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Physics course structure

See our recommended course structures and required units below to ensure you get the most out of your Physics degree.

Headshot of a man in front of calculus

Physics course graduates have some of the most exciting and engaging jobs throughout their careers. Their real-life problem-solving skills, enhanced by the study of theoretical and practical physics, together with great strengths in mathematics and computing, makes them highly sought after by many employers. Following the award of the low-frequency part of the Square Kilometre Array to Western Australia, the Physics team has grown rapidly with new research and teaching staff from the world’s best universities such as Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge and Caltech. The course below has been designed to enable successful students to compete favourably with their peers not only in Western Australia or Australia, but also on the world stage.”

Igor Bray, John Curtin Distinguished Professor

Physics Major course structure

The Physics Major course leads to the degree BSc (Physics). Formal prerequisites are Mathematics Methods ATAR and Physics ATAR, or equivalent. Additionally, strong performance in these subjects as well as Mathematics Specialist ATAR and Chemistry ATAR is highly advantageous. A full description of all Units and options is available in the  The recommended choices are included below. Please check the prerequisites for every Unit.

Advanced Physics Major (Honours) course structure

The  course has embedded Honours (fourth year) and leads to the . Formal prerequisites are Mathematics Methods ATAR, Mathematics Specialist ATAR and Physics ATAR, or equivalent. Additionally, strong performance in these subjects as well as Chemistry ATAR is highly advantageous. A full description of all Units and options is available in the . The recommended choices are included below. Please check the prerequisites for every unit.

Physics (including Advanced) Major (1st Year)

Physics Major streams (2nd and 3rd Year)

The Physics Major has four streams: Astrophysics, Applied Physics, Materials Science, and Mathematical Physics. Students need to select their preferred stream and complete 100 credit points in each semester. Advanced Physics Major students can follow any Stream and would typically replace the Elective in Year 2 with . In years 3 and 4 (Honours) the project Units are aligned with  and , respectively.

Physics Honours (4th Year)

For all Advanced Physics students, see the  for details. Other students, with a course weighted average (CWA) of 65 or above, are encouraged to consider the Physics with Honours degree. The Physics Honours year consists of a 100 credit point research project and four 25 credit point Units. A full description of Physics Honours options is available in the .

A recommended combination of Units is  (100 credits) [most students] or  (150 credits) [Advanced Physics students requiring longer projects, and taking only two Units below] and:

Semester 1

Semester 2

Postgraduate courses

Physics (Advanced Science)

The is part of the , a course designed for high performing students to pursue their interest in Science through a core of research, leadership and entrepreneurship.

Indicative ATAR: 95

Prerequisites: Mathematics Methods ATAR; Mathematics Specialist ATAR; Physics ATAR

For further unit information