer science in this course aligns it with high-profile international projects such as the Square Kilometre Array.

Work-based learning is ensured through the requirement to engage in immersive industry and/or research experience.

This major sits within the Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) degree. To apply for this major, you will apply for the Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours).

See our handbook for more course information.

Through embedded research and industry engagement, you'll have the opportunity to investigate multiple areas of specialisation and tailor a final-year experience that prepares you for the career of your choice.

• demonstrate an advanced knowledge of the nature of science, its methods and processes, and an advanced ability to apply physics knowledge and understanding to solve physics problems and recognise the limitations of physics theories and the problem solving capability of physics
• analyse challenging and multi-faceted problems and generate testable theories to examine them; generate innovative solutions to problems by designing and carrying out physics experiments, integrating new and established knowledge
• access and make judgements on the value of a wide variety of existing information in the physical sciences; compare, contrast and develop new interpretations using physical science results and information from a wide variety of sources on the basis of reliability, accuracy and precision
• communicate approaches, ideas, findings and solutions to problems concisely and coherently in a variety of modes to informed professional audiences
• design/build/use appropriate experimental apparatus or algorithms to solve problems; apply appropriate technologies to solving problems while evaluating their limitations and advantages
• understand that physics is a dynamic field of study; demonstrate initiative and intellectual independence by taking advantage of opportunities for continuing education
• consider problems in the physical sciences from a global perspective and recognise the inherent universal nature of the physical sciences
• work collaboratively and respectfully with colleagues from a range of cultural backgrounds and recognising that nature-physics and its language are a-cultural
• collaborate effectively as a leader of research or as part of a research team while applying an ethical approach to analysis of scientific data and information