Faculty of Science
Physics

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Faculty of Science

1. Subject choices
    1.1. Standard and advanced levels
    1.2. 100-level subjects
    1.3. 200-level subjects
    1.4. 300-level subjects
2. Suggested courses of study
    2.1. 100-level subjects
    2.2. 200-level subjects (physics/mathematics students)
    2.3. 200-level subjects (physics/chemistry students)
    2.4. 300-level subjects
3. Bachelor of Science (Degree with Honours)
4. Further information
Subject Lists
    Subject descriptions
        100-level subjects
        200-level subjects
        300-level subjects

The undergraduate subjects in the School of Physics form a study of the universe at its most profound level. These subjects provide students with the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the foundations and methodology of physics through both theoretical and experimental studies.

Students completing studies in physics will be able to:

explain fundamental phenomena in a wide range of areas including classical and quantum mechanics, thermal and statistical physics, astronomy and astrophysics, optics, nuclear and particle physics and electronics;
apply these principles to situations in the physical and biological sciences and engineering;
solve problems using mathematical and computational methods and analyse and interpret the results;
demonstrate an understanding of a wide variety of advanced experimental techniques;
acquire and interpret experimental data;
write and evaluate scientific and technical reports; and
plan effective work schedules and manage their time to meet the deadlines for submission of assessable work and prepare for tests and examinations.

1. Subject choices

1.1. Standard and advanced levels

Many physics subjects are offered at standard and advanced levels. The treatment of the subject matter in the advanced subjects will be deeper and may involve more sophisticated mathematics.

Admission to advanced level subjects at 100-level is restricted to students with a strong background in physics and mathematics and preference may be given to students intending to specialise in physics. Admission to advanced level subjects in 200- and 300-level is restricted to students who continue to obtain good marks in the prerequisite subjects and in physics and mathematics as a whole (the usual requirement being an average of 70% or more in the principal physics and mathematics subjects of the previous level).

Students with adequate preparation do not disadvantage themselves by taking advanced level subjects.

1.2. 100-level subjects

Coordinator: Dr M K Livett (Director of First Year Studies)

Four 100-level physics subject streams are offered by the School of Physics, each made up of two one-semester subjects normally taken together. A two-semester subject sequence in astronomy is also offered.

640-121 plus 640-122 Physics (Advanced) is an intellectually rigorous stream suited to students, embarking on any career, who have a strong background in physics and mathematics. The sequence assumes a high level of achievement in VCE Unit 3/4 Physics and Specialist Mathematics. Students who are adequately prepared will not be disadvantaged in their marks by choosing the advanced subjects.
640-141 plus 640-142 Physics provide a broad coverage of physics principles and applications suited to students wishing to specialise in any physical, technological or biological discipline. The sequence assumes knowledge of VCE Unit 3/4 Physics and Mathematics, including calculus.
640-161 plus 640-162 Physics: Principles and Applications provide a well-rounded, more descriptive treatment of physics for students who do not have a solid background in physics and mathematics. The subjects assume some prior knowledge of physics and mathematics but not to VCE Unit 3/4 level. Students who have completed VCE Unit 3/4 Physics or equivalent will not normally be permitted to enrol in these subjects. Students with strong results in 640-161 plus 640-162, together with appropriate mathematics, may be permitted to proceed to later year physics subjects.
640-151 plus 640-152 Physics for Biomedical Science is a core subject sequence in the Bachelor of Biomedical Science course. It assumes some knowledge of physics and VCE Unit 3/4 Mathematical Methods. For BSc students, entry to these subjects is by invitation from the head of the School of Physics, usually requiring a very high level of achievement in the final year of secondary school.
640-176 The Solar System and the Cosmos and 640-177 Stars and Galaxies are optional astronomy subjects. 640-177 assumes familiarity with basic physical concepts.

Students who have concerns about their preparation in mathematics and physics are recommended to revise their knowledge by preliminary reading of an appropriate text, eg. R Cole, So You Want to Take Physics? A Preparatory Course with Calculus, Saunders, 1993 (for 640-121 plus 640-122 and 640-141 plus 640-142 and 640-151 plus 640-152) or R Cole, So You Want to Take Physics? A Preparatory Course, Saunders, 1993 (for 640-161 plus 640-162).

1.3. 200-level subjects

Coordinator: Dr A Melatos

Students planning to specialise in physics must include in their courses physics 640-223 or 640-243; 640-225 or 640-245; and 640-299; and mathematics 620-231 or 620-233 and 620-232 or 620-234. These mathematics subjects are prerequisites for some 200-level and 300-level physics subjects.

1.4. 300-level subjects

Coordinator: Dr A Melatos

300-level subjects fall into three groups: core subjects, options and laboratory subjects. The core subjects are 640-321 or 640-341, 640-322 or 640-342, 640-323 or 640-343, and 640-353. The laboratory subjects are 640-393 and 640-394.

With the exception of 640-353, the core subjects are run at both standard and advanced levels. The subject pairs (640-321 and 640-341), (640-322 and 640-342) and (640-323 and 640-343) cover similar material though to different levels of depth. The core subjects cover those key aspects of theoretical physics required for all students specialising in physics, while the options provide students with the opportunity to increase both the breadth and depth of their knowledge of physics.

The standard laboratory sequence taken by most students specialising in physics and wishing to proceed to honours-level studies in physics totals 25 points. This is usually achieved by completing 640-393 and 640-394.

Students who are considering honours-level studies in physics should construct their 300-level courses with a view to meeting the prerequisites described in Bachelor of Science (Degree with Honours) and Bachelor of Information Systems (Degree with Honours) section of this Handbook.

Note that the book S B Palmer and M S Rogalski, Advanced University Physics, Gordon and Breach, 1996, may be a useful adjunct to the prescribed texts for the various 300-level units. This book summarises a range of theoretical physics material including classical mechanics, optics, electrodynamics, quantum mechanics, solid state physics and nuclear physics.

Note also that all students specialising in physics are strongly encouraged to enrol in 640-311 Physics - Undergraduate Seminar A and 640-312 Physics - Undergraduate Seminar B.

2. Suggested courses of study

2.1. 100-level subjects

Physics 640-121 plus 640-122 or 640-141 plus 640-142

Mathematics 620-121, 620-122, and 620-123 or 620-141, 620-142, and 620-143

with either

Scientific Programming and Simulation 620-131

Experimental Design and Data Analysis 620-160

and one of

Chemistry 610-121 plus 610-122, or 610-141 plus 610-142

Earth sciences 625-101 and 625-102

Biology 600-141 plus 600-142

Computer science 433-141 and 433-142.

2.2. 200-level subjects (physics/mathematics students)

Physics:

Quantum Mechanics and Thermal Physics 640-223 or 640-243,
Electromagnetism and Relativity 640-225 or 640-245,
Instrumentation for Scientists 640-251,
Laboratory Work 640-299; and

Mathematics:

Vector Analysis 620-231 or 620-233,
Mathematical Methods 620-232 or 620-234,

Plus two or more subjects selected from:

Further Classical and Quantum Mechanics 640-234,
Astrophysics and Optics II 640-237,
Real and Complex Analysis 620-221,
Analysis 620-252,
Linear and Abstract Algebra 620-222.

2.3. 200-level subjects (physics/chemistry students)

Physics:

Quantum Mechanics and Thermal Physics 640-223 or 640-243,
Further Classical and Quantum Mechanics 640-234 (optional),
Laboratory Work 640-299; and

Mathematics:

Vector Analysis 620-231 or 620-233,
Mathematical Methods 620-232 or 620-234

Chemistry:

Light, Matter and Chemical Change A 610-210,
Analysis in Chemical and Life Sciences 610-260,
Organic Chemistry 610-220,
Inorganic and Bio-inorganic Chemistry 610-240.

Please note that this combination of subjects may lead to a major in physics but would not permit entry to physics honours. It may also lead to a major in chemistry.

2.4. 300-level subjects

Quantum Mechanics 640-321 or 640-341;
Thermal Physics 640-322 or 640-342;
Electrodynamics 640-323 or 640-343;
Atomic, Molecular and Solid State Physics 640-353; and
Laboratory Work 640-393 and 640-394 or mathematics subjects required as an alternative for entry to physics honours. Please refer to Bachelor of Science (Degree with Honours) and Bachelor of Information Systems (Degree with Honours).
Additional subjects selected from 300-level physics or elsewhere.

Note that many combinations of subjects may be selected to satisfy the minimum requirement for a major in physics.

3. Bachelor of Science (Degree with Honours)

For information about faculty and departmental entry requirements for Honours, please refer to Bachelor of Science (Degree with Honours) and Bachelor of Information Systems (Degree with Honours). These requirements should be considered when planning your course.

4. Further information

School of Physics
University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010
Tel: +613 8344 7670
Fax: +613 9347 4783
Web: http://www.ph.unimelb.edu.au

Subject descriptions

Status:                   Official 2007
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