Study Physics at Otago
Overview
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.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science (BSc)
- Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons))
- Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci)
- Master of Science (MSc)
Papers
See the full list of Physics (PHSI) papers.
Programme Requirements
Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Physics
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | 18 18 18 18 | |
| 200-level | ELEC 253 (recommended) | 18 18 18 18 18 18 |
| 300-level | One other 300-level PHSI or ELEC paper | 18 18 18 18 |
| Plus | 108 further points Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science Note: PHSI 191 assumes an understanding of NCEA Level 2 physics; PHSI 131 and 132 assume an understanding of NCEA Level 3 physics and mathematics | 108 |
| Total | 360 |
Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)) in Physics
| Stage | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st stage |
54 further points |
18 18 18 18 54 |
| 2nd stage |
ELEC 253 (recommended) 18 further points |
18 18 18 18 18 18 18 |
| 3rd stage |
One 300-level PHSI or ELEC paper One 300-level MATH paper One further 300-level paper |
18 18 18 18 18 18 18 |
| 4th stage |
PHSI 490 and five further papers from 300- and 400-level PHSI, ELEC 353 including no more than two 300-level papers or PHSI 480 and six further papers from 300- and 400-level PHSI, ELEC 353, ELEC 354, including no more than three 300-level papers
|
138 or 144 |
|
There is no second stage Honours course in this subject; admission to the Honours programme is normally at third stage (after passing a total of 252 points, including at least 108 points above 100-level, in the first and second years of study). |
Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci) in Physics
| Papers |
|---|
PHSI 480 and five further 300- or 400-level PHSI or ELEC papers, including at least three PHSI papers or Seven 300- or 400-level PHSI or ELEC papers, including at least four PHSI papers No more than two 300-level papers may be taken |
Note: With the approval of the Head of Department or Programme Director concerned, a 48 point dissertation or project may be substituted for any project of fewer points prescribed in the table above. |
Master of Science (MSc) in Physics
| Papers |
|---|
PHSI 495, and 108 points from 300- or 400-level PHSI or ELEC papers, with no more than 36 points at 300-level. PHSI 5 (thesis) |
Minor Subject Requirements
Physics as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc) or Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | See below |
|
| 200-level | See below |
|
| 300-level | Five PHSI papers, at least three of which must be above 100-level, including at least one at 300-level or above | 90 |
| MATH 160 and MATH 170 are prerequisites or corequisites for some PHSI papers | ||
| Total | 90 |
Further Information
Email us at physics@otago.ac.nz or visit our home page http://www.otago.ac.nz/physics
