IN AstroNomy ANd AstroPHysICs - Physics and Astronomy

www.physics.mq.edu.auSCIENCEBACHELOR OF ADVANCED science WITH A MAJORIN Astronomy and astroPHYSICSDo you have a talent for Physics and an interest in Astronomy?The Bachelor of Advanced Science with a major in Astronomy and Astrophysics is an elite degreesuitable for gifted and talented physics students with an interest in astronomy. Student numbersare restricted so you will enjoy personal attention from your own academic mentor throughoutyour degree and special advanced units. You will have close interaction with academics from threeof Macquarie University’s major concentrations of research excellence: Astronomy and Astrophysics,Lasers and Photonics and Quantum Information Science. You will benefit from our close links with theAustralian Astronomical Observatory and CSIRO’s Division of Astronomy and Space Science, which areboth located near campus. You will have the opportunity to use optical and radio telescopes at theUniversity’s observatory; participate in research; and gain practical experience working in our leadingresearch laboratories. A summer vacation scholarship and a third year research project are included.What you study1st year: lays the foundations in physics and mathematics. Youwill participate in an accelerated learning program including shortcourses, seminars, discussions and a literature-based research projectin modern astronomy & astrophysics. Other optional units includeastronomy, engineering, chemistry, computing and biology.2nd year: continues studies of astronomy and astrophysics,physics, and mathematics. You can also enrol in units in areassuch as photonics, engineering or computing. Students have theopportunity to do a vacation research internship. This will allowyou to experience the excitement of working alongside graduateresearch students, research fellows and academics on a researchproject within our high-profile astronomy and astrophysics group.3rd year: you will learn about advanced topics in astrophysics suchas stellar evolution, interstellar processes including shocks, galacticstructure, radiative transfer and general relativity. You will learnadvanced topics including quantum mechanics, electromagnetism,solid state and atomic physics. The program includes seminarsand discussions of advanced topics and advanced project work.Additional units may include mathematics, engineering orcomputing. As part of your Capstone unit, you will attend researchseminars on and off campus, and will undertake a major project,typically with professional astronomers from the AustralianAstronomical Observatory and CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science.Entry requirementsThe Bachelor of Advanced Science in Astronomy and Astrophysicsprogram requires HSC Mathematics Band 4 or equivalent. Higherlevels of Physics and Mathematics are strongly recommended. It hasone of the highest ATAR cut-offs for a science program in Australia.ScholarshipsScholarships include: general support, equity, Indigenous students,sport, accommodation or international travel. For more informationgo to www.futurestudent.mq.edu.au/undergraduateResearch degreesPhysics and Astronomy at Macquarie University enjoys a high levelof international recognition for research excellence. The departmenthosts the Macquarie University research centre for Astronomy,Astrophysics and Astrophotonics.In 2013, Macquarie University will adopt a new postgraduateresearch degree structure, making it the first Australian universityto fully align with the European, North American and Asianqualifications. With greater international recognition for theirqualifications, graduates of the new degree will enjoy enhancedemployment opportunities and pathways to further study overseas.Consistent with the well-known ‘Bologna model’, the two-year fulltimeMaster of Research will replace honours as the main pathway toa Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master of Philosophy.Physics and astronomy at Macquarie University offers cutting-edgePhD projects in astronomy and astrophysics; quantum informationscience; semiconductor and condensed matter physics; photonics;and biophotonics.Astronomy postgraduates could proceed to a professionalAstronomy career in a University/Observatory (in Australia oroverseas) or enter industry in roles that require strong analytical skillsand independent thinking. The research projects vary from year toyear and those currently on offer can be found on the website byfollowing the links at www.physics.mq.edu.au/research

SUGGESTED PROGRAM OF STUDYBACHELOR OF ADVANCED SCIENCE WITH A MAJOR IN ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICSRequired and recommended units of study: Completion of a minimum of 72 credit points including the following prescribed and optional units. Thismajor must be completed as part of a degree. The general requirements for the degree must be satisfied in order to graduate.100 LEVEL200 LEVEL300 LEVELLEVEL CODE NAMECREDIT POINTSSEMESTER 1CREDIT POINTSSEMESTER 2Required PHYS188 Advanced Physics I 1.5 1.5Required PHYS106 Thermodynamics, Relativity and Fields 3Required PHYS107 Particles and Waves 3Required either MATH135 Mathematics IA 3or MATH132 Mathematics IA (Advanced) 3Required either MATH136 Mathematics IB 3or MATH133 Mathematics IB (Advanced) 3Recommended Additional Units: 3 of the following optional unitsOptional ASTR170 Introductory Astronomy 3Optional ASTR178 Other Worlds: Planets and Planetary Systems 3Optional COMP115 Introduction to Computer Science 3Optional COMP125 Fundamentals of Computer Science 3Optional ELEC141 Digital Fundamentals 3Optional STAT170 Introductory Statistics 3Required PHYS201 Physics IIA 3Required PHYS202 Physics IIB 3Required MATH235 Mathematics IIA 3Required ASTR278 Advanced Astronomy 3Recommended Additional Units: 3 of the following optional unitsOptional PHYS246 Advanced Physics II 3Optional MATH236 Mathematics IIB 3Optional COMP225 Algorithms and Data Structures 3 3Optional PHTN221 Introduction to Optical Science and Technology 3Optional COMP226 Computer Architecture 3Capstone PHYS388 Advanced Physics III 1.5 1.5Required ASTR310 Frontiers of Astronomy and Astrophysics 3Required ASTR377 Astrophysics I 3Required ASTR378 General Relativity 3Required PHYS301 Electromagnetism and Quantum Physics 3Recommended Additional Units: at least two of the following optional unitsOptional PHYS303 Atomic and Solid State Physics 3Optional PHYS304 Quantum Physics II 3Optional PHYS306 Optical Physics 3Optional MATH335 Mathematical Methods 3Required PLANET UNIT 3Required PEOPLE UNIT 3TOTAL CREDIT POINTS REQUIRED FOR THIS DEGREE 72Academic and administrative enquiriesTelephone: (02) 9850 6410Web: ask.mq.edu.auCRICOS Provider Number 00002JDisclaimer: This publication is correct at time of printing, August 2012. MacquarieUniversity reserves the right to change program details at any time and change itsfees without notice.Please note: This information is intended as a guide onlyand does not replace the Macquarie University Handbookof Undergraduate Studies. For full degree requirementsyou should refer to the Macquarie University Handbook ofUndergraduate Studies at www.handbook.mq.edu.auOfferings of units may change from year to year.SCIENCE