- Overview
- Learning outcomes
- Program delivery and structure
BP229 - Bachelor of Science
Plan: BP229PHYS - Bachelor of Science (Physics)
Campus: City Campus
Program delivery and structure
Approach to learning and assessmentWork integrated learningProgram structureProgram transition planApproach to learning and assessment
You will experience a wide range of learning environments – lectures, tutorials, online delivery, laboratory practicals, individual and group work. Lectures, tutorials and seminars are used extensively in the program to communicate knowledge and ideas about the role of Physics and Applied Science in society.
Of particular importance is the high proportion of time you will spend in the laboratory and undertaking projects which will provide emphasis to developing practical skills and capabilities, developing teamwork and time-management skills and providing context for your learning process.
You are expected to participate in face-to-face activities including lectures, demonstrations, labs, practicals and tutorials. Information given in these activities may not be available otherwise and will most likely impact on your success in the course.
Several courses in the program are delivered online, rather than on-campus, and you are likely to find that other courses transition to online delivery as you progress through the program. All courses use CANVAS for electronic provision of course material, tutorial problems and/or other relevant documents.
You will be assessed by a variety of methods, as appropriate to the material being taught, the skills being acquired and the capabilities developed. Formative and summative assessment tasks are undertaken throughout courses in the program.
Formative assessment is often carried out during a course and provides you opportunity for immediate evidence of your learning. Its purpose is to improve the quality of your learning, and classroom quizzes, homework and laboratory assessment are the most common formative assessment techniques. In-class discussions, revision problems, and past exam papers are available for you to gauge your understanding of the lecture material.
Course goals and objectives reflect the cumulative nature of the learning process and summative assessment, usually at the end of the course, is used to ensure you have met these course aims. Tests, assignments, oral and written presentations, laboratory reports and project reports will be used as part of, and as a measure of, your learning.
Inherent requirements
The following information on inherent requirements outlines the tasks you will be required to undertake during professional placement and on-campus learning activities. The non-academic abilities listed are provided for information only and are not entry requirements.
If there are any activities outlined which may be difficult for you to undertake, there are a range of adjustments to your study conditions available to enable and support you to demonstrate these abilities. Please contact the Equitable Learning Service to discuss any adjustments you may require.
Please read the full list of the Bachelor of Science inherent requirements.
By understanding the types of activities you’ll participate in, you can:
- understand more about the program
- determine if you may need support during your studies
- make an informed decision about whether the program is suitable for you
If you are living with disability, long-term illness and/or a mental health condition, we can support you by making adjustments to activities in your program so that you can participate fully in your studies. To receive learning adjustments, you need to register with Equitable Learning Service.
If you have already developed areas of skill and knowledge included in this program (for example, through prior studies or work experience), you can apply for credit once you have enrolled in this program. There is information on the RMIT University website about how to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/enrolment/credit/he.
Top of pageWork integrated learning
RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice. As a student enrolled in this RMIT University program you will:
- undertake and be assessed on structured activities that allow you to learn, apply and demonstrate your professional or vocational practice;
- interact with industry and community when undertaking these activities;
- complete these activities in real work contexts or situations; and
- these interactions and the work context provide a distinctive source of feedback to you to assist your learning.
Any or all of these aspects of a WIL experience may be simulated.
All science students will undertake ONPS2186 Science Project 1 and either ONPS2335 The Professional Scientist or ONPS2662 Science Work Experience 1 where you will have the opportunity to learn, apply and demonstrate professional science practice. In these courses you will work individually or in a team on projects under guidance of a professional scientist (usually an academic "mentor"). The projects undertaken are often linked directly with an active research group within the School or are derived from problems and casework initiated through industrial links with School staff. In addition to the project component, you may be expected to attend scheduled classes where additional supportive content is delivered.
Other WIL activities will depend on specific courses you take but all students are expected to undertake courses containing advanced laboratory work in years two and three of the program. In these courses you will be exposed to techniques and practices commonly used in science based industries. Often such laboratory work is undertaken as group or team exercises and you will be expected to take more than one role in the team at different times to expand your experience and capabilities.
The School of Science also offers some elective courses that take students in industry for complementary work integrated learning.
Top of pageProgram Structure
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Year One of Program |
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Year Two of Program |
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| Complete the following Five (5) Courses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Select and complete One (1) of the following Biology Options: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Year Three of Program |
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| Complete the following Five (5) Courses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Year Three Options: |
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| { | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Option 1: Complete the following One (1) Course: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Select and Complete One (1) Course from any: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University Elective | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Option 2: Complete the following One (1) course: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Select and Complete One (1) of the following Science Courses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Select and Complete One (1) Course from any: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University Elective | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Program transition plan
Very Important: This plan is being phased out.
BP229PHYS - Bachelor of Science (Physics) plan has been discontinued and will no longer accept new students after Semester 2 2022. The plan will be taught out to current students until semester 2, 2026. If you are unable to complete your program by the end of 2026, you may consider applying to other programs within RMIT subject to entrance requirements. You may also consider applying to the new plan:
BP350 Bachelor of Science
For more information and advice on your enrolment, please contact your program manager, Jackson Smith (jackson.smith@rmit.edu.au).
From Semester 1 2022
The courses in the first year of this structure have changed from Semester 1 2022 and includes 6 new courses. PHYS2123 Modern Physics and MATH1143/MATH1144 Calculus and Analysis 2 remain core to your program.
If you have successfully completed any of the replaced courses prior to the commencement of Semester 1 2022 they will continue to count towards the successful completion of your program.
If you commenced study prior to Semester 1 2022 and did not complete all first year courses please see the table below for equivalence or where there is no equivalence, please contact your program manager for enrolment advice:
| Pre-2022 Course | Replacement course from Sem 1 2022 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM1030 | Chemistry of Materials 1 |
ONPS2701 | Physical Sciences in Action |
CHEM1242 |
Chemistry Principles |
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MATH1142 |
Calculus and Analysis 1 |
MATH2443 |
A Mathematical Toolbox for Scientists |
The following table shows courses that will be replaced from Semester 1 2022, and is for program transition purposes only and does not map course equivalencies.
| Pre-2022 Course | New courses from Sem 1 2022 | If you have not completed a course from the first 2 columns please speak to your program manager for enrolment advice. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ONPS2334 | Scientific Skills and Communication |
ONPS2700 | Data for a Scientific World |
PHYS2122 |
Mechanics |
ONPS2699 | The World of Life Sciences |
PHYS2127 |
Thermodynamics and Electromagnetism |
COSC2960 |
Foundations of Artificial Intelligence for STEM |
COSC2676 |
Programming Fundamentals for Scientists |
ONPS2702 |
STEM for Sustainable Development |
From Semester 2, 2021
In Semester 2 2021, multiple courses were deleted or replaced from the BP229PHYS program structure.
In Years 2 and 3, ENVI1038 Environmental Studies, MATH2139 Advanced Mathematical Modelling, MATH2144 Numerical Solutions of DEs, and PHYS2070 Instrumentation for Scientists and Engineers were removed as option courses.
Students who have successfully completed any of the removed courses prior to Semester 2 2021 will have these courses continue to count towards the successful completion of their program.
If you need any transitional or enrolment advice, please contact your Program Manager.
Changes to BP229 Bachelor of Science (Physics) Effective Semester 1, 2020
In accordance with the continuous program improvement process, some changes have been made to the Bachelor of Science (Physics) effective Semester 1, 2020.
Courses replacements
Year or Semester |
Former course/s no longer offered |
Credit Points |
New or amended course |
|---|---|---|---|
Year 2 |
PHYS1074 - Materials and Thermal Physics
PHYS2125- Optics and Radiation Physics
PHYS2128 - Electromagnetics and Quantum Physics
PHYS1066 - Practical Physics 1 |
12 |
PHYS2178 - Classical and Quantum Mechanics
PHYS2180 - Optics and Photonics
PHYS2181 – Electromagnetism
PHYS2179 - Materials Physics |
Year 3 |
PHYS2126 - Applied Physics
PHYS1095 - Quantum and Statistical Physics
PHYS2074 - Photonics and Nuclear Physics |
12 |
PHYS2175 - Quantum Physics
PHYS2177 - Thermal and Statistical Physics
PHYS2176 - Radiation and Nuclear Physics |
Program Options |
Deleted Option Courses |
12 |
Any Program Options |
Changes to BP229 Bachelor of Science (Physics) Effective Semester 1, 2016
In 2016, two Physics and one Maths courses have been added to the core of the program.
If you are entering year 2 of the program, you will be expected to follow the new program. If you are entering year 3, you will be able to follow the former structure for BP229PHYS. No student will be disadvantaged by the change in the program structure.
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