Bachelor of Science (Energy and Advanced Materials)

Admission requirements

The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.

Successful completion of SACE Stage 2 Physics and Specialist Mathematics or Mathematical Methods or the equivalent is assumed.

Students without these requirements will need to pick up additional introductory topics and therefore completion in the standard duration may not be guaranteed and will be dependent upon the introductory topics required.

Course aims

The program of studies aims to provide students with an extended foundation in physics and new cutting edge materials together with the ability to acquire extensive subject knowledge in the discipline.

It also aims to develop a range of transferable research, analytical and communication skills including the capacity to:

understand physics and materials at a deeper level
understand and apply relevant scientific principles in a materials context. In particular this involves development of an intuitive knowledge of materials, and having a maths ability that serves as a language for physics and for applications of materials
appreciate the nature of experiment design and execution, and to understand the principles of operation of scientific instruments commonly used in physics and materials
retrieve and present information about physics in a scientific manner, including communicating effectively with a variety of audiences in written and spoken form
structure problems in physics and materials, develop computational skills to model and analyse problems, be able to use critical thinking, be able to rationalise by having an intuitive understanding for the physical processes and being able to self-correct misunderstandings
engage positively with people and ideas beyond the discipline
work independently and take responsibility for updating and adapting their knowledge and skills
appreciate the role of physics in society, and the ethical issues it raises
work cooperatively and productively within a team.

The program of study provides the foundations that will underpin ongoing professional development, preparing graduates for further study in physics or material sciences or another science or non-science related discipline or for a career in an advanced materials related field or in other areas where the range of skills and knowledge acquired is needed or desirable.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, students will be able to:

give an extended account of the foundations of physics and materials
demonstrate knowledge of and critically apply the theories, subject content, professional methodologies and research procedures relevant to materials
describe the processes through which current knowledge about cutting edge materials was developed
analyse and critically evaluate ideas/information/data and apply relevant scientific principles to solve problems by, for example, creating hypotheses, testing theories and predictions, designing and carrying out experiments and analysing reported data
communicate their findings to a variety of audiences in written and spoken form
appreciate that there are relationships and connections between physics and materials to other science and non-science disciplines and understand such relationships and connections in respect physics
work and learn independently and appreciate the need for continuing professional development
interact effectively as part of a team in order to achieve common goals
demonstrate an intuitive level of understanding of the physical processes and being able to
identify and self-correct misunderstandings
engage positively with people and ideas beyond the discipline
work independently and take responsibility for updating and adapting their knowledge and skills
appreciate the role of physics in society, and the ethical issues it raises
work cooperatively and productively within a team.

The program of study provides the foundations that will underpin ongoing professional development, preparing graduates for further study in physics or another science or non-science related discipline or for a career in a physics related field or in other areas where the range of skills and knowledge acquired is needed or desirable.

Program of study

To qualify for the Bachelor of Science (Energy and Advanced Materials) specialisation a student must complete 108 units, with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the Bachelor of Science program of study. The program of study for the specialisation is detailed below:

No more than 45 units of First Year level topics may be included in the 108 units for the degree. Topics designated 'any year' or with no year level specified are regarded as First Year level topics.

Elective topics to complete 108 units may be selected from any offered within the University or, with approval from the College of Science and Engineering, from outside the University, provided any course and prerequisite requirements are met.

Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.

Specialisation - Energy and Advanced Materials - Year 1 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 1 topics

MATH1121 Mathematics 1A (4.5 units)
MATH1122 Mathematics 1B (4.5 units)
PHYS1101 Fundamental Physics I (4.5 units)
PHYS1102 Fundamental Physics II (4.5 units)
ENGR1722 Engineering Physics and Materials (4.5 units)
SPOC1701 The Nature of Science I (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 1 topics

9 units of elective topics from across the University where entry requirements are met *

* Students without Year 12 Physics should undertake PHYS1701 Physics for the Modern World as their elective. Students without Year 12 Mathematics should undertake MATH1701Mathematics Fundamentals A as their elective topic.

Specialisation - Energy and Advanced Materials - Year 2 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 2 topics

ENGR2711 Engineering Mathematics (4.5 units)
ENGR2722 Analysis of Engineering Systems (4.5 units)
ENGR2812 Engineering Materials 2 (4.5 units)
PHYS2701 Quantum Concepts (4.5 units)
PHYS2702 Classical Physics (4.5 units)
PHYS2712 Thermodynamics and Energy Systems (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 2 topics

9 units of elective topics from across the University where entry requirements are met.

Specialisation - Energy and Advanced Materials - Year 3 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 3 topics

ENGR2861 Electromagnetics and Electromagnetic Waves (4.5 units)
MATH3711 Complex Analysis (4.5 units)
MATH3712 Partial Differential Equations (4.5 units)
PHYS3701 Nuclear and Statistical Physics (4.5 units)
PHYS3702 Solid State Physics and Optoelectronics (4.5 units)
PHYS3711 Quantum Physics (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 3 topics

9 units of elective topics from across the University where entry requirements are met #

# Students are encouraged to enrol in STEM3001 Science Connect (4.5 units) as a third-year elective.

Honours

Admission to an honours program may be offered to a student who meets certain academic criteria and subject to the College being able to provide appropriate resources and staff to supervise the program of study. Refer to Bachelor of Science (Honours).