Course details

Summary

The Bachelor of Science (BSc) is a three-year undergraduate degree which enables each student to develop his or her own interests in a science subject (science major) and related subjects. Students have the flexibility to combine their major subject with other science subjects, as well as subjects from other disciplines across the University.

Physics tries to answer the bottom-line questions: What? and Why? when we see things in nature that are not understood. For instance, why is the sky blue whereas sunsets are red? What happens when a star explodes? What is radiation? What causes an aurora? Physics also involves the application of this knowledge to other fields. For instance, if you really understand about lasers then you will be better placed to develop new uses for them in applications such as communications, engineering and medical science. Often students take a degree in Physics because they have a particular career in mind, but for many their first priority is simply to understand Physics. They take Physics because it interests them.

Programme Requirements

100-level

PHSI 131 Fundamentals of Physics I, or PHSI 191 Biological Physics

PHSI 132 Fundamentals of Physics II

MATH 160 Mathematics 1

MATH 170 Mathematics 2

200-level

PHSI 231 Quantum and Thermal Physics

PHSI 232 Electromagnetism and Optics

PHSI 282 Experimental Physics 1

MATH 202 Linear Algebra

MATH 203 Calculus of Several Variables

ELEC 253 recommended

300-level

PHSI 331 Quantum, Atomic and Particle Physics

PHSI 332 Electromagnetism and Condensed Matter

PHSI 381 Experimental Physics II

One other 300-level PHSI or ELEC paper

Plus

126 further points, must include 18 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science.

Notes: (i) PHSI 191 assumes an understanding of NCEA Level 2 Physics; PHSI 131 and 132 assume an understanding of NCEA Level 3 Physics and Mathematics.

(ii) Qualified candidates may substitute ELEC 253 or PHSI 243 for PHSI 131 with approval from the Head of Department.

Total 360

Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)) is also available.

A specific aim of the Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)) degree is to develop advanced theoretical and research skills and in so doing to provide a platform for an advanced professional or academic career.

Entry criteria

The minimum requirement for students is the completion of a high school qualification plus satisfactory completion of one year's study at an approved tertiary institution or successful completion New Zealand Foundation Year programme.

We also accept the following International qualifications: International Baccalaureate: IB Diploma with a minimum of 26 points; GCE Advanced Levels: minimum grade of 8.

English Language Requirements:

IELTS score of 6.0 in the academic module (with no individual band below 6.0); Internet-based TOEFL Score of 80 (writing 20); Paper-based TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 550 (TWE 4.5); CIE Cambridge International Examinations Grade E or better in AS English; Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) - Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169); Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) - Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169); GCE 'A' Level or 'AS' Level English Language or English Literature - grade C or higher; GCE 'AS' Level General Paper (English) - grade C or higher; APIEL (Advanced Placement International English Language) Examination - grade 3 or higher; IB International Baccalaureate - English at Higher or Standard level in Language A: literature, Language A: language and literature, or at Higher level in Language B; Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic - Overall score of 58 with no communicative skills score below 50.