Science - Physics University of Melbourne

Overview

Overview

In your first year of the Science - Physics program at University of Melbourne, 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 areas of research excellence:

• Astrophysics
• Theoretical and experimental particle physics
• Atomic, molecular and optical physics
• Theoretical and experimental condensed matter physics
• Biophysical science
• Nanoscience
• Quantum information

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

Technical and professional skills

On graduating from the course you’ll have high level knowledge and research skills in complex physics.

Additionally, you’ll have strong professional skills in:

• Critical thinking and problem-solving
• Research planning, literature reviews and reporting on research

• Scientific communication, both written and oral

Careers

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.

Graduates go on to work as 

• physicists
• data scientists
• astrophysicists
• quantum computing scientists 
• 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