Bachelor of Science (Applied Physics) CA02

Program Overview

Physics is concerned with the understanding and quantitative description of natural phenomena. Applied physics is concerned with the application of this knowledge for the advancement of society. The areas in which professional physicists are employed are changing rapidly and becoming increasingly cross-disciplinary; these include biophysics, medical physics, environmental science, geophysics, computational physics, instrumentation and data acquisition and processing.

The Bachelor of Science (Applied Physics) program is designed to produce graduates who are well qualified to succeed in the changing employment scene. Graduates may be employed in fields as diverse as acoustics consulting, biophysics research, electro-optics, materials research, environmental monitoring, computing technology, geophysical exploration and secondary teaching. The program includes in-depth studies in physics, including courses that introduce students to problems and applications in research and industry, as well as individual research projects of an applied nature in which students solve real problems and compile evidence of practical competence to show prospective employers.

The internal and external versions of the program have identical content, and students can transfer from one mode to the other as circumstances warrant.

Program Structure

To satisfy the requirements of the award, students must complete 24 courses or 144 units of credit as outlined below.

Code	Course
6 compulsory courses at Level 1, which are
ENEL11153	Digital Systems
PHYS11182	Physics 1A
PHYS11183	Physics 1B
MATH11163	Mathematics 1A
MATH11164	Mathematics 1B
COIS11014	Engineering Computing
6 compulsory courses at Level 2, which are:
PHYS12075	Optics & Lasers
PHYS12076	Properties of Materials
ENET12010	Analog Systems (distance education students) or
ENEL12073	Introduction to Analogue Electronics (internal students)
PHYS12073	Introduction to Modern Physics
MATH12171	Differential Equations
MATH12172	Multivariable Calculus
2 compulsory courses at Level 3, which are:
PHYS13071	Quantum Physics
PHYS13072	Solid State A
At least 4 Level 3 Physics courses, which may include:
PHYG13002	Earth & Planetary Science
PHYS13070	Modern Optics & EM Waves
PHYS13069	Quantum Physics II
PHYS13067	Stars & Galaxies
PHYS13068	Acoustics & Vibrations
PHYS13164	Applied Physical Techniques
ENCO13002	Applied Microcontrollers
ENEL13108	Digital Signal Processing
6 elective courses selected from a plan stream or any undergraduate degree program.
These elective courses may be selected from one or more of the following plans:
Electronics/Instrumentation
ENEL12098	Instrumentation & Transducers
ENEL13108	Digital Signal Processing
ENCO11005	Computer Hardware Fundamentals
COIT11133	Programming A
ENCO12008	Computer Architecture & Assembler
Geophysics Strand
ENVR11011	Environmental Science A
ENVR11012	Environmental Science B
GEOL12001	Geological Science
PHYG13002	Earth & Planetary Science
ESCI13008	Geophysical Instrumentation
Mathematical Physics Strand
MATH12173	Linear Algebra
MATH12174	Real Analysis
MATH13180	Applied Partial Differential Equations
MATH13181	Advanced Dynamics
COIT11133	Programming A
COIT11134	Programming B
Recommended electives include:
CHEM11007	Introductory Concepts of Chemical Sciences
CHEM11008	Essential Principles of Chemical Sciences
Students must note:
at least 36 units of credit of Level 3 courses must be completed.
Students may select Level 2 courses before Level 1 courses are completed as long as prerequisites are satisfied.

Distance Education Students

A study program for the whole program can be considered with the program coordinator at the first residential school. Distance education students must check the Residential School Timetable to ensure that they do not have any timetable clashes. Continuing students should contact the program coordinator to discuss future enrolment.

Recommended Study Schedule

Please note that full-time students usually enrol in four courses per term and part-time students usually enrol in two courses per term.

New internal students should enrol in the following courses in their first year of study:

Code	Course
COIS11014	Engineering Computing
PHYS11182	Physics 1A
PHYS11183	Physics 1B
MATH11163	Mathematics 1A
MATH11164	Mathematics 1B
ENEL11153	Digital Systems
	plus 2 electives

Part-time distance education students should enrol in 2 or 3 courses per term. It is suggested that commencing part-time distance education students enrol in the following in the first year:

Code	Course
PHYS11182	Physics 1A
PHYS11183	Physics 1B
MATH11163	Mathematics 1A
MATH11164	Mathematics 1B

Note: Students must check to see when and where a course is offered before enrolling. See the course availability section in this handbook for details.

Application for Credit Transfer

Credit transfer will only be granted where a student is able to demonstrate that tertiary studies equivalent in content and depth to the CQU program has been successfully completed. Students should examine the course synopses in this handbook to determine the courses for which they may be eligible to claim exemption. For more information about credit transfer contact the program administrator.

Access to a computer is desirable as some elective courses assume you have access to the Internet.