MJRH-PHYSC v.1 Physics Honours Major (BSc) (Honours)
Major/Stream Overview
This major/stream is part of a larger course. Information is specific to the major/stream, please refer to the course for more information.
The Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Physics) enables students to build on their knowledge of physics with a strong research focus. The Major combines four 25-credit point advanced coursework units taught by internal and external academics with expertise in specific fields of research, with a 100-credit point independent research project. This year is primarily for those wishing to go on to doctoral studies either locally or globally.
Career Opportunities
Honours graduates have demonstrated an ability to work independently, to plan and implement investigation, to meet project deadlines, and to communicate information to a professional standard. For this reason, many employers of physics professionals have a preference for honours graduates, and some employers will only consider graduates with an honours degree.
Major/Stream Entry and Completion Details
Applicants admitted into Bachelor of Science (Science) and undertaking the Physics Major may be invited to undertake the honours course if their semester-weighted average is more than 65% in at least the previous two study periods of full-time study. Applicants from other courses or outside Curtin are advised to contact the Department of Physics for qualification information.
Major/Minor/Stream Organisation
This Major consists of advanced coursework units in physics, astronomy and quantum mechanics, as well as a unit in research methodologies followed by the Physics Honours Dissertation unit.
Major/Stream Learning Outcomes
A graduate of this course can:
1. apply physics knowledge and understanding to solve physics problems and recognise the limitations of physics theories and the problem solving capability of Physics
2. analyse problems and generate testable theories to examine them; generate innovative solutions to problems by designing and carrying out physics experiments, integrating new and established knowledge
3. access a wide variety of existing information in the physical sciences; compare, contrast and develop new interpretations using physical science results and information from a wide variety of sources on the basis of reliability, accuracy and precision
4. communicate plans, progress and experimental outcomes concisely and coherently to audiences of physicists in written, visual and verbal forms
5. design/build/use appropriate experimental apparatus or algorithms to solve problems; apply appropriate technologies to solving problems while evaluating their limitations and advantages
6. understand that Physics is a dynamic field of study; demonstrate initiative and intellectual independence by taking advantage of opportunities for continuing education
7. consider problems in the physical sciences from a global perspective and recognise the inherent universal nature of the physical sciences
8. articulate and respect the cultural dimensions of working in the physical sciences while recognising that nature-physics and its language are a-cultural
9. collaborate effectively as a leader of research or as part of a research team while applying an ethical approach to analysis of scientific data and information
Duration and availability
This Major is one-year full-time study.
Course Structure | Hrs/Wk | Credit | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year 0 Semester 1 | |||||
NPSC4000 | v.1 | Honours Science Research Methodologies 4 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
25.0 | |||||
Year 0 Full Year - Honours | |||||
PHYS4001 | v.1 | Physics Honours Dissertation | 5.0 | 100.0 | |
100.0 | |||||
SELECT OPTIONAL UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF: | 75.0 | ||||
75.0 | |||||
Optional Units (No Year Level Specified) | Hrs/Wk | Credit | |||
PHYS4000 | v.1 | Advanced Computational Quantum Mechanics | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
PHYS4002 | v.3 | Advanced Topics in Physics and Astronomy 2 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
PHYS4003 | v.1 | Advanced Topics in Astrophysics | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
PHYS4004 | v.2 | Advanced Topics in Physics and Astronomy 1 | 4.0 | 25.0 |
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International students
International students studying in Australia on a student visa can only study full-time and there are also specific entry requirements that must be met. As some information contained in this publication may not be applicable to international students, refer to international.curtin.edu.au for further information. Australian citizens, permanent residents and international students studying outside Australia may have the choice of full-time, part-time and external study, depending on course availability and in-country requirements.