Biology, chemistry, engineering, medicine – pull them apart bit by bit and, at their most fundamental level, they all come down to physics. So, if you want to understand how a bumblebee flies, or how human metabolism works, or how to design a wind turbine that doesn’t fall down, study physics.
The Physical Sciences subject set
PHYC10001/10003 | + | PHYC10002/10004/10006 |
Which Physical Sciences subjects should I take?
That depends! There are several subjects available, and you’ll choose initially based on your existing physics knowledge, and then on the area of physics you’re most interested in.
Semester 1 – choose from:
- PHYC10009 Foundations of Physics
This subject is designed for students with minimal background in physics and will build your understanding of a range of important physics principles and applications. - PHYC10003 Physics 1
You can choose this subject if you’ve completed VCE Physics 3/4 (or equivalent). This is the standard Semester 1 subject choice for the Physical Sciences subject set. If you didn’t complete VCE Specialist Mathematics 3/4 (or equivalent), it is recommended that you enrol in Calculus 1 as well. - PHYC10001 Physics 1: Advanced
This subject is for students who want a deeper, more challenging introduction to physics, who scored excellent results in both VCE Specialist Mathematics 3/4 (or equivalent)– normally an unscaled score of at least 35, and VCE Units 3/4 Physics (or equivalent) – normally an unscaled score of at least 35.
Semester 2 – choose from:
- PHYC10004 Physics 2: Physical Sciences and Technology
This is the recommended Semester 2 subject choice for students who want to major in Physics, Mathematical Physics or any Engineering Systems stream. You’ll learn about principles of physics with applications relevant to these areas. - PHYC10006 Physics 2: Life Sciences and Environment
This is the recommended Semester 2 subject choice for students who want to major in one of the biomedical sciences. You’ll learn about principles of physics with applications relevant to these areas. - PHYC10002 Physics 2: Advanced
If you completed PHYC10001 in Semester 1, you’re encouraged to enrol in this subject in Semester 2, where you’ll learn about
the theory and applications of physics principles. This subject isn’t available to students who completed PHYC10009 in Semester 1.
Other Physical Sciences subjects
Interested in physics, but not keen on the Physical Sciences subject set? Or looking to expand upon it? These subjects are available to all BSc students. Remember, you must complete Level 1 subjects from at least two different areas of science and you can take a maximum of three subjects from any one area.
- PHYC10008 From the Solar System to the Cosmos
Explore all aspects of our universe, from the solar system we live in to the Milky Way and beyond. - MULT10011 Introduction to Life, Earth & Universe
Tackle the big questions through this subject, from asking about life on Earth to considering the structure of the universe.
Majors linked to Physical Sciences
This subject set is a requirement for the following majors:
| Electrical Systems | Mathematical Physics | Mechanical Systems | Mechatronics Systems |
| Physics |
Physical Sciences are taught by the School of Physics
The School of Physics investigates the natural laws that govern the smallest particles in the universe to the origin and fate of the cosmos itself. We study and build advanced materials and technologies that transform our world and take us to the edge of human knowledge.
Other study areas available
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Biological Sciences
All life shares a common ancestor, so whether your end goal is medical, veterinary or other health sciences, agriculture, ecology, conservation, or just a solid understanding of how the biosphere works, it all starts in the same place.
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Chemical Sciences
So, what is chemistry all about? The better question is, what isn’t chemistry all about? Whether it’s harnessing renewable energy sources, next-gen nanotechnology, or new medical breakthroughs, chemistry is an ever-present and vital tool for shaping the technologies of tomorrow.
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Earth Sciences
Combine the experimental side of chemistry and the hands-on work of biology, with the analytical and spatial aspects of maths and the global focus of geography and environmental sciences. That’s Earth Sciences!
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Engineering Systems
Are you a problem-solver? An innovator? Do you like to pull things apart and put them back together again just to see how they work? Then engineering systems may be the right choice for you.
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Geography
Our society is shaped by where we live. Geography is the who, what, where, when and why of us and our place in the world. Geography combines the understanding of environmental and ecological processes with observations of how humans interact with their environments through time.
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Information Technology
The world is awash with information, and IT is the central nervous system of our modern world. The internet of things. The cloud. How do we store, secure, interpret and present the 2.5 quintillion bytes of data we produce every minute? The answer is in the hands of computer programmers, data scientists and other IT specialists.
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Mathematics and Statistics
Every scientist, engineer, medical specialist and economist uses maths and/or statistics, all the time. And there is so much more to it than you’ve studied in high school! Discover branches of mathematics and statistics that you never knew existed and learn to answer questions you might never have thought to ask.
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Psychological Sciences
Whether you’re just curious or looking to incorporate psychology into your future career, study psychological sciences to explore every stage of human behaviour, and learn the practical aspects of developmental, social and clinical psychology.
Next steps
Now that you’ve learned all about your subject set options, you can start enrolling – if you need additional help, make sure to contact Stop 1.