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All areas of study information should be read in conjunction with the relevant course entry in the Handbook. The units listed for this area of study relate only to the 'Requirements' outlined in the Faculty of Science component of any bachelors double degrees.
DescriptionPhysics seeks to provide a fundamental understanding of how our physical universe works at all conceivable scales of length, time and energy. It ranges from the very practical, such as improving medical imaging technologies, to curiosity-driven questions, such as why is the sky blue? It addresses fundamental questions about the nature of space, time and matter, and also provides insight into the nature of reality and the origin of our universe. In mainstream physics, students explore diverse topics ranging from atom optics, astrophysics and particle cosmology to condensed matter physics, x-ray optics and synchrotron science. Students with biomedical, bioscience and environmental science interests can study relevant physics at level one. A program in physics, involving experimentation, application of theory and problem solving, provides a sound scientific background for a complex and technologically oriented world. The School of Physics offers physics units at all undergraduate and honours levels, together with astronomy and astrophysics units at levels one, two and three. Students may include some astronomy and astrophysics in a physics minor, major, and honours. The first three levels of physics provide a broad foundation, with some opportunity for specialisation in level three. During honours and postgraduate study, opportunities exist for specialisation in a wide range of topics in theoretical and experimental physics. ObjectivesOn completion of a major sequence in physics students will:
UnitsLevel one
Level two
Level three
Sequence requirementsMinor sequence in physics (24 points)Major sequence in physics (48 points)
Double major sequence in physics (72 points)
Note that physics units have mathematics pre-requisites. PHS2011 has MTH1030 as a prerequisite; PHS2022 has MTH2010 as a prerequisite; level three units (PHS3031, PHS3042, PHS3051, PHS3062, PHS3131 and PHS3142) have MTH2010 and MTH2032 as pre-requisites. Details of the ASP and MSC units, and related sequences, are described in the 'astronomy and astrophysics' and 'materials science' entries in the Science areas of study section of the Handbook. Requirements for honours in physics
Additional informationSee coordinator details in table above. Level oneThe mainstream sequence PHS1011 and PHS1022 covers foundational topics in physics over two semesters, providing a balance between a theoretical understanding of physics along with practical applications and experimental physics. These units follow a mathematical approach and use calculus. Students are required to have passed VCE year 12 Physics (or equivalent), or do PHS1080 in place of PHS1011. Mainstream physics is normally taken by students with interests in physics, mathematics, astrophysics, chemistry, computer science, those with a general interest in the nature of the universe, and those doing science/engineering double degrees. For PHS1011, MTH1020 or MTH1030 are recommended co-requisites. PHS1022 has a prerequisite of VCE Specialist Mathematics or MTH1020, with MTH1030 as a recommended co-requisite (to enable students to proceed to level two physics.). Foundation physics PHS1080 is suitable for students with no year 12 Physics who wish to understand the basic principles of physics. It specifically prepares students for entering PHS1022 in semester 2 and for continuing in physics or astronomy-astrophysics beyond level one. PHS1031 and PHS1042 are specifically designed for students interested in biomedical and environmental disciplines respectively. There is an emphasis on applications of physics principles in a range of relevant situations. These units can be undertaken by students with no previous physics experience and do not require calculus. However they do not provide students with a suitable foundation for further studies in physics or in areas based on physics. PHS1011 or PHS1080, and PHS1022 are required to enter the level two physics units PHS2011 and PHS2022. Students with alternative semester-one physics may be enrolled in level two physics at the discretion of the level coordinator. Students continuing to level two physics should ensure that they do the required mathematics (at least MTH1030 in level one). The school also offers ASP1010 (Earth to cosmos - introductory astronomy) at level one. Any level-one physics provides a basic foundation to do level two astronomy and astrophysics. See the astronomy and astrophysics entry for details. Level twoThe units PHS2011 and PHS2022 develop key areas of physics including quantum physics, condensed matter physics, electromagnetism, optics, atomic and nuclear physics, and statistical physics. Many key concepts are linked via appropriate applications. MTH1030 is a prerequisite for PHS2011 and MTH2010 is a pre-requisite for PHS2022. Students intending to proceed to level three physics (including theoretical physics) must complete the units PHS2011 and PHS2022, and should also take MTH2032. In addition, ASP2011 complements the mainstream physics units and provides a background for students who wish to take level three astrophysics units. For information on astronomy and astrophysics including the observatory facilities at the Clayton campus, see the 'astronomy and astrophysics' entry in the Science areas of study section of the Handbook. Level threeThe School of Physics offers a range of level three units that cover classical mechanics and field theory, relativistic particles and fields, quantum mechanics, advanced quantum mechanics, seminars in theoretical physics, scattering and spectroscopy, condensed matter physics, statistical physics, nuclear physics, fundamental particle physics, electrodynamics and photonics. In addition, the school offers units in observational astronomy and astrophysics. All level three physics units require MTH2010 and MTH2032. PHS3031 is essential for any student considering doing Honours in physics. A physics research project unit (PHS3350) may be taken by a qualified student wishing to do independent work, subject to approval by the School towards a physics major, or two research project units for a double major. Level three physics units normally consist of two series of 12 one-hour lectures, a further 12 hours of tutorial/workshops, and an average of 2.5 hours of laboratory per week or one-hour seminar work per week for theoretical units. HonoursIn addition to the requirements listed above, students must meet the entry requirements for the Science honours program relevant to their course of enrolment. See the entries for:
Full details regarding the course structure for honours in this area of study are outlined in course 0051 Honours degree of Bachelor of Science. Relevant CoursesSingle degrees
Double degrees
Honours degrees
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