MajorUndergraduate

PHYSICS09 Physics

Faculty of Science

Physics (PHYSICS09) is a major worth 48 credit points, listing 25 units, taught at Clayton. It is offered in 3 courses, including Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Science Advanced - Global Challenges (Honours).

Credit points
48
Units
25
Campus
Clayton
Offered in
3 courses

The 2027 handbook has no page for PHYSICS09. This is its 2026 entry, the latest one.

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Requisite map

Overview

Physics is the study of space and time, matter and energy. By carrying out experiments and developing conceptual models, physicists seek to provide a fundamental understanding of how our physical universe works. Physics ranges from the very practical, such as developing biomedical-imaging and optoelectronic devices, to asking curiosity-driven questions about the nature of reality or how complexity arises from simple constituents.

Physics at Monash covers the full spectrum of subjects, from atom optics to x-ray science. You will have access to world-leading researchers and facilities, including the $175M New Horizons Research Centre. We are also developing new ways of teaching physics and astronomy. At first year this centres on the Physics and Astronomy Collaborative-learning Environment (PACE). First year classes are held in the PACE Studios which are custom-designed to encourage independent learning, and to promote the problem solving, effective communication and teamwork highly valued by employers. We are forging a community of students who are pro-active learners, able to apply their knowledge and skills in creative ways.

Physics graduates have varied and diverse career options. They may work as medical physicists in hospitals, as patent examiners, in the financial, business and government sectors. They may work in research roles for universities, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), the Australian Synchrotron, and the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO). Physicists are also found working in the renewable energy sector, science teaching, climate modelling and science communication.

Availability
Physics is listed in S2000 Bachelor of Science, S3001 Bachelor of Science Advanced - Global Challenges (Honours) and S3002 Bachelor of Science Advanced - Research (Honours) at Clayton as a major, extended major and minor.

Structure

Supporting studies in mathematics
Physics is an area of study that benefits from supporting studies in mathematics. This entry lists the requirements of the major and the mathematics supporting studies required for progression in Physics.

You must complete the following mathematics units. There are advanced versions of MTH1030 and MTH2010; MTH1035 and MTH2015.

Software engineering specialisation requirements

18 credit points
Level 1 units12 credit points
You must complete one of the following options

Option 3

12 credit points
You must complete 12 credit points from the following units

S2007 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Biomedical Science unit

6 credit points
You must complete BMS1031 instead of PHS1031.
Level 2 and level 3 units24 credit points
Additional Level 3 unit6 credit points
Elective unit6 credit points
You must complete one unit from the list of additional Level 3 units above or from the following options

Option 1

6 credit points

Option 2

6 credit points
You may complete one of the following units.
Note: Enrolment in a research project unit requires achievement in a minimum set of units and permission of the unit coordinator.

Option 3

6 credit points
You may complete one of the following units.
Note: Enrolment in a research project unit requires achievement in a minimum set of units and permission of the unit coordinator.
Progression to honours
Requires completion of 24 credit points of relevant Level 3 units.

Courses that offer it

Notes

Requirements for progressing to honours and other further studies
You must meet the entry requirements for S3701 Bachelor of Science (Honours) or meet the progression requirements to the fourth year of S3002 Bachelor of Science Advanced - Research (Honours).

You must also complete prerequisite study as per the intended discipline. Refer to the honours prerequisites table.

Learning outcomes

In addition to achieving the broad outcomes of your course, and successfully completing this area of study, you will be able to:
  1. 1

    Explain how knowledge in physics is constructed as part of continually evolving conceptual frameworks developed from experiment and observation, and built around a core of unifying fundamental concepts

  2. 2

    Appreciate physics as a creative, social endeavour which provides intellectual pleasure and contributes to society and its development through a multitude of applications to past, current and future technologies

  3. 3

    Use a wide range of appropriate equipment and techniques in designing, planning, carrying out and refining experiments

  4. 4

    Demonstrate the experimental, numerical, computational, analytical and problem solving skills required to gain employment in a wide variety of industries or to undertake further learning in physics and related disciplines

Contacts

Academic Coordinators
Dr Scott Findlay
Dr Alexis Bishop
Dr Anna McLean Phillips

Common questions

What units are in Physics?

It lists 25 units, including BMS1031, ENG1005, ENG2005, MTH1030, MTH2010, MTH2032, MTH2040 and PHS1001. The structure above shows which are required and which you choose.

Major details

Type
Major
Study level
Undergraduate
Credit points
48
Faculty
Faculty of Science
Organisational unit
School of Physics and Astronomy
Handbook years
2020202120222023202420252026