Bachelor of Applied Physics CA02

Program at a glance

Duration: 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time
Mode & Location: internal - ROK (all years), Yr 1 - GLD/MKY, multi-modal - ROK/GLD/MKY/BDG, external
Courses/Units of Credit: 24 courses/144 units of credit
Faculty: James Goldston Faculty of Engineering & Physical Systems
Entry: QTAC (more info)
Accreditation: Graduates are eligible for graduate status in the Australian Institute of Physics.
Residential School: some compulsory residential schools for external students dependent on courses selected
Practicum/Work placement: not applicable
Exit awards: not applicable
Interim awards: not applicable
Contact: Engineering & Physical Systems on 07 4930 9733 or email engineering-enquiries@cqu.edu.au
International students: International students studying in Australia must study full-time, on-campus.
CRICOS program codes: ROK - 003409F

Program aim

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 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.

Career options

acoustics consulting, biophysics research, electro-optics, materials research, environmental montioring, computing technology, geophysical exploration, secondary teaching, physicist

Program structure

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

6 compulsory courses at Level 1, which are:

Course Code Course Title
ENSE11001 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:

Course Code Course Title
PHYS12075 Optics & Lasers
PHYS12076 Properties of Materials
ENSE12002 Analog Systems (external students) or
ENEE12001 Introduction to Analogue Electronics (internal students)
PHYS12073 Introduction to Modern Physics
MATH12171 Differential Equations
MATH12172 Multivariable Calculus

3 compulsory courses at Level 3, which are:

Course Code Course Title
PHYS13071 Quantum Physics
PHYS13072 Solid State Physics
PHYS13070 Modern Optics & EM Waves

At least 3 Level 3 Physics courses, which may include:

Course Code Course Title
PHYG13004 Earth Science
PHYS13192 Stars, Planets & Galaxies
PHYS13068 Acoustics & Vibrations
PHYS13164 Applied Physical Techniques
ENTE13012 Applied Microcontrollers
ENTE13011 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

Course Code Course Title
ENTI12001 Instrumentation & Transducers
ENTE13011 Digital Signal Processing
ENCO11005 Computer Hardware Fundamentals
COIT11133 Programming A
ENCO12008 Computer Architecture & Assembler
ENTE13012 Applied Microcontrollers

Geophysics Strand

Course Code Course Title
PHYS12074 Concepts of Astronomy
PHYS13192 Stars, Planets & Galaxies
ENVR11011 Environmental Science A
ENVR11012 Environmental Science B
PHYG12003 Geological Science
PHYG13004 Earth Science

Mathematical Physics Strand

Course Code Course Title
MATH12173 Linear Algebra
MATH12174 Real Analysis
MATH13180 Applied Partial Differential Equations
MATH13181 Advanced Dynamics
STAT11048 Essential Statistics

Recommended electives include:

Course Code Course Title
CHEM11007 Introductory Concepts of Chemical Sciences
CHEM11008 Essential Principles of Chemical Sciences

Students must note:

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:

Course Code Course Title
COIS11014 Engineering Computing
PHYS11182 Physics 1A
PHYS11183 Physics 1B
MATH11163 Mathematics 1A
MATH11164 Mathematics 1B
ENSE11001 Digital Systems
plus 2 electives

Check the details

External students

A study program for the whole program can be considered with the program coordinator at the first residential school. External 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.

Application for Credit Transfer

Credit transfer will be granted only where a student is able to demonstrate that tertiary studies equivalent in content and depth to the CQU program have 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 director.

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