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Master of Science in Physical Sciences

Course code/s: PSMSC - Melbourne

This course is provided by the Department of Physics as a means for graduates to upgrade their skills, gaining experience in either laboratory-based or field-based experimental physics. Students develop their theoretical knowledge through the selection of subjects in physics, space science, X-ray science and materials and surface science; Research stream students choose a project in one of these areas. Some electives may be chosen from other departments in the School of Engineering and Mathematical Science. Subject to approval by the Physics Postgraduate Coordinator, students may choose suitable coursework subjects from other approved disciplines within the Faculty.

Admission requirements

Applicants should have obtained a minimum average of 65% in the third year of a three year pass degree in physics, or have reached an equivalent standard as judged by the Physics Postgraduate Coordinator.

There is a quota on the number of students to be enrolled at each course intake. The best applicants will be selected, based on their provision of a curriculum vitae and their academic record.

Course intakes occur twice per year at the beginning of the La Trobe University teaching semesters.

The Physics Postgraduate Coordinator will assist commencing students to develop and have approved a tailored program of study, matched to both their current academic achievements and future career directions.

Course structure

The full-time course is of two years (four semesters) duration. Part-time enrolment is available. The duration of a part-time enrolment should be equivalent to four semesters of a full-time enrolment. The course has two streams, an honours stream and a regular stream. The first year is common and comprises 120 credit points of coursework subjects. The second year of the regular stream comprises a further 120 credit points of coursework subjects.

Students who achieve an average of 65% in all their subjects in the first year of the course and who demonstrate an aptitude for research and experimentation may be invited to join the research stream. These students will undertake a 60 credit point masters research thesis (approximately 18,000 words) along with a further 60 credit points of coursework subjects, as a part of the second year. Graduation from the research stream fulfils the requirements for entry into a PhD in a relevant discipline area at La Trobe University.

Students should note that they may take out the award of Postgraduate Diploma in Science (SPSC) after successfully completing the first year of the Masters course only if they decide not to proceed to the second year of the Masters course.

Note that a maximum of 60 credit points from undergraduate subjects (Level 1, 2 and 3 including those listed in Group C) may be counted toward the degree.

First year (120 credit points)

Core subjects (75 credit points)

Choose a minimum of 45 credit points from Group A (Level 4, 5) subjects.

Choose a minimum of 30 credit points from Group C (Level 3) subjects.

Electives (45 credit points)

Choose further subjects from Group A, B and C to the value of 45 credit points. Group A subjects are recommended.

Other undergraduate and postgraduate level subjects offered in relevant disciplines of the Faculty may be selected with the approval of both the Physics Postgraduate Coordinator and the department or area offering the subject.

Second year (120 credit points)

Students undertake one of the following streams of study:

Regular Stream

Choose further subjects from Group A, B and C to the value of 120 credit points. Group A subjects are recommended.

Other undergraduate and postgraduate level subjects offered in the relevant disciplines of the Faculty may be selected with the approval of both the Physics Postgraduate Coordinator and the department or area offering the subject.

Research Stream

Core subjects (60 credit points)

Teaching period	Subject name	Subject code	Credit points
TE-SEM-1 or 2	Physics Masters Thesis A	PHY5THA	30
TE-SEM-1 or 2	Physics Masters Thesis B	PHY5THB	30

PHY5THX (60 credit points) Physics Masters Thesis Extended (completed in one semester) to accommodate special circumstances and non-standard enrolments, with the approval of the Physics Postgraduate Coordinator.

Electives (60 credit points)

Choose further subjects from Groups A and B to the value of 60 credit points. Group A subjects are recommended.

Other undergraduate and postgraduate level subjects offered in the relevant disciplines of the Faculty may be selected with the approval of both the Physics Postgraduate Coordinator and the department or area offering the subject.

Group A (Level 4, 5) subjects

Most subjects have prerequisites

Teaching period	Subject name	Subject code	Credit points
TE-SEM-2	Quantum Mechanics and Electrodynamics	PHY4QME	15
TE-SEM-1	Solar-Terrestrial Physics	PHY4STP	15
TE-SEM-1	Mesoscopic Nanoscience	PHY4MES	15
TE-SEM-2	Surface Science	PHY4SSC	15
TE-SEM-1	X-ray Science	PHY4XRY	15
TE-SEM-2	Neutral Atmosphere	PHY4NEU	15
TE-SEM-1 or 2	Directed Study in Physics	PHY5DIR	15

Group B (Level 4, 5) Subjects

Most subjects have prerequisites

Teaching period	Subject name	Subject code	Credit points
TE-SEM-1 or 2	Industry Project 4A	CSE4PRA	15
TE-SEM-1 or 2	Industry Project 4B	CSE4PRB	15
TE-SEM-1	Advanced Signal Processing	ELE4ASP	15
TE-SEM-1	Optical Fibre Communication Systems	ELE4OFC	15
TE-SEM-2	Antennas and Propagation	ELE4ANS	15
TE-SEM-2	Imaging Processing and Coding	ELE4IPC	15
TE-SEM-1 or 2	Regression Analysis	STA4RA	15

Group C (Level 3) Subjects

Most subjects have prerequisites

Teaching period	Subject name	Subject code	Credit points
TE-SEM-1	Physics of Quantum Matter	PHY3PQM	15
TE-SEM-1	Atomic and Nuclear Physics	PHY3ANP	15
TE-SEM-2	Thermal and Statistical Physics	PHY3TSP	15
TE-SEM-2	Electromagnetic Theory and Plasma Physics	PHY3EPP	15
TE-SEM-1	Scientific Computing	MAT3SC	15
TE-SEM-2	Dynamics and Quantum Mechanics	MAT3DQ	15

Advanced standing

Advanced standing may be available for previous tertiary studies, for subjects completed equivalent to fourth year level or the completion of a Postgraduate Diploma in Science majoring in Physics or a related discipline.

Subject offerings may change according to available staffing resources and because of the ongoing process of evaluation and updating of content. Additional information on subjects is available from the School’s course handbooks.

Please note: Some of these subjects may not be offered in the current year. For a full description of subjects, including the subject name, subject code, credit points, campus/location, teaching period and availability, subject coordinator, class requirements, assessment, prerequisites and readings, please click on the appropriate Subject Code or refer to the Subject/Unit Database at www.latrobe.edu.au/udb_public.