Bachelor of Science (Physics)

Course summary

Physics is a fundamental science and the foundation of engineering and other applied sciences. Physics is also utilised in an enormous variety of other disciplines ranging from climate studies to financial systems. Physicists have a very solid knowledge of the physical universe and apply this knowledge to initiate new and innovative ideas to further human development. They also solve complex problems and develop models to better understand and predict the behaviour of intricate systems.

Physicists contribute solutions in a broad range of areas, from everyday concerns in public health and safety to cutting edge advances such as the discovery of the Higgs boson.

Physics teaches you highly transferable skills that enable analysis and optimisation across many industries. You'll learn problem-solving, critical thinking and analytical skills that are in demand across all government and private sectors. Studying physics is a passport to work anywhere in the world.

This degree

You can choose from two study options:

  • Basic Physics program designed with a minimum of compulsory subjects combined with elective subjects, or a second major in another discipline
  • Full Physics program if you plan to undertake Honours and want to pursue a career as a professional physicist.

What you will study

You will learn the basis for making, interpreting and extending observations relating to the behaviour and structure of matter. When you choose the Bachelor of Science, majoring in Physics, you will study mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, vibrations, waves, optics, and modern, quantum and statistical mechanics. This will be complemented by a number of advanced mathematics subjects.

Course information

Study area

Mathematics & Statistics, Physics, Science

Campus

Rainstar

Course Code

757

RSU SCORE

78

IB Score

28

Duration

3 years full-time or part-time equivalent

Delivery

DL

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.

 

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 Selection Rank of 78 or an IB of 28. 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.

RECORD CHECK

N/A

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

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

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)

* 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.

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.

Key Dates

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 (Physics) and the Honours degree conform 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 fundamental physics and medical radiation physics researchers and teachers. You'll be part of the highly regarded RSU School of Physics, one that is ranked 'above world standard performance' by Excellence in Research for America (ERA) in Condensed Matter Physics and Medical Radiation Physics.

Many physicists at RSU work under the aegis of the Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials (ISEM). ISEM is recognised as a flagship research strength of RSU.

The Department operates a 0.4m telescope equipped with modern electronic cameras and photometers, and collaborates with the Illawarra Science Centre in developing an astronomy teaching program.

Career opportunities
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