If you are interested in a research career in physics, an Honours degree is realistically the minimum requirement, although a Pass degree will prepare you for many careers in physics and related areas. It is also necessary to have an Honours degree before proceeding to postgraduate study. By doing Honours you gain not only the benefit of studying physics to a higher level (with a wide choice of courses to be taken), but you also gain invaluable experience in undertaking a research project supervised by one or more members of staff, and producing a Report. Many students also end up publishing one or more scientific papers based on their Honours research.
The School offers a lively academic environment, with roughly 28 academic staff, 6 Federation Fellows, more than 80 Research Fellows and Associates, and over 100 Postgraduate Research Students. Honours classes have recently had more than 25 students enrolled, enabling stimulating interaction between students. There is also a diverse range of postgraduate opportunities for those who wish to continue their studies.
During the Honours year you will be welcomed as a member of the active research group in which you undertake your project. You will be provided with office accommodation and access to the School's extensive computer facilities plus sophisticated software and (where relevant) laboratory and astronomical equipment. Employment for 1st Year teaching of a few hours per week may be available (information from the Student Support Office in the School of Physics).
Requirements for Entry to Honours Year
To be eligible to enrol in Physics Honours students shall
(a) have qualified for the award of a pass degree; or be a pass graduate of the Faculty of Science; or be a pass graduate holding a Bachelor of Science degree (or equivalent) from another institution;
(b) have 24 units of Senior Physics (or equivalent at another institution);
(c) have achieved a credit average (65) in the relevant Senior Physics units of study or a pass in Senior Physics with a weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 65, for their 2nd and 3rd years of undergraduate study.
In special circumstances, students not satisfying these requirements may be permitted to enrol, including those who have obtained good results in related disciplines (e.g., Mathematics, Chemistry) in 3rd Year. Students not satisfying these requirements may also be eligible to undertake the Physics Honours course as a candidate for the Graduate Diploma in Science (Physics). Students from other universities are eligible to enrol in Honours if their results are of equivalent standard.
Students intending to undertake a primarily theoretical project in Physics Honours are advised to take a substantial number of Mathematics options in their Senior Year. Suggested options can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions section of the Senior Physics Information webpage. All students are urged to take 36 - 48 credit points of Senior level courses (including at least 24 of Physics) prior to starting Honours. Such courses, in whatever subject area, provide far better preparation for Honours study than equivalent credit points at more junior levels.
Syllabus for Physics Honours
Six lecture courses chosen from the list given in the section Lecture Courses.
A research project in physics. These projects involve computational, experimental, observational, and/or theoretical research, and your work is assessed by a 30-minute talk and a 40-page (approximately 9000-words) report. The projects are supervised within the research groups of the School of Physics, although these groupings are flexible and students may often have projects which span interests in more than one research area. A more detailed listing of research areas and specific topics is given in the section Research Projects.
At the beginning of the March semester there is a program to introduce students to their Honours year, including a compulsory instructional course on Safety and Rescuscitation and a library information session on database management and bibliography tools. All Honours students are expected to attend School of Physics Colloquia which are usually held on Mondays, at 3:30 pm. The colloquium noticeboard is outside the Physics Tea Room.
Assessment
Half of the total marks available are allocated to coursework and half to the research project. The mark for the research project is obtained by combining the mark given by the student's own research group (weighting 60% for the project overall and 10% for a talk on the project) and a mark based on the report only (weighting 30%) assessed by examiners from other research areas in the School of Physics. A more detailed description of the project requirements is given in the Assessment for Research Projects page.
The method of assessment for lecture courses is at the lecturer's discretion.
On average, students' Honours grades in the Faculty of Science are about 10 marks higher than their WAMs. Therefore, on average, a student with a WAM of 70+ will achieve First Class Honours. For a WAM in the range 65-70, a grade of Honours H2.1 is likely, and for a WAM in the range 60-65 a likely grade is H2.2. However these grades should not be seen as guarantees, strict predictors or a limitation for any individual student. Your Honours mark is entirely determined by your performance according to the assessment criteria outlined in this handbook.
Honours students graduating with an exceptionally high mark (typically > 95%) may receive a University Medal. The award of University Medals is subject to the following Faculty rule: awardees must have a WAM for 2nd and 3rd Year (weighted in the ratio 2:3) of at least 80, although students with WAMS of 77-79 may be eligible for a Medal if it can be demonstrated that their results have been adversely affected by circumstances beyond their control (e.g. sickness, accident).
Enrolment, Scholarships, and Financial Assistance
Please contact prospective supervisors as early as possible to discuss the project. Students are free to choose their projects and supervisors, subject to availability. Outlines are given in the Research Project section of the Honours Handbook.
However, you must still enrol via the University's formal enrolment channels. Further information on enrolment procedures can be obtained by contacting the Faculty of Science office.
The Units of Study for Physics Honours are PHYS4011, PHYS4012, PHYS4013 and PHYS4014. Each are for 12 credit points and you need to enrol in two per semester if you are a full-time student or one if you are enrolled part-time. It is not critically important in which order you choose these units as long as you complete all four by the end of your Honours degree. Our Honours program of courses and project cannot be mapped exactly onto these units. In addition, if you choose a Senior Physics option, or a course from another Department, you do not need to enrol separately for that subject. The assessments are handled internally. Enrolment in Honours Units of Study satisfies the Faculty and University requirements.
The School of Physics and the University of Sydney offers a number of scholarships and other forms of financial assistance for students undertaking Honours. Details can be found on the Physics Honours Scholarships page. Alternatively you can consult the Faculty of Science Handbook, the office of the Faculty of Science, the Scholarships website, or the Student Centre.
What if you have a Problem?
If any problems arise that impede your progress, the University has procedures to ensure that you are not disadvantaged. You should see the Physics Honours Coordinator and/or one of the University Student Assistance Services as soon as difficulties arise. Please don't try to 'tough it out' or just drop out - issues can usually be resolved so as to allow you to complete Honours without harming your results.
For medical conditions that cause your performance to be impaired, or force you to miss time, you should obtain a medical certificate immediately (legally, they can't be given retroactively) to be submitted with a Special Consideration form to the Student Support Office in the School of Physics. Personal/family difficulties that affect your performance are also grounds for Special Consideration and you may wish to consult the Student Counselling Service to determine the best course of action. Student Services (in the Education Building) can also assist you with financial, accommodation, learning, disability, international-student, and other issues that might arise.
