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.
Contact details
Email physics@otago.ac.nz
Website otago.ac.nz/physics
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
- 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 | 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 | 18 18 18 18 |
| 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 | 18 18 18 18 18 |
| 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 | 18 18 18 18 |
| 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. | 126 |
| Total | 360 |
Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)) in Physics
| Papers |
|---|
Prerequisites: |
Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci) in Physics
| Papers |
|---|
Only one of PHSI 480 Research Project, or PHSI 490 Dissertation, may be included. |
Master of Science (MSc) in Physics
| Papers and Thesis |
|---|
Minor Subject Requirements
Physics as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BTheol, BSc, BAppSc, BCom, BHealSc, or BASc degree
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), or Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) 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 |
