Physics Honours Information Session 2023
Physics Honours Information Session 2023
honours is probably quite unlike the work you have done up to now:
you are dedicated to a single area of study
the work is academically more demanding
you will be apprenticed to a research group all year
tasks with qualitatively di↵erent time demands must be balanced
you will likely have a relatively close cohort
Bruce Yabsley (HC) Honours information session: physics 2023–09–11 3 / 25
(2) General introduction: application/enrolment
there are various formal application paths: ⇤ see details later
Sydney Student ! "Course details" ! "Apply for Advanced Studies honours"
https://sydney.edu.au/courses/courses/uc/bachelor-of-science-honours.html
https://sydney.edu.au/courses/courses/uc/bachelor-of-liberal-arts-and-science-honours.html
https://sydney.edu.au/courses/courses/uc/bachelor-of-medical-science-honours.html
deadlines: 15th January (for 2024 S1) or 25th June (for 2024 S2)
the key requirements are:
a bachelor of science, including “equivalent degrees” and variants:
the BLAS, the BMedSc, double degrees, parenthetic degrees . . .
a major in physics:
a major in nanoscience, or UTS’ Applied Physics also count
⇤ see details later
a credit average overall, and in senior physics
an academic willing to supervise you on a research project;
they must agree by formal email, cc:[email protected]
the 15-Jan-2024 date is very late relative to the start of semester;
I’d encourage you to apply by the old-style due date, 30-Nov-2023
it’s normal to apply while you’re still finishing 3rd-year coursework . . .
Bruce Yabsley (HC) Honours information session: physics 2023–09–11 4 / 25
(2) General introduction: coursework
coursework is worth 50% of your honours mark
you take 4 courses during the year, all 6CP as usual
the normal pattern is to take 2 in each semester;
other patterns are possible, but much more difficult
2–4 must be chosen from the dedicated honours courses PHYS412X:
each 30–36 lectures in size
the mix of assignments, projects, and exams varies
the usual 5%-per-day late penalties apply
you choose courses by enrolling each semester on Sydney Student
exams are mostly in weeks 15 & 16 (“exam weeks 1 & 2”) as usual
up to two other physics 4000- and 5000-level courses can be chosen . . .
. . . and, if you wish, you can choose one of a select group of “external”
courses from outside of physics, at 4000- and 5000-level
consultation with your research supervisor is strongly encouraged;
I am also available for consultation, and you should take other advice
a picture tells a thousand words:
Bruce Yabsley (HC) Honours information session: physics 2023–09–11 5 / 25
PHYSICS HONOURS COURSES: choose 2−4 OTHER COURSES:
PHYS4121 Advanced Electrodynamics and Photonics choose 0−1
PHYS4122 Astrophysics and Space Science MATH4XXX, STAT4XXX
PHYS4125 Quantum Field Theory MATH5XXX, STAT5XXX
HPSC4101
PHYS4123 General Relativity and Cosmology SCIE400X
PHYS4124 Physics of the Standard Model
PHYS4126 Quantum Nanoscience COMP5046, 5310, 5318
COMP5328, 5329, 9120
DATA5441
AERO4701
AMME8520
AMME9302
BMET5931
PHYSICS 4XXX & 50XX COURSES: choose 0−2 BMET9981
PHYS4015 Neural Dynamics and Computation CHNG5602
PHYS4016 Bayesian Data Inference and Machine Learning ELEC5213
PHYS4036, PHYS4037, PHYS4801, PHYS4802 ELEC5511
PHYS50XX Medical Physics master’s courses ELEC5516
PHYS503X Sustainability master’s courses ELEC9405
(3) Introduction to lecture courses: physics honours
SEMESTER 1:
PHYS4121 Advanced Electrodynamics and Photonics
(Zdenka Kuncic +)
PHYS4122 Astrophysics and Space Science (Joss Bland-Hawthorn
+)
PHYS4125 Quantum Field Theory (Archil Kobakhidze)
SEMESTER 2:
PHYS4123 General Relativity and Cosmology (Geraint Lewis)
PHYS4124 Physics of the Standard Model (Kevin Varvell / BY)
PHYS4126 Quantum Nanoscience (John Bartholomew +)
HPSC4101
PHYS4123 General Relativity and Cosmology SCIE400X
PHYS4124 Physics of the Standard Model
PHYS4126 Quantum Nanoscience COMP5046, 5310, 5318
COMP5328, 5329, 9120
DATA5441
AERO4701
AMME8520
AMME9302
BMET5931
PHYSICS 4XXX & 50XX COURSES: choose 0−2 BMET9981
PHYS4015 Neural Dynamics and Computation CHNG5602
PHYS4016 Bayesian Data Inference and Machine Learning ELEC5213
PHYS4036, PHYS4037, PHYS4801, PHYS4802 ELEC5511
PHYS50XX Medical Physics master’s courses ELEC5516
PHYS503X Sustainability master’s courses ELEC9405
(4) Introduction to research projects
the research project is likewise worth 50% of your honours mark
you are apprenticed to a research group, in particular to your supervisor(s):
to participate in the life of the group,
to learn (by doing) the methods of their work,
to learn (by instruction and osmosis) about the subject area,
and to carry out research work of your own
our list of research projects for 2024 is posted on the web:
you should discuss projects that interest you
directly with the sta↵ member listed as contact
these projects are an indicative sample: treat them as a guide
it may be possible to negotiate a project that is not on the list
we recommend project work start three weeks before the start of lectures
assessment is via a formal talk (10%) due by S2 week 9,
and a 40pp written report (90%) due by S2 week 12, assessed by
your group (who also consider your work), and 2 external examiners
enrolment is in PHYS{4103,4104} (S1) and PHYS{4105,4106} (S2);
you get one single mark overall for your project
Bruce Yabsley (HC) Honours information session: physics 2023–09–11 10 / 25
(4) Introduction to research projects: project list
linked from: https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/7932/
It is important to choose a project and supervisor to suit your interests and skills. You are encouraged to have
discussions with several possible supervisors before making a decision. Speaking to honours and
postgraduate students will also give you valuable feedback. The Web of Science (accessible from the Library
website) will give you information on the research activity of the School's academics. You should also read the
School’s Research pages (https://sydney.edu.au/science/schools/school-of-physics.html) for more information
on areas of active research.
You must arrange a supervisor and project prior to applying for honours. When you have reached agreement
with a supervisor, please ask them to send you a formal email agreeing to take you on as a student, with cc to
[email protected]. Note that you should aim to start work on your research project three
weeks before the start of lectures. This will enable you to get your project underway before lectures and
assignments compete for your time. You should also make certain that your proposed supervisor will not be
absent for protracted periods during semester, unless an associate supervisor is also involved. These issues
will need to be formally settled when you submit your Research Plan, two weeks after the start of your first
semester as an honours student.
Contents
Bruce Yabsley (HC) Honours information session: physics 2023–09–11 11 / 25
[email protected]. Note that you should aim to start work on your research project three
weeks before the start of lectures. This will enable you to get your project underway before lectures and
(4) Introduction to research projects: project list
assignments compete for your time. You should also make certain that your proposed supervisor will not be
absent for protracted periods during semester, unless an associate supervisor is also involved. These issues
will need to be formally settled when you submit your Research Plan, two weeks after the start of your first
linked from: https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/7932/
semester as an honours student.
Contents
Grand Challenge Projects............................................................................................................................ 2
Astronomical and space science ................................................................................................................. 3
Biological, biomedical and medical physics ................................................................................................ 8
Complex systems; Data science ................................................................................................................ 10
Condensed matter physics; Materials physics .......................................................................................... 14
Particle physics ......................................................................................................................................... 16
Photonics and optical science ................................................................................................................... 20
Plasma Physics .......................................................................................................................................... 24
Quantum physics and quantum information ............................................................................................ 25
Renewable Energy and Sustainability ....................................................................................................... 30
there are a couple of USyd degrees with their own enrolment paths:
you will probably recognise these if they apply to you
https://sydney.edu.au/courses/courses/uc/bachelor-of-liberal-arts-and-science-honours.html
https://sydney.edu.au/courses/courses/uc/bachelor-of-medical-science-honours.html
Note that the WAM and senior physics average count all course attempts,
including fails: e.g. your senior physics grades at Fictitious University are 68
(PHY301), 44 (PHY302), 71 (PHY303), & 64 (PHY304), and you re-take
PHY302 receiving 73 — in this case, the senior physics average is 64.
Bruce Yabsley (HC) Honours information session: physics 2023–09–11 13 / 25
(5) Administrative and other details: full/part time
So far everything has assumed that you enrol in honours full time
(meaning full-time-full-time: 24CP per semester for two semesters).
From the degree resolutions:
Historically, this has only been done rarely: once every few years.
There have been more cases recently, to manage COVID disruption,
or following illness. It is still not common, and permission is required.
Bottom line: Honours is a lot of work and it needs your full attention.
Part-time honours is only by special permission.
Bruce Yabsley (HC) Honours information session: physics 2023–09–11 14 / 25
(5) Administrative and other details: enrolment
Seven examples of course enrolments in physics honours:
(This looks the same for BSc/BAS and BSc (Hons) students.)
Bruce Yabsley (HC) Honours information session: physics 2023–09–11 15 / 25
(5) Administrative and other details: enrolment
Seven examples of course enrolments in physics honours:
(This looks the same for BSc/BAS and BSc (Hons) students.)
Bruce Yabsley (HC) Honours information session: physics 2023–09–11 16 / 25
(5) Administrative and other details: enrolment
Seven examples of course enrolments in physics honours:
(This looks the same for BSc/BAS and BSc (Hons) students.)
Bruce Yabsley (HC) Honours information session: physics 2023–09–11 17 / 25
(5) Administrative and other details: enrolment
Seven examples of course enrolments in physics honours:
(This looks the same for BSc/BAS and BSc (Hons) students.)
Bruce Yabsley (HC) Honours information session: physics 2023–09–11 18 / 25
(5) Administrative and other details: enrolment
Seven examples of course enrolments in physics honours:
(5) incl. other physics & external courses; starting first semester
(This looks the same for BSc/BAS and BSc (Hons) students.)
Bruce Yabsley (HC) Honours information session: physics 2023–09–11 19 / 25
(5) Administrative and other details: enrolment
Seven examples of course enrolments in physics honours:
(This looks the same for BSc/BAS and BSc (Hons) students.)
Bruce Yabsley (HC) Honours information session: physics 2023–09–11 20 / 25
(5) Administrative and other details: enrolment
Seven examples of course enrolments in physics honours:
(This looks the same for BSc/BAS and BSc (Hons) students.)
Bruce Yabsley (HC) Honours information session: physics 2023–09–11 21 / 25
(5) Administrative and other details: scholarships
Various scholarships are available in a typical year, including
University of Sydney Honours Scholarships
School of Physics Honours Scholarships
The Malcolm Turki Memorial Scholarship
(for those su↵ering financial hardship)
Faculty of Science Honours Relocation Scholarships
and others; note that
there can be changes year-to-year
scholarships can be available to domestic students,
international students, or both
some scholarships have special conditions
you are automatically eligible for some scholarships,
but need to actively apply for others
See https://www.sydney.edu.au/scholarships/ for a full list.
Bruce Yabsley (HC) Honours information session: physics 2023–09–11 22 / 25
(5) Administrative & other details: postgraduate
if you are thinking about postgraduate study,
[email protected] handles HDR admissions
for the School of Physics, and can answer questions
honours is the traditional path to PhD study in the natural sciences in
Australia (the situation overseas varies by country)
the basic path would be to do honours in or close to your preferred
(sub-)field, obtain First Class Honours (“H1”; 80 overall), and
ideally as good a result as possible
https://www.sydney.edu.au/scholarships/domestic/
postgraduate-research/australian-government-research-training-program.html
sets out the conditions for “RTP” scholarships
this does require an H1
deadlines are end May for RP3 & RP4, end October for RP1 & RP2
you may need to apply before you receive your honours results