Physics is concerned with understanding the world around us at the most fundamental level.

Its focus ranges from the origin and fate of the universe to matter on the subatomic scale—and everything in between.

The knowledge generated through the study of physics is the driving force behind most new technologies—from radar to lasers, from transistors to quantum computers, and from optical microscopes to advanced medical imaging scanners.

Course overview

The Physics major can open the door to numerous creative fields of endeavour. Particularly exciting for students at UWA is the key WA role in Radio Astronomy in the multibillion dollar project, ihe international SKA (Square Kilometre Array), that will reveal amazing new horizons in radio astronomy.

At Level 1 the Physics Major requires two Physics units which can be studied in either order.

Two Level 1 Mathematics units (referred to as complementary units) are also required namely

Students who do not satisfy the prerequisites for the units above will need to take additional Physics and/or Mathematics units. An appropriate equivalent for PHYS3AB is PHYS1030 Bridging Physics for students with a strong mathematical background.

Two less mathematically intensive Physics units are PHYS1021 Applied Physics A and PHYS1022 Applied Physics B.  This combination of units, if both passed at high distinction level, can be used as an alternate pathway to Level 2 Physics.

The Pathways into a Physics major, from a number of prior study starting points, are summarised in the following document:

Two Category A Broadening units which do not form part of a major are also available:

Online learning resources

• LMS - provides online learning resources
• Student LMS Information - provides help in using LMS