Master of Science (Physics)

at University of Melbourne

Course structure
 

The Master of Science (Physics) is a 200-point course, made up of:
 

• Discipline subjects (87.5 points), including compulsory subjects plus electives

• A professional skills subject (12.5 points)

• A research project (100 points).
   

In your first-year, you’ll likely complete most of your coursework subjects, while beginning work on your major research project.
 

In your second year, you’ll concentrate on your research project, while completing any remaining coursework subjects.
 

For your research project you’ll choose a project from one of our three areas of research excellence: astrophysics, theoretical particle physics and experimental particle physics.
 

You’ll choose your professional skills subject from a selection that includes modelling, working with data, ethics, business tools, and communication, giving you an extra skill that you can take with you through your career.
 

Discipline subjects

Complete seven of the following subjects:
 

• Quantum Mechanics

• 12.5 pts
   

• Quantum Field Theory

• 12.5 pts
   

• General Relativity

• 12.5 pts
   

• Statistical Mechanics

• 12.5 pts
   

• Physical Cosmology

• 12.5 pts
   

• Particle Physics

• 12.5 pts
   

• Condensed Matter Physics 4

• 12.5 pts
   

• Quantum and Advanced Optics

• 12.5 pts
   

Complete 100 points of research project subjects, in one of the following streams. Research subjects must be completed in consecutive semesters
.
Stream A

Four semesters
 

• Physics Research Project Pt 1

• 12.5 pts
   

• Physics Research Project Pt 2

• 12.5 pts
   

• Physics Research Project Pt 3

• 25 pts
   

• Physics Research Project Pt 4

• 50 pts

Stream B

Three semesters
 

• Physics Research Project Pt 1

• 12.5 pts
   

• Physics Research Project Pt 2

• 37.5 pts
   

• Physics Research Project Pt 3

• 50 pts

Stream C

Three semesters
 

• Physics Research Project Pt 1

• 25 pts
   

• Physics Research Project Pt 2

• 25 pts
   

• Physics Research Project Pt 3

• 50 pts

To be considered for entry, you must have completed:
 

• An undergraduate degree with a major in a relevant discipline (physics, mathematical physics, chemical physics, mathematics, statistics or engineering) and a weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 65 per cent in the best 50 points in appropriate discipline studies at third year, and

• Quantum mechanics studies at both second-year and third-year university level.
   

Studies in electrodynamics and statistical physics at third-year level are also recommended.
 

Supervision requirements
 

You do not need to contact a supervisor prior to applying, but you do need to list three supervisors from two different research areas in order of preference as part of your application.
 

• TOEFL (internet-based): total score at of least 79 and scores of 21 for writing, 18 for speaking, 13 for reading and 13 for listening. To submit your scores when you apply, use our TOEFL Institution Code: 0974.
   

• IELTS: total score of at least 6.5 in the Academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS), with no bands less than 6.0.

• Indicative first year fee AUD$48,128
   
• Indicative total course fee AUD$98,662

The Master of Science (Physics) could be the start of a rewarding research career in physics or an aligned field such as meteorology, informatics or software engineering.
 

Or you could think outside the box and take your advanced analytical and problem-solving skills into business, government or education.
 

Our graduates go on to work as physicists, data scientists, astrophysicists, quantum computing scientists and quantum computing engineers.
 

Employers in this field include:
 

• Government departments of education and environment, including the Bureau of Meteorology

• Consulting firms such as Deloitte

• Software and computing companies such as IBM, IRESS and Quantium

• Large financial services providers including ANZ and NAB

• Universities and public research institutions such as the CSIRO