Physics
Why study Physics?
Our coursework program includes Master’s training and advanced skills in space physics, x-ray science, and surface and materials science. We provide experience and competence in experimental work whether laboratory or environmental and field-based. Master’s level students complete a project in space physics, x-ray science or surface and materials science. Qualified graduates are eligible for membership of the Institute of Physics.
See the Research tab for information about Master's by research, or PhD.
Career opportunities
Graduates are prepared for work in diverse areas involving technology and research, and in the commercial and administrative sectors.
Courses
Local students
2013
Master of Nanotechnology
- Duration :
- 2 years full-time or up to 4 years part-time.
- Semester starts :
- Semester 1 and 2 (March and July)
- Campus:
- Melbourne
- Year
- 2013
- Course description
- This course features in-depth lecture subjects, seminars by leading practitioners, and a wide range of practical learning opportunities. Graduates should be equipped with the broad range of skills required to excel in the rapidly developing field of nanotechnology - understanding, creating and controlling events on the scale of nanometres (millionths of a millimetre). The course has a strong research focus, with high-achieving students working in the state-of-the-art research laboratories equipped with world-class fabrication and analytical technology.
The course has two streams, a research stream and a regular stream. - Prerequisite
- Three-year undergraduate degree in physics, including at least two years of chemistry, and a minimum third year grade average of 65 per cent, or equivalent. Please note student numbers are limited at each course intake.
- Fee amount
- Indicative (2012): $20,580 per 120 credit points.
- How to apply
- Apply directly to the University up to two weeks prior to the commencement of the course. Download, complete and submit a postgraduate coursework application form . Please ensure you also provide all supplementary information required.
- Professional recognition
- Graduates may be eligible for membership of the Australian Institute of Physics (AIP).
- Full course details
- Nanotechnology (Master)Melbourne
Master of Science in Physical Sciences
- Duration :
- 2 years full-time or up to 4 years part-time
- Semester starts :
- Semester 1 and 2 (March and July)
- Campus:
- Melbourne
- Year
- 2013
- Course description
- This course covers the research areas of space physics, x-ray science and surface and materials science. It provides students with experience and competence in areas of physics where experimental work is vastly different, being either laboratory- or environment/field-based. The course greatly enhances research and employment opportunities. Students select a project in either space physics, x-ray science or surface and materials science.
- Prerequisite
- Three-year Bachelor degree with a major in physics and a minimum grade average of 65% in third year, or equivalent.
- Fee amount
- Indicative (2012): $20,580 per 120 credit points.
- How to apply
- Apply directly to the University up to two weeks prior to the commencement of the course. Download, complete and submit a postgraduate coursework application form. Please ensure you also provide all supplementary information required.
- Professional recognition
- Qualified graduates are eligible for membership of the Institute of Physics.
- Full course details
- Science (Physical Sciences) - MasterMelbourne
Postgraduate Diploma in Science
- Duration :
- 1 year full-time or up to 2 years part-time
- Semester starts :
- Semester 1 and 2 (March and July)
- Campus:
- Albury-Wodonga
- Melbourne
- Year
- 2013
- Course description
- This course offers students study options in various disciplines, depending on campus of enrolment. Melbourne: biochemistry, botany, chemistry, genetics, mathematics, microbiology, physics, statistical sciences, and zoology. Albury-Wodonga: environmental management and ecology, botany, chemistry, genetics, microbiology, statistical science and zoology.
- Prerequisite
- Bachelor degree in an area relevant to the chosen discipline.
- Fee amount
- Indicative (2012): $20,580 per 120 credit points.
- Additional information
- Start dates vary according to discipline. Some disciplines begin in February at Melbourne campus and January at Albury-Woodonga campus, before the regular undergraduate year; some have no mid-year entry. For details, check with relevant departments.
Chemistry, physics, mathematics and statistical sciences are only available at the Melbourne campus. - How to apply
- If applying to the Melbourne campus apply directly to the University up to two weeks prior to commencement of the course.
If applying to the Albury Woodonga campus, please do so before 16 December 2011.
Download, complete and submit a postgraduate website. Please ensure you also provide all supplementary information required. - Professional recognition
- Depending on the specific studies chosen, graduates may be eligible for accreditation with a relevant science professional association.
- Full course details
- Science (Postgraduate Diploma)Melbourne
How to apply?
Methods of application vary from course to course. Please see the course entry above for details of how to apply for the course you are interested in.
Fees and scholarships
Postgraduate coursework programs are either:
- Fee-paying (where you pay the full cost of the course). FEE-HELP is available.
- CSP (Commonwealth Supported Place), subsidised by the Commonwealth Government where you pay a contribution towards course costs. HECS-HELP is available.
Students enrolled for certain postgraduate coursework programs may be eligible for student income support.
International students
2013
Master of Nanotechnology (064432B )
- Duration :
- 2 years
- Semester starts :
- Semester 1 and 2 (March and July)
- Annual Tution Fee (AUD) :
- 25 060
- Campus
- Melbourne
- Year
- 2013
- Course description
- This course features in-depth lecture subjects, seminars by leading practitioners, and a wide range of practical learning opportunities. Graduates should be equipped with the broad range of skills required to excel in the rapidly developing field of nanotechnology - understanding, creating and controlling events on the scale of nanometres (millionths of a millimetre). The course has a strong research focus, with high-achieving students working in the state-of-the-art research laboratories equipped with world-class fabrication and analytical technology.
The course has two streams, a research stream and a regular stream. Melbourne - English Language Requirements
- IELTS (Academic): minimum score of 6.5 with no individual band score less than 6.0.
TOEFL Paper-based Test: minimum score of 575 (minimum score of 5 in the Test of Written English).
TOEFL Internet-based Test: minimum score of 80 with minimum overall for SLR 18; W 22.
La Trobe Melbourne (ELICOS): completion of English for Further Studies Advanced Stage 5B Certificate at postgraduate (EFS5 (70 per cent) PG1) level. For more information please visit the La Trobe Melbourne website.
English as the language of instruction in tertiary studies may be accepted.
Please note: English as the language of instruction in previous study will not be accepted as a basis of admission (English)
for courses where the approved test score requirement is above an IELTS 6.5 with no band score lower than 6.0.
Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE): minimum score of 64 with no communicative skill score less than 59.
Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): a grade of B or higher.
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): a grade of C or higher.
Or approved international equivalent. Melbourne - Academic entry requirements
- An Australian Bachelor's degree, or approved international equivalent, containing a major in physics and at least two years of chemistry. Applicants should have obtained a minimum average of 65 per cent in the third year of their Bachelor's degree, or have reached an equivalent standard as assessed by the nanotechnology course coordinator. Melbourne
- Professional recognition
- Graduates may be eligible to become members of the Australian Institute of Physics (AIP). Melbourne
- Full course details
- Nanotechnology (Master)Melbourne
Master of Science in Physical Sciences (028640D)
- Duration :
- 2 years
- Semester starts :
- Semester 1 and 2 (March and July)
- Annual Tution Fee (AUD) :
- 25 740
- Campus
- Melbourne
- Year
- 2013
- Course description
- This course covers the research areas of space physics, x-ray science and surface and materials science. It provides students with experience and competence in areas of physics where experimental work is vastly different, being either laboratory- or environment/field-based. The course greatly enhances research and employment opportunities. Students select a project in either space physics, x-ray science or surface and materials science. Melbourne
- English Language Requirements
- IELTS (Academic): minimum score of 6.5 with no individual band score less than 6.0.
TOEFL Paper-based Test: minimum score of 575 (minimum score of 5 in the Test of Written English).
TOEFL Internet-based Test: minimum score of 80 with minimum overall for SLR 18; W 22.
La Trobe Melbourne (ELICOS): completion of English for Further Studies Advanced Stage 5B Certificate at postgraduate (EFS5 (70 per cent) PG1) level. For more information please visit the La Trobe Melbourne website.
English as the language of instruction in tertiary studies may be accepted.
Please note: English as the language of instruction in previous study will not be accepted as a basis of admission (English)
for courses where the approved test score requirement is above an IELTS 6.5 with no band score lower than 6.0.
Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE): minimum score of 64 with no communicative skill score less than 59.
Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): a grade of B or higher.
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): a grade of C or higher.
Or approved international equivalent. Melbourne - Academic entry requirements
- An Australian Bachelor's degree in physics or approved international equivalent, with a minimum 65 per cent grade average in the third year. Melbourne
- Professional recognition
- Qualified graduates may be eligible for membership of the Australian Institute of Physics (AIP). Melbourne
- Full course details
- Science (Physical Sciences) - MasterMelbourne
Postgraduate Diploma in Science (003303E)
- Duration :
- 1 year
- Semester starts :
- Semester 1 (March)
- Annual Tution Fee (AUD) :
- 25 060
- Campus
- Albury-Wodonga, Melbourne
- Year
- 2013
- Course description
- This course offers students study options in various disciplines, depending on campus of enrolment. Melbourne: biochemistry, botany, chemistry, genetics, mathematics, microbiology, physics, statistical sciences, and zoology. Albury-Wodonga: environmental management and ecology, botany, chemistry, genetics, microbiology, statistical science and zoology.
- English Language Requirements
- IELTS (Academic): minimum score of 6.5 with no individual band score less than 6.0.
TOEFL Paper-based Test: minimum score of 575 (minimum score of 5 in the Test of Written English).
TOEFL Internet-based Test: minimum score of 80 with minimum overall for SLR 18; W 22.
La Trobe Melbourne (ELICOS): completion of English for Further Studies Advanced Stage 5B Certificate at postgraduate (EFS5 (70 per cent) PG1) level. For more information please visit the La Trobe Melbourne website.
English as the language of instruction in tertiary studies may be accepted.
Please note: English as the language of instruction in previous study will not be accepted as a basis of admission (English)
for courses where the approved test score requirement is above an IELTS 6.5 with no band score lower than 6.0.
Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE): minimum score of 64 with no communicative skill score less than 59.
Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): a grade of B or higher.
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): a grade of C or higher.
Or approved international equivalent. Albury-Wodonga, Melbourne - Academic entry requirements
- An Australian Bachelor's degree or approved international equivalent, with a major in a relevant area. Albury-Wodonga, Melbourne
- Additional information
- Please note this course has January and July start dates at the Albury-Wodonga campus. Also, start dates vary according to the discipline chosen. Some disciplines begin in February, before the start of Semester 1 (March); while other subjects had no Semester 2 (July) dates. For details on structure and subject, check
with relevant departments of the faculty Albury-Wodonga, Melbourne - Professional recognition
- Depending on the specific studies chosen, graduates may be eligible for accreditation with a relevant scientific professional association. Albury-Wodonga, Melbourne
- Full course details
- Science (Postgraduate Diploma)Melbourne
How to apply?
Enquire now about any course for international students or find out how to apply.
Fees and scholarships
Estimated fees for international students are indicated for each course above. Fees are indicative only and set at 120 credit points per course, unless otherwise stated, and may vary depending on the number of credit points in which students enrol. Some courses may vary in credit point load and fees will be adjusted accordingly.
There is also a range of scholarships available for international students to assist students.
Related study options
Your study experience
Overseas study opportunities
Gain valuable overseas experience by studying with one of our global exchange partners. La Trobe has partnerships with over 100 universities in more than 30 countries in Asia, Europe, and North and South America. See education abroad.
Student and graduate profiles
Students from our Faculty talk about their experience at La Trobe.
About the academic staff
You'll get to meet a large number of academic staff during your studies, from tutors through to lecturers and supervisors. You can view staff in Physics or search all staff in the Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering.


