Overview 2020
Location
Commonwealth Supported places available
This course may not be available to international students. Please see the list of distance courses (i.e. online and taken outside Australia) that are offered to international students
View archived years for this course
For years prior to 2015, please view the Course and Unit Handbook Archive
View the current year's course page
Course objectives
Students completing the Master of Applied Science (Physics) will:
- acquire advanced current knowledge in Physics;
- acquire advanced research skills that can lead to workplace research and/or a HDR course;
- engage in research and development projects in the field of Physics;
- be able to apply advanced current knowledge, skill and principles learning in the course to their respective workplace contexts;
- develop an understanding how Physics can be applied to solve global problems from a scientific perspective.
Course structure
This program has either a 1.5 - or 2-year structure, depending on your background (see academic requirements).
1.5 Year Program (3 Semesters):
A three-semester program will comprise:
1. 100% postgraduate-level units as listed in Schedule B.
2. a Research Thesis (50%, as per Schedule C) which shall embody the results of research carried out under the direction of a supervisor or supervisors appointed by the appropriate School.
2 Year Program (4 Semesters):
A four-semester program will comprise:
1. 50% consolidation units as listed in Schedule A with a maximum 25% intermediate units permitted.
2. 100% postgraduate-level units as listed in Schedule B.
3. a Research Thesis (50%, as per Schedule C) which shall embody the results of research carried out under the direction of a supervisor or supervisors appointed by the appropriate School.
If you would like further advice about what your Study Plan would look like at the University of Tasmania, please email Course.Info@utas.edu.au and we will put you in contact with an appropriate staff member.
Note: progression to the research thesis component requires a minimum performance standard of 65% average calculated on all units taken, including both pass and fail attempts.
Physics
Schedule A
Waves topics include oscillatory systems, the wave equation for vibrating wires, acoustic waves, electrical waves in coaxial cables or transmission lines. The Schrodinger wave equation and Fourier techniques for wave analysis will also be studied. Kinetic theory topics include molecular…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
Electromagnetism topics include electric and magnetic fields using the vector operators of divergence, gradient and curl, properties of induced polarisation and magnetisation in materials, induction effects, and finally Maxwell's equations and electromagnetic radiation. Applications of electromagnetic phenomena in nature, scientific…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for KYA212 Electromagnetism and Thermodynamics
This unit extends concepts from single variable calculus (KMA152 and KMA154) into the domain of several variables. Particular attention is given to the 3 dimensional Cartesian, cylindrical, and spherical coordinate systems. Topics include the analysis of general surfaces, quadric surfaces…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
Provides grounding in theoretical physics for students interested in doing Honours in Theoretical Physics or Applied Mathematics. Topics covered include: Linear and Non-linear systems, examples. Phase plane and phase space. The Hartmann Linearization Theorem. Co-dimension 1 bifurcations; saddle-node, pitchfork and…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
Provides grounding in theoretical physics, for students interested in doing Honours in Theoretical Physics or Applied Mathematics. Topics covered include: Introduction to the state of stress in a continuum. Lagrangian and Eulerian descriptions of motion. Conservation laws for mass and…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
Advanced electromagnetism begins from Maxwell's equations and investigates in detail the following topics.The properties of electromagnetic waves in dielectrics and conductors, including study of how the phase and group velocity, impedance etc, depend on the conductance, relative permittivity and relative…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
Wave mechanics develops the ideas of quantum physics, starting with the wave/particle nature of matter and radiation. Topics include an introduction to quantum behaviour via examples such as electron spin and photon polarisation states, Heisenberg's principle, and applications of the…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for KYA321 Wave Mechanics and Quantum Mechanics
Atomic and nuclear physics studies atomic and nuclear structure and our understanding of these phenomena based on quantum mechanics. Topics include alkali and alkaline earth spectra, the physics of angular momentum, exchange forces, spin and the Pauli principle, many electron…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
Fundamental numerical processes for obtaining approximate but useful solutions to mathematical models. Topics include: errors in computations; solution of linear and non-linear equations arising from problems in the physical and biological sciences, commerce and engineering; approximation of functions; numerical integration…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
Introduction to partial differential equations that arise in applied mathematics, physics, biological science, commerce, and engineering. First-order PDEs: the linear wave equation, method of characteristics, traffic flow models, wave breaking, and shocks. Second-order PDEs: Classification of PDEs and characteristic curves;…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for KMA354 Partial Differential Equations, Applications and Methods 3
This unit gives an introduction to Calculus of Variations and its use in optimal control theory. Review of basic multi-variable calculus, constrained maxima and minima, Lagrange multipliers. The "simplest problem" of the Calculus of Variations. The Euler-Lagrange equation. Application to…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
This unit provides the basic tools in the use of complex variables to solve practical problems in Applied Mathematics and Physics. It continues the use of integral transform methods to solve ordinary and partial differential equations. Analytic functions. The elementary…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
View all details for KMA382 Applied Complex Variables and Transform Theory
Covers use of calculus and applied linear algebra in solving problems that arise in the modelling of real-world situations in biology, physics, chemistry and engineering. Introduction to phenomena that involve continuous change with time; dynamical systems. Linear and non-linear differential…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for KMA254 Differential Equations, Linear Algebra & Applications 2
Statistical physics describes the structure of bulk matter - solids, liquids, gases, plasmas - in terms of very general assumptions about the behaviour of the basic constituents. It has close ties with both kinetic theory and thermodynamics but applies also…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
View all details for KYA322 Statistical Physics and Solid State Physics
Schedule B
The statistical mechanics component builds upon the basic foundations of statistical physics dealing with equilibrium quantum and classical gases. Topics include Liouville's theorem and the Boltzmann equation, and applications to transport processes such as diffusion, electrical and thermal conductivity and…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
View all details for KYA428 Statistical Mechanics and Plasma Physics
Preparation for research work (leading to a thesis) in radio astronomy; optical astronomy. Topics from other areas of physics may be undertaken if appropriate projects and/or supervision can be arranged.…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for KYA703 Master of Applied Science, Project
Starting with world lines in space-time and tensor analysis for special relativity, the corresponding notation for curved space is developed, leading to the geodesic equations and the Einstein field equations. Applications studied (via the Schwarzschild solution) include the major solar…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
Knowledge of symmetries and transformation groups is a vital part of formulating models of physical systems in a wide variety of applications, ranging from the standard contexts of classical mechanics and dynamics (which spawned the original development of the subject),…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
View all details for KYA427 Symmetries, Groups & Representations
Astrophysics is the investigation of the Universe. It enables us to study the behaviour of matter in extreme environments that cannot be replicated on Earth. Atmospheric physics plays an important role in understanding weather and climate systems. In this unit…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
View all details for KYA701 Astrophysics and Atmospheric Physics
The successful design and execution of astrophysical observations requires an in depth knowledge of the telescope, its instruments and their operation. The aim of this unit is to give students a theoretical and practical introduction to fundamental astronomical observation techniques.…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
This unit is an introduction to Quantative data analysis techniques. Covering topics from basic inference through o generalized linear models, time series analysis and clustering and discrimination, this subject gives students the opportunity to become familiar with a variety of…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Intensive Session Jun | ||||
Schedule C
blank_pageResearch work (leading to a thesis) in radio astronomy, optical astronomy; theoretical physics. Topics from other areas of physics can be undertaken if appropriate projects and/or supervision can be arranged.Enrolment consists of two 25% units; KYA708 and KYA709.…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for KYA708 Master of Applied Science (Physics), Thesis A
…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for KYA709 Master of Applied Science (Physics), Thesis B
Entry requirements
Eligibility
The Master of Applied Science may be completed in 3 or 4 semesters depending on level of qualifications on entry, and discipline preparedness of the specific candidate.
3 Semester Prerequisites
A Bachelor degree in a science field with a major in Physics completed to a standard of achievement that is deemed acceptable by the College.
4 Semester Prerequisites
A Bachelor degree in a science related area, and some background (e.g. minor sequence) in Physics completed to a standard of achievement that is deemed acceptable by the College.
Common
International students must provide an IELTS (Academic) test score of at least Band 6 with a minimum of 6.0 on all bands. Please refer to the International General Entrance Requirements.
All applicants must:
(1) demonstrate their qualification was conferred no longer that 10 years previously;
(2) provide a written statement of purpose outlining the reasons for their chosen specialisation. Please note that the statement must be no more than 500 words in length and be written in your own words.
Articulation to
Students completing the Master of Applied Science (Physics) will be eligible to apply for a HDR program, either MSc or PhD, contingent on performance.
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
Domestic students enrolled in a full fee paying place are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the fees you pay for each unit you enrol in. Full fee paying domestic students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.
Detailed tuition fee information for domestic students is available at the Domestic Student Fees website, including additional information in relation to a compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
Domestic students enrolled in certain postgraduate coursework programs may not be eligible for student payments through Youth Allowance and Austudy. Visit the Department of Social Services website to find out more about eligibility for Centrelink support and the list of eligible courses
International students
2020 Total Course Fee (international students): $62,983 AUD*.
Course cost based on a rate of $30,950 AUD per standard, full-time year of study (100 credit points).
* Please note that this is an indicative fee only.
International students
This Masters course is not approved by DEEWR for student income support payments (i.e. Youth Allowance and Austudy)
International students are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the annual rate. International students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.
Scholarships
For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.
How can we help?
Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.
- Domestic
- 1300 363 864
- International
- +61 3 6226 6200
- Course.Info@utas.edu.au
- Online
- Online enquiries