It is the aim of the Department of Physics to provide all students with a professionally presented sequence of lectures and related practical work, whether they are intending to complete a pass, or higher, degree with a major in physics, or a small sub-set through service subjects. Specific aims and objectives for all subjects and units are provided to students at the commencement of their studies, and these objectives are regularly reviewed. The teaching objectives that cover all physics offerings are, that on successfully completing the course students will:
* demonstrate an ability to understand the concepts presented in each subject;
* be able to relate theoretical concepts to the relevant underlying experiments;
* in the case of physics subjects that require laboratory work, be able to demonstrate an ability to carry out laboratory exercises successfully and to analyse and draw appropriate conclusions from the data;
* be able to write a coherent account of laboratory work and/or write essays, as required, at a level appropriate to their peers and scientifically literate lay people;
* show an ability to assess and utilise existing knowledge from the library, data-bases and other resources during course;
* develop an awareness of applications of physics to many other disciplines.
Physics students will:
* have an understanding of the main ideas of physics as taught in each subject;
* be aware of the experimental basis of physics;
* develop laboratory skills and, progressively, experimental research skills;
* exhibit skills in problem solving;
* by third year, demonstrate an ability to make an oral presentation to their peers on a laboratory experiment.
Theoretical physics students will:
* demonstrate an ability to apply mathematical models to problems in physics;
* at third-year level, demonstrate an ability to use library resources in the preparation of essays and oral presentations for the seminar unit;
* show an ability to write a coherent account of a frontier area of physics and to make an oral presentation;
* demonstrate a capacity to assess and make judgements regarding different theoretical models.
Applied physics/Image processing students will:
* have an understanding of the principles governing experimental work in selected topics of applied physics and/or image processing, and the theories associated with signal processing and data analysis;
* have demonstrated the ability to acquire, analyse and report on experimental data and discuss and defend the conclusions both orally and in writing;
* be able to demonstrate an ability to meet deadlines in the preparation of reports;
* show an ability to assess and utilise existing knowledge from the library, data-bases and other resources during the course;
* be able to critically assess previous work and transmit this information to both their peers and scientifically literate lay people.
The discipline
Physics is a major branch of modern science that provides a basis for an understanding of the physical world. Many of the important methods and techniques found in other branches of science and technology owe their existence to the practice of physics. The discipline of physics ranges from the very practical, such as an explanation as to why an integrated circuit works, to fundamental philosophical questions about reality. A course of study in physics provides a sound scientific background for today's complex and technologically oriented world.
The Department of Physics provides a range of subjects for those who wish to specialise in experimental physics, theoretical physics and applied physics, and also for students whose principal interests are in other branches of science. The department also provides subjects in materials science and image processing at both second and third-year levels, and in astronomy at the second-year level.
Most subjects offered by the department comprise lectures, problem classes, assignments and laboratory work. Except for third and fourth-year theoretical physics, practical work is an important part of all the undergraduate subjects in physics, and attendance in the laboratories is compulsory.
Undue specialisation is avoided in the first three years (to pass BSc). In subsequent years (BSc honours, MSc, MAppSc and PhD) opportunities exist for specialisation within the fields of theoretical physics, experimental physics, astrophysics, applied physics, image processing and materials science. For details of materials science, see separate entry.