2015 UOW Physics Discipline Book

PHYSICS

UOW COURSES IN MEDICAL AND RADIATION PHYSICS / NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY / FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS

STUDY AT ONE OF THE WORLD’S BEST UNIVERSITIES

5-STAR

TOP 2%

TOP 50

TOP 100

RATING FOR GETTING A FULLTIME JOB1

OF UNIVERSITIES IN THE WORLD2

UNIVERSITIES UNDER 50 YEARS OLD3

FOR GLOBAL GRADUATES4

WE’RE GOING PLACES

OUR GRADS GET JOBS

UOW is one of the best modern universities in Australia. We connect over 30,000 students from more than 130 nations to learn and discover. We’re young, we’re smart and we work hard enough to be ranked in the top 2% of universities in the world. Join us and see how far you can go.

UOW graduates have the skills employers want. We’ve been rated in the top 100 in the world by employers for nearly a decade. You’ll learn how to learn, how to turn theory into practice, and how people with different skills work together.

YOU’RE IN CONTROL Take control of your life like never before at UOW. Choose your degree. Choose a major. Choose elective subjects, and make exactly the study program you want.

THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE

BE SOMEONE YOU’RE PROUD OF Challenge yourself and come out on top at UOW. Tackle big ideas in your degree, push yourself and travel the world on international exchange, bring your learning to life with a UOWx program such as mentoring local students.

Study where the brightest people take the time to learn your name. You’ll be more than a number at UOW, and be taught by world famous educators and researchers.

Outside of class, you’ll be part of a campus culture defined by fun and friendship.

1. Good Universities Guide 2015 2. QS World University Rankings 2014/2015 3. QS Top 50 Under 50 Rankings 2014 4. QS World University Graduate Employers Survey 2014/2015

FIVE REASONS TO STUDY PHYSICS AT UOW More than rocket science Physics is the most basic and fundamental science. It helps us understand the world, ourselves and the universe in which we live.

3. CLOSE INDUSTRY TIES MEANS STRONG EMPLOYABILITY Our Medical and 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 such as ANSTO and CSIRO ensure you receive industry exposure throughout your degree.

1. PHYSICS TAKES YOU TO THE UNIVERSE AND BEYOND

2. PROBLEM-SOLVING FOR ALL INDUSTRIES AND SECTORS

You’ll learn useful, transferable general skills like how to analyse problems within abstract frameworks and develop methods to solve them. Studying physics is a passport to work anywhere in world.

Physics teaches you highly transferable skills that enable analysis and optimisation across many industries. You’ll learn problem-solving, critical thinking and analytical skills that are in demand across all government and private sectors. We have a range of physics degrees, all fully accredited by the Australian Institute of Physics.

4. ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITIES

5. LEARN FROM WORLD LEADING ACADEMICS

High achieving students receive financial rewards as well as accelerated and more independent learning opportunities such as summer scholarships where you get to work on real research projects. You can access advanced degrees and double degrees that will open up a world of opportunities.

When you study at UOW you join a community made up of leading researchers and teachers in fundamental physics, medical and radiation physics, and nuclear science and technology. You will work alongside these world-class academics and learn about the very latest developments in the field of physics.

PHYSICS

1

THE PHYSICS PROGRAM AT UOW The School of Physics offers mainstream and advanced degrees in fundamental physics, medical radiation physics and nuclear science and technology.

Double degrees with a large variety of science and nonscience disciplines are also offered to prepare students for multidisciplinary careers. Our core physics lecture content is delivered by academics who are internationally recognised in many fields of physics research including medical and radiation physics, solid state physics, photonics and education.

All subjects include a major practical component to complement and reinforce what you learn in lectures, and ensure you gain hands-on skills to prepare you for real-life activities within your future career path.

We offer high-performing students opportunities to embark upon focussed research projects throughout your degree on the University of Wollongong main campus, Innovation Campus, as well as with national and international industrial and clinical collaborators. This first-hand exposure and direct contact with active researchers in these areas ensure you will have a wealth of positive experiences prior to graduating.

2 UNIVERSITY OF WOLLONGONG

Medical and Radiation Physics BACHELOR OF MEDICAL AND RADIATION PHYSICS go.uow.edu.au/bmrphys ATAR DURATION STARTS LOCATION UAC CRICOS

80 3 years Autumn (February), Spring (July) Wollongong 757616 052461G

BACHELOR OF MEDICAL AND RADIATION PHYSICS ADVANCED (HONOURS) go.uow.edu.au/bmrphys-adv ATAR DURATION STARTS LOCATION UAC CRICOS

95 4 years Autumn (February), Spring (July) Wollongong 757603 032584F

Medical and radiation physicists work in many different fields of health care. You could be using X-rays, ultrasound, light in various frequencies, magnetic resonance imaging and nuclear medicine to look at or measure what is happening in the body. You could develop and administer new treatments for patients using new therapies such as ultraviolet radiation or photo stimulated cytoxin.

WHAT YOU STUDY When you study to become a medical physicist at UOW, we will make sure you get much more than a theoretical education. You’ll learn where medical physics matters most: in hospitals, clinics and nuclear science research facilities. Learn about nuclear medicine, radiotherapy physics, radiation transport physics modelling, detector and instrumentation physics, and data analysis.

If you continue your studies to an Honours or Master degree, you will learn about nuclear medicine, radiobiology and radiation protection in hospitals.

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’ll 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’ll have further lectures and practical experience, particularly in electron and X-ray related medical physics at cancer treatment centres and ANSTO. Our Medical and 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 such as ANSTO and CSIRO ensure you receive industry exposure throughout your degree.

ACCREDITATION The Bachelor of Medical and Radiation Physics degree conforms to the requirements for membership of the Australian Institute of Physics and the Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine.

“I am a beamline scientist at the Australian Synchrotron’s Imaging and Medical Beamline (IMBL) in Melbourne. My main role is leading IMBL’s microbeam radiation therapy (MRT) project. MRT is an experimental radiotherapy technique which has demonstrated reduced toxicity to healthy tissues compared to conventional radiotherapy.

“My degree at UOW gave me many opportunities to gain insight into the world

of research through hands on practical work, external facility visits, research projects and summer research programs.

During both my undergraduate and postgraduate degrees I had opportunities to be involved in local and international collaborations, conduct research at state-of-the-art international facilities and attend conferences to present my research and network with professionals in the field.”

JAYDE LIVINGSTONE Scientist, Australian Synchrotron Doctor of Philosophy Bachelor of Medical and Radiation Physics Advanced Honours

PHYSICS

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PHYSICS BACHELOR OF SCIENCE go.uow.edu.au/bsci-phys ATAR DURATION STARTS LOCATION UAC CRICOS

78 3 years Autumn (February), Spring (July) Wollongong 757637 031274F

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE ADVANCED (HONOURS) (PHYSICS) go.uow.edu.au/bsci-adv-phys ATAR DURATION STARTS LOCATION UAC CRICOS

95 4 years Autumn (February), Spring (July) Wollongong 757602 052463E

Physics is fundamental to the study of all sciences and has a key role to play in generating and supporting new technologies. Physicists contribute solutions in a broad range of areas, from everyday concerns in public health and safety to cutting edge advances–such as the discovery of the Higgs boson.

WHAT YOU STUDY All subjects include a major practical component to complement and reinforce what you learn in lectures, and ensure you gain hands-on skills that prepare you for real-life activities in your future career.

You will learn from academics who are internationally recognised in many fields of physics research including medical radiation physics, solid state physics, photonics and education.

MAJORS NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY go.uow.edu.au/bsci-nstech

The expansion in the uranium mining industry and the monitoring of mid- and highlevel radioactive storage facilities both require specific expertise. Nuclear Science and Technology is fundamental to those who want a career as a health physicist, nuclear technician or radiation specialist.

PHYSICS go.uow.edu.au/bsci-phys go.uow.edu.au/bsci-adv-phys

Physics provides the basis for making, interpreting, and extending observations relating to the behaviour and structure of matter. Students majoring in Physics study mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, vibrations, waves, optics, and modern, quantum and statistical mechanics, complemented by a number of advanced mathematics subjects.

“I’ve always had a desire to understand why things are the way they are, and studying Physics at UOW helped me discover how the universe works.

class. The fundamentals I learnt in my undergraduate degree and the practical skills I learnt in my postgraduate degree have been essential to my role as a scientist.

“The teaching staff were always available to give one-on-one guidance, and the education quality was world

“Now I’m living in France and being paid to do the science I really enjoy. What more could I ask for?”

EVAN CONSTABLE Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Institut Néel, France Bachelor of Science Advanced (Honours )2010 Doctor of Philosophy 2015

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OTHER DEGREES YOU MAY LIKE

ACCREDITATION All UOW Physics degrees are accredited with the Australian Institute of Physics.

CAREERS

Radiotherapy Materials science Medical imaging Biophysics Teaching Astrophysics and cosmology Hydrography Health physics Computer science Defence logistics Intelligence Finance and econo-physics

This booklet is just a sample of the degrees on offer at UOW. Here are a few more from different study areas that may interest you.

Bachelor of Science A successful career in science requires a curious mind and the ability to apply knowledge and skills to real-life situations. At UOW we’re committed to ‘enquiry based learning’ and you’ll spend close to half your course hours doing practical work in our new purpose-built Science Teaching Facility or out in the field, ensuring that you have the skills and knowledge to meet the needs of tomorrow’s employers. go.uow.edu.au/bpubhlth

ADVANCED DEGREES

Bachelor of Engineering

The Advanced Science degrees are designed to provide an enriched education experience and to encourage high achievers to continue on to studies in Honours and research.

Advanced degree students receive the following privileges: Access to the Summer Scholarship program where you get paid to work on a specific research project for 10 weeks and are paid as a research assistant Access to a wider range of subjects $500 annual study grant

Engineers design and create solutions to improve everyday life, from the large scale to the nano-level. You will study a common first year to learn about the different engineering fields before majoring in Civil, Computer, Electrical, Environmental or Materials Engineering.

UOW’s engineering programs are accredited by Engineers Australia and relevant world engineering bodies through the Washington Accord. go.uow.edu.au/bengineer

All Advanced Degree students must maintain an average mark of 80 in every session to remain in the degree.

Bachelor of Computer Science

SCHOLARSHIPS SCHOLARSHIP

VALUE

NUMBER AVAILABLE

Vice-Chancellor’s Academic Excellence Scholarship

$3,000 for first year

1

Engineering and Information Sciences Academic Achievement Scholarship

$3,000 for first year

1

Engineering and Information Sciences Academic Excellence Scholarship

$3,000 p.a. for 2 years

15

Advanced Degrees

$500 annually*

unlimited

Women in Engineering and Information Sciences Scholarship

$3,000

varies

*grant is for the duration of degree, and includes summer scholarships and extended building access.

Computer scientists focus on designing methods, tools and writing programs for computer applications. The degree incudes a core of programming and mathematics subjects as well as electives including databases, programming languages, artificial intelligence, computer security and computer graphics. In your final year you will develop your own application as part of a student team project, developing solutions to real-world problems. go.uow.edu.au/bcompsci

LEARN MORE SEE US FOR YOURSELF This book is a just a part of who we are and what we do. Come and meet us face to face, and we’ll show you why UOW is the place for you.

2015 UOW OPEN DAY Saturday 15 August FREE CAMPUS TOURS Every Friday, 10am and 3pm

GET IN BRIGHT AND EARLY Would you like to secure your place at UOW before you sit your HSC exams? Our Early Admission program can help you get there. uow.edu.au/future/early-admission

ENGINEERING AND INFORMATION SCIENCES +61 2 4221 3491 eis@uow.edu.au uow.edu.au/study/physics eis.uow.edu.au GENERAL ENQUIRIES uow.edu.au/future Within Australia: 1300 367 869 International: +61 2 4221 3218 futurestudents@uow.edu.au facebook.com/uowfuture

The University of Wollongong attempts to ensure the information contained in this publication is correct at the time of production (April 2015); however, sections may be amended without notice by the University in response to changing circumstances or for any other reason. Check with the University at the time of enquiry for any updated information. UNIVERSITY OF WOLLONGONG CRICOS: 00102E