Bachelor of Science in Physics and Mathematics

at University of Wollongong - Wollongong Campus Australia

The Bachelor of Science Advanced Honours (Biomolecular Physics) degree is for high-achieving students interested in a challenging program leading to a career in scientific research. The UOW Honours website provides lots of useful information regarding research opportunities, scholarships, and application procedures.

Biomolecular physicists are integrated across a wide range of careers including commercial biomedicine, instrumentation and biotech companies (e.g. Sigma and Life Technologies). They assist in developing molecular diagnostic instrumentation for government and institutional research laboratories, as well beam-line scientists at National Research Facilities (e.g. ANSTO and the Australian Synchrotron).

Biomolecular Physicists work closely with other scientists with an aim to develop a better understanding of diseases and improve treatment and diagnostic, and recovery in a range of medical conditions. They seek to develop new methods and technology to assist with better food processing and preservation. This degree will excite and challenge students with an aptitude for physics and mathematics and an interest in biology and chemistry.

What you will study
This degree requires completion of subjects in physics, mathematics, chemistry, biological science and statistics. You will also study specialist subjects in imaging, structure and dynamics of living and soft matters. These lectures will be provided by experts from within UOW and at external research institutes. You will participate in various enrichment activities and develop a close association with an appropriate member of one of the Faculty’s research teams.

Engineering is vital to solving the world’s big challenges. Engineers are needed to support communities by designing and building livable sustainable cities, they create transport and housing systems, they design and build telecommunications network, the internet and computers. Engineers design systems to ensure ample clean water for the world’s population, to find non-polluting energy sources, to create ways to assist healthy living and ageing and to advance medical and health technologies.

Engineers are team players and many become CEOs and entrepreneurs; engineering graduates run over 30% of the world’s biggest international companies, nearly double the next largest discipline. Learn the fundamentals of engineering, both the technical and interpersonal skills, and apply your knowledge in real situations to prepare you for engineering the future with an internationally accredited UOW engineering degree.

This degree
You will study a common first year allowing you to learn more about engineering and its different fields before deciding which discipline to study. The common first year provides you with sound fundamentals in mathematics, statistics, physics, chemistry, computing, engineering science and communication, mechanics, materials and fluids. You then focus on your chosen major study from second year.

Your degree includes a 12-week hands-on industry placement. You may gain credit for relevant work experience, either in Australia or overseas, by participating in our Professional Options Program.

Engineers work in a variety of industries, for example, construction, mining, resources, aeronautical, electronics, engineering management, telecommunications, power generation and distribution, renewable energy, aerospace, water resource management, robotics and manufacturing, railroad and shipbuilding.

What you will study
The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) - Flexible First Year option allows you to explore and consider the various engineering disciplines before selecting a major area of study. After completion of the first-year subjects, you can transfer into your chosen discipline of engineering.

The following double major combinations are also available: Civil/Environmental, Civil/Mining, Computer/Telecommunications, Electrical/Computer, Electrical/Telecommunications, Mechanical/Materials, Mechanical/Mining, Mining/Environmental and Mining/Materials.

Majors include: Architectural*, Biomedical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Environmental, Materials, Mechanical, Mechatronic, Mining and Telecommunications Engineering.

As an engineering student at UOW, you will have access to fully-equipped laboratories and the latest computer-aided software that is used in modern industrial workplaces. Our lecturers encourage you to approach them and get involved in industry projects and learning opportunities so you get the most out of your university education. Our engineering students are trained through practical learning experiences including:

• Laboratory experiments
• Problem-based learning
• Computer simulations
• Teamwork assignments
• Industrial case studies
• Project management
• Site visits to industry

Our Engineering courses are designed to meet the needs of modern engineering and the innovative focus of industry.

Studying a Bachelor of Arts degree alongside a Bachelor of International Studies will give you essential skills, including critical and creative thinking, effective communication, and problem-solving, all of which are required for high achievement in a range of global careers.

A Bachelor of Arts degree is one of the most popular degrees at University.  Students who are passionate and curious about humanity and society enjoy the breadth and flexibility of the Bachelor of Arts degree. This degree will allow you to hone your skills of analysis and interpretation, and your ability to synthesise complex ideas; skills that are essential to practical problem solving and highly valuable to a wide range of employers. Every real-world problem today has a cultural and social dimension that can be understood using the skills you will gain doing a Bachelor of Arts degree, whichever major you choose.

International Studies is the analysis, appreciation and study of the diversity of the global community. It examines the relationships of politics, society, culture, language, and history in a range of countries and globally. International Studies teaches you how to analyse national and global issues. You will learn about the forces shaping the modern world and the theories that underpin our understanding of the most important global issues. You will also gain language skills and we strongly encourage students to undertake study abroad to further expand their skills.

What you will study
For the Bachelor of International Studies you will take some core international studies subjects and choose one major from International Relations or Global Sustainable Development.  As part of the degree you will also study a language minor, choosing from Mandarin, French, Italian, Japanese or Spanish.

You will also choose one major in the Bachelor of Arts degree; Archaeology and Ancient History, English Literatures, Environmental Humanities, French, History, Indigenous Studies, Japanese, Legal Studies, Mandarin (Non-Chinese Background Students), Mandarin (Character Background Students), Philosophy, Photography, Politics, International Relations, Sociology, Spanish, Creative Writing, or Writing and English Literatures. In addition to the arts major you will choose a minor or a second major from the Bachelor of Arts offerings.

Medical and radiation physicists work in many different fields related to human health in order to improve quality of life. They are familiar with aspects of ionising and non-ionising radiation used for radiation medicine. They are familiar with various forms of therapeutic radiation oncology as well as different methods of diagnostic radiation imaging, and the mechanisms of how such radiation interacts with the human body. They are also familiar with exciting new radiation medicine technologies being developed for the continued improvement in the treatment of human diseases.

This degree
The Bachelor of Medical and Radiation Physics is very hands-on with large practical components in all subjects studied to complement the underlying theoretical physical principles.
To ensure the highest level of industry engagement, professional medical physicists from major hospitals and keynote speakers from industry will deliver key lectures and practical work, as well as co-supervise research projects.

In second year, you will gain hands-on experience in photon, neutron and charged particle physics in the undergraduate physics laboratories, as well as make field trips to accelerator facilities such as the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO). In third year, you will also gain practical experience, particularly in electron and X-ray related medical physics at cancer treatment centres and through ANSTO.

You will graduate with a strong background in physics as well as specialist theoretical, practical and programming skills in radiation medicine that are necessary to find employment in hospitals, research laboratories or related industries. If you continue your studies to an Honours or Master degree, you will learn about Nuclear Medicine, Radiobiology and Radiation Protection in hospitals.

What you will study
You will learn where medical physics matters most: in hospitals, clinics and nuclear science research facilities. In this course you will gain knowledge in areas relating to nuclear medicine, radiotherapy physics, radiation transport physics modelling, detector and instrumentation physics, and data analysis.

The Bachelor of Computer Science (Dean's Scholar) offers a challenging and enriched educational experience for high-achieving students who want to perform above the level normally expected. As a Dean's Scholar student you will also be encouraged to continue your studies through the completion of Honours and research programs.

This degree
Computer scientists focus on computation and its applications, designing methods, tools and writing programs for computer applications. These applications can be in areas such as computer systems to control machinery, information management and big data, applications for mobile devices, stock market trend analysis, game design, visualisation of chemical reactions, neural network design, computational geometry for robot navigation, patient monitoring in hospitals, and much more.

You will be able to choose your major in your second year after studying a common core of subjects that links our computer science, IT and information systems degrees. Find your strengths and interests as you study the fundamentals of computer science and IT: programming, problem solving, network and communications, web technology, data management, system analysis, human–computer interaction, and project management. You’ll also complete a final-year capstone team project.

What you will study
You will complete the normal course requirements for the degree, and receive special privileges as you study, such as the opportunity to complete a research project and direct access to academic mentoring. Places are limited each year. Current students who have achieved a weighted average mark (WAM) of 80 at the end of one year of full-time study in a relevant degree may apply to transfer to the Dean's Scholar degree.

There is currently a high demand for graduates in Medicinal Chemistry. The Master of Medicinal Chemistry degree provides vocational training, together with specialized coursework and a small research project.

What you will study
Additional preparatory subjects focus on laboratory work and science communication skills. It provides an alternative career path to Ph.D. studies or upskilling for the industry.

This degree
This degree is designed through the lens of global perspectives in science where you will also be exposed to emerging technologies such as the use of drones, artificial intelligence AI, coding, and virtual reality (Google VR) in science data collection and analysis during your first-year core subjects.

The program also integrates your graduate work practice skills to allow you to translate your skills into career-ready attributes.

With the appropriate qualifications and laboratory skills, you can be awarded credit for these preparatory subjects.

The Honours program is an alternative option for students going into the second session of third year from either the Bachelor of Health and Physical Education pass degree or the Bachelor of Health and Physical Education (Dean's Scholar) degree.

Students have the opportunity to be involved in a research project of their own choice or interest or work with a Health and Physical Education academic as part of their research. All students will receive supervision throughout their research project and will be required to complete a thesis detailing their research project, their methods and their findings. Participation in the Honours program can lead to further research opportunities as a postgraduate student.

Honours students are encouraged to:

• Make a contribution to theory, research and pedagogy of education
• Conduct independent research in the form of a thesis as well as other forums such as conference presentations and journal articles
• Seek out opportunities and apply knowledge in educational research that will contribute beneficially to educational research and practice
• Participate in the research culture within the School of Education

What you will study
You will study health and physical education subjects including movement skills, games and sports, rhythmic movements, mental health and sexuality, relationships, drugs and personal safety, curriculum and pedagogy (the method and practice of teaching), anatomy and physiology, biomechanics and educational foundations.

You will also study broader complementary subjects including Aboriginal Education, Information and Communication Technology, Learners with Exceptional Needs, Educational Research, Communication, and Risk and Behaviour management.

The Honours year requires students to learn to conduct educational research in ways that are intellectually honest, with professional integrity and knowledge and enactment of appropriate ethical standards; and become aware of changing conditions and situations in research settings.

The Master of Applied Finance (Investing) is for students interested in acquiring an advanced understanding of investment and portfolio management.

You will study the theory and practice of financial management and gain an understanding of the global financial system. Additionally, competing approaches to corporate governance and business ethics will be developed, and you will learn how to provide protection against portfolio, financial and corporate risks.

Students are provided with realistic stock market simulations and are introduced to modern portfolio theory and practice with a focus on optimal investment decision-making. You will experience the pressure of live markets and learn how to manage portfolios through a portfolio simulation that allows you to trade shares, options, bonds, managed funds, international stocks with realistic stock market simulations.

The Master of Science (Medical Radiation Physics) is a program for graduates with preliminary education background in physics, mathematics, biology or engineering who wish to work in public health and related areas, and who have a need for current knowledge and technical expertise in Medical Radiation Physics.

This degree
Our Medical Radiation Physics (MRP) program is backed by clinical associations with local and Sydney hospitals - over 50% of current practising medical physicists in NSW were educated and trained at UOW. Our strong ties with industries and government labs ensure you receive significant industry exposure throughout your degree.

Your lectures in Nuclear Medicine, Radiobiology and Radiation Protection and practical classes will be held in hospitals by practising Medical Physicists and university academics. You will benefit from the strong collaborative links in research and development that our staff have with local and international companies and leading medical radiation physics institutions.

The Bachelor of Primary Education (Honours) is an alternative final year option for students who have demonstrated excellence in the first three years of the Bachelor of Primary Education or the Bachelor of Primary Education (Dean’s Scholar) degree.

This degree is a nationally accredited qualification for employment as a Kindergarten to Year 6 teacher in the public and independent school systems. You will learn through on-campus classes, online learning and school and community placements.  The extensive professional experience program involves placement in schools from the second year of the degree allowing you to learn by observation and apply your skills in the classroom early in your degree. 

During your study you will have opportunities for rural professional experiences, to study overseas with UOW's international exchange and study abroad partners, and to join international cultural immersion programs.

What you will study
In the final year of your degree, you will have the opportunity to be involved in a research project of your own choice or interest or work with a Primary Education academic as part of your research. All students will receive supervision throughout their research project and will be required to complete a thesis or other form of research dissemination detailing their research project, their methods and their findings. Participation in the Honours program can lead to further research opportunities as a postgraduate student.