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Overview

The Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Physics is comprised of 48 units of credit. It requires studying higher-level coursework and completion of an independent research project, under the guidance of an academic supervisor. The Honours year commences in Term 1 and is undertaken full-time over 1 year. Term 3 entry… For more content click the Read More button below.

Available in Program(s)
Single degree program(s) in which this specialisation is available:

Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) - BAdvSci(Hons)3962 - Advanced Science (Honours)
Bachelor of Science (Honours) - BSc(Hons)4500 - Science (Honours)

Specialisation Structure

Students must complete 48 UOC.

Research coursework24 Units of Credit:
Research Project24 Units of Credit:

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You are responsible for ensuring that you enrol in courses according to your program requirements and by following the advice of your Program Authority. myUNSW enrolment checks that you have met enrolment requirements such as pre-requisites for individual courses but not that you are enrolling in courses that will count towards your program requirements.

Additional Information

Honours grade calculations

At the completion of their Honours program students will be awarded an honours grading based on their WAM for that year (weighted average mark) as follows:

  • Honours Class 1: WAM of 85 or greater;
  • Honours Class 2 Division 1: WAM from 75 to 84;
  • Honours Class 2 Division 2: WAM from 65 to 74;
  • Honours Class 3 or Pass: WAM below 65.

High performing students may be recommended for a university medal.

Admission requirements

Students who have completed an undergraduate degree with a major in physics or physical science, and who have maintained a WAM of 65% or higher are eligible to apply for Physics honours. Students must have also taken at least 24 UOC of Level 3 Physics courses including PHYS3111 Quantum Mechanics; PHYS3113 Thermal Physics and Statistical Mechanics; and PHYS3114 Electrodynamics (or equivalent). Students who do not have these prerequisite courses may be eligible to apply for the Graduate Diploma (Research) or the Master of Philosophy.

Pathways

Students who complete an Honours program and achieve an Honours Class 1 or Class 2 Division 1 are eligible to apply for higher degree research programs (a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Masters by Research (MSc)). Students with Honours Class 1 are also eligible to apply for research scholarships such as the Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship. Students who have completed Honours in Physics have also gone onto careers in areas such as commercial and government research, teaching, scientific sales and management, and financial and data analysis.

Pre-2019 Handbook Editions

Access past handbook editions (2018 and prior)
Pre-2019 Handbook Editions