Why Study/Key Benefits

The Bachelor of Science (Professional), majoring in Physics at Swinburne University of Technology combines fundamental and modern physics with practical laboratory learning, digital skills and professional industry experience. Students study areas including classical and modern physics, quantum technology, optical, atomic, nuclear and condensed-matter physics, with access to advanced laboratory learning including third-year quantum laboratories and quantum-sensing activities.

Key benefits include:

• A 12-month paid professional work-placement opportunity as part of the Professional Degree.
• Three industry-linked projects designed to connect academic learning with professional practice.
• Development of experimental, modelling, problem-solving, research and technical-reporting skills.
• Python coding and data-analysis skills relevant to modern scientific and technical careers.
• Practical laboratory experience in physics.
• An opportunity to pursue Australian Institute of Physics (AIP) accreditation when the Physics major is completed together with the Higher Mathematics Minor.
• Swinburne currently reports a Top 5 ranking in Australia for Physics in the ARWU Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025 and a Top 50 global ranking for Space Science in the US News Best Global Universities Rankings 2025–2026. These are university/subject-level rankings and are not guarantees of individual career outcomes.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The degree combines science foundation subjects, Physics major units, electives and a 12-month professional placement.

Indicative Physics major subjects include:

Year 1:

• Electronics and Electromagnetism – PHY10004
• Discovering the Universe – AST10001
• Energy and Motion – PHY10001 or Introduction to Physics – PHY10002
• Calculus and Applications – MTH10012 or the relevant mathematics pathway
• Concepts of Biology – BIO10001
• Chemistry 1 – CHE10001 or Introduction to Chemistry – CHE10004
• Sustainability Challenges in Science – NPS10003

Year 2:

• Optics, Relativity and Subatomic Physics – PHY20004
• Quantum Mechanics and Solid State Physics – PHY20007
• Classical Mechanics and Electromagnetism – PHY20008
• Physics Research Laboratories – PHY30005
• Societal Challenges in Science – NPS20011
• Elective units

Professional placement:

• Work Experience in Industry A – WEI20001
• Integrated Professional Placement A – Science – NPS20003
• Work Experience in Industry B – WEI20002
• Integrated Professional Placement B – Science – NPS20004

Year 4:

• Thermal Physics and Statistical Mechanics – PHY30003
• Quantum, Atomic and Optical Physics – PHY30004
• Grand Challenges in Science – NPS30004
• Elective units

Physics students therefore encounter topics such as:

• Classical mechanics
• Electromagnetism
• Optics
• Relativity
• Quantum mechanics
• Solid-state physics
• Subatomic physics
• Thermal physics
• Statistical mechanics
• Atomic and optical physics
• Astrophysics and the universe
• Experimental physics
• Scientific modelling
• Python and data analysis
• Physics research and laboratory methods

Disciplines/Specialisations

The selected discipline is Physics.

Within the Physics major, Swinburne highlights classical and modern physics together with areas such as:

• Quantum technology
• Optical physics
• Atomic physics
• Nuclear physics
• Condensed-matter physics
• Astrophysics
• Experimental physics
• Nanoscience
• Quantum sensing

Programme Highlights

• 4-year Bachelor of Science (Professional).
• 375 credit points.
• Physics major with 100 credit points of Physics study.
• 12-month paid professional placement opportunity.
• 100 credit points of professional placement.
• Approximately 1,672–1,976 hours of professional placement experience.
• Three industry-linked projects.
• Practical laboratory and experimental learning.
• Physics and quantum-focused laboratory experience.
• Python coding and data-analysis development.
• Australian Institute of Physics accreditation pathway when the Physics major is combined with the Higher Mathematics Minor.
• Current Swinburne subject-ranking claims include Top 5 in Australia for Physics and Top 50 globally for Space Science.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne identifies the following career opportunities for the Physics major:

• Research and development physicist
• Financial modeller and forecaster
• Medical physicist
• Meteorologist and climate modeller
• Astrophysicist
• Data analyst

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

The latest published course information confirms:

• The course remains a 4-year Professional Degree.
• The course has a 2027 Semester 1 start on 1 March 2027 and Semester 2 start on 2 August 2027.
• The course remains based at Hawthorn.
• CRICOS code is 095882G.
• The published professional structure remains 375 credit points.
• The 12-month professional placement is an integral part of the Professional Degree.
• AIP accreditation is conditional on completing the Physics major together with the Higher Mathematics Minor.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students intending to study this programme in Australia generally require an Australian Student visa (subclass 500).

Key requirements and conditions include:

• A valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for the course.
• Genuine Student (GS) requirement.
• Evidence of sufficient financial capacity when required.
• Appropriate English-language evidence when required.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
• Health and character requirements.
• A valid passport.
• Australian Values Statement for applicants aged 18 or over.
• Any required health examinations and biometrics.