Physics is available as a minormajor and extended major.

Program requirements

The program and course requirements set out the courses and rules you must follow to successfully complete this program.

You must also comply with UQ’s University Policies and Procedures.

Students undertaking a single major must complete an additional 2 units Level 3 course from the BSc course list (to be completed as a program elective or as part of a minor), in addition to the 8 units Level 3 courses required for their single major. 

What do the different requirements mean?

  • Core - all students must complete this course
  • Prerequisite for major - a course required for progression in this major
  • Major compulsory - a course required for this major
  • Major elective - required for the major, chosen from specific selection of courses
  • Recommended - a course which complements the major, but can be substituted for an elective

Students commencing in Semester 2 (July intake)

The study planners provided outline the order of courses to be completed from semester 1 to semester 2. The planners identify semester offerings and in many instances, will be the same for students commencing the program from semester 2. You should check the course offerings to ensure that you are completing the courses in a way that ensures your progression in the program.

If the course sequencing in the planner does not work for you, please contact the School or book an appointment with an academic advisor to obtain individual advice.

Year 1

Students who have not successfully completed Queensland Senior Physics (or equivalent) should complete PHYS1171 in their first semester as an elective course.

Students completing the BSc Physics major or extended major must also complete (MATH1051 or MATH1071), (MATH1052 or MATH1072), (MATH2001 or MATH2901), and MATH2100. These courses may be completed as an Applied Mathematics minor or as part of fulfilling the requirements for another major or program electives.

Semester 1 and Semester 2 course options
Semester 1 (February - June)Semester 2 (July - November)
BSc core courses - complete 4 units
SCIE10001   Theory & Practice in Science

[ STAT12011 Analysis of Scientific Data OR

STAT1301 Advanced Analysis of Scientific Data ]

Prerequisite course for major - complete 2 units
PHYS1001  Mechanics & Thermal PhysicsRefer to Semester 1 for prerequsite course for major.
Compulsory course for major - complete 2 units
Refer to Semester 2 for compulsory course for major.PHYS1002  Electromagnetism & Modern Physics
Elective courses - choose 8 units

4 units from program electives or general electives

Refer to BSc course list for course selection.

Recommended Course:

MATH10511 Calculus & Linear Algebra I
OR 
MATH1071 Advanced Calculus & Linear Algebra I ]

4 units from program electives or general electives

Refer to BSc course list for course selection.

Recommended Course:

MATH10521 Multivariate Calculus & Ordinary Differential Equations
OR
MATH1072 Advanced Multivariate Calculus & Ordinary Differential Equations ]

Additional information:

  1. Course offered in Semester 1, Semester 2 and Summer Semester.

Year 2

Students completing the BSc Physics major or extended major must also complete (MATH1051 or MATH1071), (MATH1052 or MATH1072), (MATH2001 or MATH2901), and MATH2100. These courses may be completed as an Applied Mathematics minor or as part of fulfilling the requirements for another major or program electives.

Semester 1 and Semester 2 course options
Semester 1 (February - June)Semester 2 (July - November)
Compulsory courses for major - complete 6 units
PHYS2020 Thermodynamics & Condensed Matter Physics

[ PHYS2041 Quantum Mechanics I

OR

 PHYS2941 Advanced Quantum Mechanics I ]

PHYS2055 Fields in Physics I

OR

 PHYS2955 Advanced Fields in Physics I ]

 
Elective courses - choose 10 units

4 units program elective or general elective

Refer to BSc course list for course selection.

Recommended Course:

[ MATH2001Calculus & Linear Algebra II

OR 

MATH2901 Advanced Calculus & Linear Algebra II ]

6 units program elective or general elective

Refer to BSc course list for course selection.

Recommended Course:

MATH2100 Applied Mathematical Analysis

 

Additional Information:

  1. Course offered in Semester 1, Semester 2 and Summer Semester. 

Year 3

Students undertaking a single major must complete an additional 2 units Level 3 course from the BSc course list (to be completed as a program elective or as part of a minor), in addition to the 8 units Level 3 courses required for their single major. 

Semester 1 and Semester 2 course options
Semester 1 (February - June)Semester 2 (July - November)
Compulsory courses for major - complete 8 units
PHYS3040 Quantum Mechanics II

[ PHYS3020 Statistical Mechanics

OR

PHYS3920 Advanced Statistical Mechanics ]

[ PHYS3051 Fields in Physics II

OR

PHYS3951 Advanced Fields in Physics II ]

PHYS3900 Perspectives in Physics Research
Elective courses - choose 8 units

4 units program elective or general elective

Refer to BSc course list for course selection.

4 units program elective or general elective

Refer to BSc course list for course selection.

Year 1

Students who have not successfully completed Queensland Senior Physics (or equivalent) should complete PHYS1171 in their first semester as an elective course.

Students completing the Physics major or extended major must also complete MATH1051/MATH1071, MATH1052/MATH1072, MATH2001, and MATH2100 in the Applied Mathematics minor.

Semester 1 and Semester 2 course options
Semester 1 (February - June)Semester 2 (July - November)
BSc core courses - complete 4 units
SCIE10001   Theory & Practice in Science

[ STAT12011 Analysis of Scientific Data OR

STAT1301 Advanced Analysis of Scientific Data ]

Prerequisite course for major - complete 2 units
PHYS1001  Mechanics & Thermal PhysicsRefer to Semester 1 for prerequsite course for major.
Compulsory course for major - complete 2 units
Refer to Semester 2 for compulsory course for major.PHYS1002  Electromagnetism & Modern Physics
Compulsory courses for Applied Mathematics Minor - complete 4 units
MATH10511 Calculus & Linear Algebra I
OR 
MATH1071 Advanced Calculus & Linear Algebra I ]
MATH10521 Multivariate Calculus & Ordinary Differential Equations
OR
MATH1072 Advanced Multivariate Calculus & Ordinary Differential Equations ]
Elective courses - choose 4 units

2 units from program electives or general electives

Refer to BSc course list for course selection.

2 units from program electives or general electives

Refer to BSc course list for course selection.

Additional information:

  1. Course offered in Semester 1, Semester 2 and Summer Semester. 

Year 2

Students completing the Physics major or extended major must also complete MATH1051/MATH1071, MATH1052/MATH1072, MATH2001, and MATH2100 in the Applied Mathematics minor.

Semester 1 and Semester 2 course options
Semester 1 (February - June)Semester 2 (July - November)
Compulsory courses for major - complete 6 units
PHYS2020 Thermodynamics & Condensed Matter PhysicsPHYS2041 Quantum Mechanics I
PHYS2055 Fields in Physics I 
Compulsory courses for Applied Mathematics Minor - complete 4 units
MATH2001Calculus & Linear Algebra IIMATH2100 Applied Mathematical Analysis
Elective courses - choose 6 units

2 units program elective or general elective

Refer to BSc course list for course selection.

4 units program elective or general elective

Refer to BSc course list for course selection.

Additional Information:

  1. Course offered in Semester 1, Semester 2 and Summer Semester. 

Year 3

Students undertaking a single major must complete an additional 2 units Level 3 course from the BSc course list (to be completed as a program elective or as part of a minor), in addition to the 8 units Level 3 courses required for their single major. 

Semester 1 and Semester 2 course options
Semester 1 (February - June)Semester 2 (July - November)
Compulsory courses for major - complete 8 units
PHYS3040 Quantum Mechanics IIPHYS3020 Statistical Mechanics
PHYS3051 Fields in Physics IIPHYS3900 Perspectives in Physics Research
Elective courses - choose 8 units

4 units program elective or general elective

Refer to BSc course list for course selection.

4 units program elective or general elective

Refer to BSc course list for course selection.