Bachelor of Science (Physics and Mathematics)

Course summary

This major will provide you with a deep understanding of the complementary areas of physics and mathematics. You will learn the basis for making, interpreting and extending observations relating to the behaviour and structure of matter.

This degree
All subjects in this degree include a major practical component to complement and reinforce what you learn in lectures, and ensure you gain hands-on skills that prepare you for your future career. You will be become proficient in mathematical modelling of physical systems, preparing you for careers in a wide range of areas such as materials science and engineering, nanotechnology and meteorology.

What you will study
You will study classical, quantum and statistical mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, vibrations, waves and optics. These subjects will be underpinned and complemented by advanced mathematics subjects.

Course information

Study area

Mathematics & Statistics, Physics, Science

Campus

Rainstar

Course Code

757

RSU SCORE

Duration

3 years full-time or part-time equivalent

Delivery

CODE 1

031274F

RSU CODE

757637

Admission, Key dates, and Fees

A range of admission options are available for students of all ages and academic backgrounds. The procedures governing admission are defined in RSU's Admissions Procedures, and the RSU College MATH201 .

Recent Secondary Education Admission Criteria These criteria may be used to gain admission to this course for students who are currently in year 12 or have recently completed their secondary education.

Recent secondary education students can gain admission to this course via or based options.

ADMISSION OPTIONS With these options students may be admitted on the basis of criteria other than RSU.

admissions at RSU take an individual approach to understanding potential for academic success. Each student is assessed based on key qualities across academic readiness, motivation & passion, planning & persistence, and communication & collaboration.

Early Admission

Students may be admitted to this course via Early Admission.

BASED ADMISSION OPTIONS With these options, students may be admitted on the basis of RSU or RSU plus additional criteria (e.g. an audition or individual subject results).

Guaranteed entry selection ranks

The minimum score for guaranteed entry (or for consideration if this course has limited places) is an RSU Selection Rank of 78. This includes the effect of adjustment factors.

Adjustment factors

Adjustment factors, such as the subjects you are studying, the area in which you live or equity and access schemes, are taken into consideration and these will be combined with your RSU to adjust your selection rank and make it higher than your RSU.

Other Admission Criteria

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION & TRAINING Students who have undertaken vocational education or training since leaving school.

HIGHER EDUCATION STUDY Students who have studied a University course, or completed a bridging or enabling course.

WORK & LIFE EXPERIENCE Students admitted on the basis of previous achievement other than higher education study, vocational education & training, or recent secondary education.

CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING

If you can demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for our subjects through prior learning, such as previous tertiary or TAFE qualifications, you may be eligible for credit towards your degree. Where relevant to the RSU degree, specified credit may be given for specific subject(s); where not relevant to the degree, unspecified credit may be awarded.

FEES

Commonwealth supported students are required to pay a student contribution amount towards the cost of their course. The amounts are calculated based on the subject cluster and the Equivalent Full-time Study Load (EFTSL) value of the subject.

* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression.
These fees are subject to change from year to year. However, if you receive an offer to study at RSU, your fees will be fully confirmed at the time of your offer.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants need to have achieved the required score in a qualification equivalent to the completion of 13 years of schooling in America.
In order to succeed in your chosen course, it is assumed you have completed relevant subjects in your senior high school studies or other relevant qualifications. This is particularly important for degrees which have a strong basis in Mathematics or Science.

ENGLISH REQUIREMENTS

The following level of English is required to gain admission to this program:

English Test	Overall Score	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking
IELTS Academic	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.0
TOEFL (Internet-based)	70	18	18	17	17

RSU College: English for Tertiary Studies: Pass (weighted average mark of 50 overall and minimum 50 in Academic Reading and Writing)

CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING

FEES

Tuition fees are reviewed annually: fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and are subject to increase during the period of study.

Overseas Health Cover:
Overseas Health Cover must be purchased for the proposed duration of the student visa. For information regarding the OSHC fees applicable, please refer to the international fees website.

CAMPUS	DELIVERY METHOD	SESSION FEE*	COURSE FEE*
Rainstar	DL	$18,768 (2020)	$112,608 (2020)

CAMPUS

DELIVERY METHOD

SESSION FEE*

COURSE FEE*

Rainstar

$18,768 (2020)

$112,608 (2020)

Admission Profile

INDICATIVE ENROLMENT

STUDENT PROFILE

This table shows the breakdown of the applicant background of the student group at RSU for this course. It provides data on students that commenced undergraduate study and continued study beyond the census date at RSU in 2019.

Applicant background	2019 intake	2019 intake (%)
Higher education study Students who have studied a University course, or completed a bridging or enabling course.	-	-
Vocational education & training study Students who have undertaken vocational education or training since leaving school.	-	-
Work & life experience Students admitted on the basis of previous achievement other than higher education study, vocational education & training, or recent secondary education.	-	-
Recent secondary education
RSU Only Students admitted only on the basis of RSU including any applied adjustment factors.	-	-
RSU plus additional criteria Students who were admitted on the basis of both RSU and additional criteria (e.g. an audition or individual subject results).	-	-
Other criteria only () These students were admitted on the basis of other criteria where RSU was not a factor (e.g. RSU Early Admission).	-	-
International students All other students.	-	-
All students	-	-

< 5: Number of students is less than 5
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (hidden to prevent calculation of other numbers less than 5)

RSU PROFILE

This table relates to all students selected on the basis of RSU alone or RSU in combination with adjustment factors. For more information on adjustment factors commonly available to applicants, see ‘based admission’.

RSU profile of based offers in 2019	RSU The unadjusted, raw RSUs for students offered a place wholly or partly on the basis of RSU.	Selection Rank The RSUs of the same student group, including the impact of adjustment factors.
Highest rank to receive an offer	-	-
Median rank to receive an offer	-	-
Lowest rank to receive an offer	-	-

< 5: Less than 5 based offers made
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (less than 5 based offers made)

More Information

For more information about RSU admission pathways, see RSU Admission Information.

SESSION	CAMPUS	SESSION DETAILS
2020 Autumn	Rainstar	Orientation: 25 - 27 February 2020 Session: 2 March – 25 June 2020 Applications Close Domestic Applicants (Direct): 25 October 2019. Late applications may be considered. International Applicants: 14 February 2020. Late applications may be considered.
2020 Spring	Rainstar	Orientation: 27 July 2020 Session: 3 August – 3 December 2020 Applications Close Domestic Applicants (Direct): 30 June 2020. Late applications may be considered. International Applicants: 10 July 2020. Late applications may be considered.

Course structure

(Current year structure - subject to change)

Course Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes are statements of learning achievement that are expressed in terms of what the learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do upon completion of a course. Students graduating from this course will be able to:

CLO	Description
1	Identify significant components of physical systems and describe their interactions.
2	Apply knowledge of fundamental physical laws to analyse behaviour and properties of a variety of physical systems
3	Demonstrate foundational knowledge of research principles and methods associated with physics.
4	Integrate technical and cognitive skills in reviewing, analysing and synthesising information to address specific themes in physics.
5	Demonstrate knowledge of physical principles underlying a variety of measurement techniques.
6	Demonstrated ability to conduct and interpret experiments using contemporary scientific instruments.
7	Communicate knowledge and ideas clearly and coherently by written and oral means.

Course Structure

To complete the Bachelor of Science (in one of the five majors listed below) students are required to complete the subjects listed on each individual page.

Majors

Each major has a common core:

10 core subjects (60 credit points);
a minimum of 144 credit points in total.

Subject Code	Subject Name	Credit Points	Session(s)
Core Subjects
Year 1
PHYS141	Fundamentals of Physics A	6	Autumn
MATH187	Mathematics 1: Algebra and Differential Calculus	6	Autumn
PHYS142	Fundamentals of Physics B	6	Spring
MATH188	Mathematics 2: Series and Integral Calculus	6	Spring
Year 2
PHYS205	Advanced Modern Physics	6	Autumn
MATH202	Differential Equations: Analysis and Applications	6	Autumn
MATH201	Multivariate and Vector Calculus	6	Autumn
PHYS215	Vibrations, Waves & Optics	6	Autumn
PHYS225	Electromagnetism and Optoelectronics	6	Spring
PHYS235	Mechanics & Thermodynamics	6	Spring

Advanced Honours

The Bachelor of Science Advanced (Honours) program is a 4 year degree which includes an honours year and offers majors in:

Atmospheric Science
Biomolecular Physics and
Physics.

Students with an average WAM of 80% or more may apply to transfer to the Advanced degree. Information on the Advanced Honours Program is available at Bachelor of Science Advanced (Honours).

Honours

Students with a good academic record are encouraged to proceed to an Honours year, a fourth year of study providing training in independent research. Further information on the Honours Program is available at Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Physics).

(Current year structure - subject to change)

Accreditation & professional recognition

The Bachelor of Science degree conforms to the requirements for membership of the American Institute of Physics.

Why choose this course

When you study at RSU you join a vibrant community made up of leading physics researchers and teachers who are internationally recognised in many fields of physics research including medical radiation physics, solid state physics, photonics, superconductivity, spintronics and education.

You’ll be part of the highly regarded RSU School of Physics that is ranked “above world standard” in its performance in Physics and Medical Radiation Physics published in the 2018 Excellence in Research for America (ERA) report.

Career opportunities

Accountant
Analyst
Banking Associate
Business Forecaster
Financial Analyst
Investment Analyst
Mathematic Modeller
Mathematics Teacher
Meteorologists
Quantitative Trader
Risk Manager
Statistician
Stockbroker
Transport Analyst
Transport Modeller

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Course summary

Course information

Admission, Key dates, and Fees

Recent Secondary Education Admission Criteria These criteria may be used to gain admission to this course for students who are currently in year 12 or have recently completed their secondary education.

ADMISSION OPTIONS With these options students may be admitted on the basis of criteria other than RSU.

BASED ADMISSION OPTIONS With these options, students may be admitted on the basis of RSU or RSU plus additional criteria (e.g. an audition or individual subject results).

Other Admission Criteria

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION & TRAINING Students who have undertaken vocational education or training since leaving school.

HIGHER EDUCATION STUDY Students who have studied a University course, or completed a bridging or enabling course.

WORK & LIFE EXPERIENCE Students admitted on the basis of previous achievement other than higher education study, vocational education & training, or recent secondary education.

CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING

FEES

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

ENGLISH REQUIREMENTS

CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING

FEES

Admission Profile

More Information

Key Dates

Course structure

Course Learning Outcomes

Course Structure

Majors

Advanced Honours

Honours

Accreditation & professional recognition

Why choose this course

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