Offered By	ANU Joint Colleges of Science
Academic Contact	Dr Anna Wilson
Areas of Interest	Physics

Description:

The Theoretical Physics major introduces the foundations of theoretical physics and the opportunity for in depth study of selected areas. It aims to provide a balance of knowledge and skills. Central areas of knowledge include: mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, thermal and statistical physics and special and general relativity. Theoretical Physics skills include construction of models to explain the physical universe and their use to make quantitative predictions. It is distinct from the Physics major due to an increased emphasis on mathematical skills and a reduced emphasis on experimental skills.

The major will prepare students for a variety of careers in areas in which the physical sciences are important, including: research, teaching, and industry.

Learning Goals:

Students who complete the Theoretical Physics major will be able to:

1. Describe and explain the fundamental principles of physics, including those of: mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, thermal and statistical physics, and special and general relativity.
2. Apply the fundamental principles of physics to solve problems, including those likely to be encountered in future careers. Such problems may involve ambiguity and uncertainty and require the application of multiple principles.
3. Integrate the fundamental principles of physics to describe and explain specialised areas of physics.
4. Describe and explain specific examples of how physics is applied to benefit people.
5. Describe critical experiments in the history of physics and explain how they led to revisions of our theoretical descriptions of nature.
6. Use high-level mathematical skills to solve conceptual and quantitative problems in physics.
7. Use computational skills to solve conceptual and quantitative problems in physics.
8. Analyse unfamiliar physical systems and provide order-of-magnitude estimates of quantities. This includes a knowledge of basic physical constants and key equations.
9. Effectively communicate physics based analyses to expert and non-expert audiences.
10. Constructively criticise evidence, arguments and conclusions wherever they are encountered.

Requirements

This major requires the completion of 48 units, which must include:

A total of 24 units from the following compulsory courses:

PHYS1101  Physics 1

PHYS1201  Physics 2

PHYS3001  Theoretical Physics

PHYS3002  Advanced Theoretical Physics

A total of 24 units to be chosen from the following courses including:

• 12 units chosen from any 2000 level PHYS course

• 6 units chosen from any 3000 level PHYS course or from

MATH3351  Topics in Mathematical Physics Honours

MATH3511  Scientific Computing

• 6 units chosen from the following courses:

PHYS2013  Quantum Mechanics

PHYS2016  Electromagnetism

PHYS2017  Waves and Optics

PHYS2020  Thermal and Statistical Physics

MATH2405  Maths Methods 1 Hons

MATH3511  Scientific Computing

Advice to Students:

What 1st year courses should you enrol in?  PHYS1101 and PHYS1201. PHYS1101 has a corequisite of either MATH1013 or MATH1115. PHYS1201 has a corequisite of either MATH1014 or MATH1116.

In addition to the Theoretical Physics major it is recommended that students considering taking the fourth year honours degree in physics or theoretical physics should complete: all four 2000 level courses, and 2000 level mathematics courses in ordinary and partial differential equations.  As mathematics is a primary tool of theoretical physicists, students undertaking this major should consider a major or minor in a mathematics area.

Students should seek further course advice from the academic convener of this Theoretical Physics major.

The information published on the Study at ANU 2012 website applies to the 2012 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2011 website.