Program Requirements

The Masters of Science (Advanced) in Theoretical Physics requires completion of 96 units which must consist of:

72 units from the completion of the coursework component

24 units from completion of PHYS8000 Research Project

The 96 units must include:

30 units from completion of the following courses:

PHYS6201 Quantum Field Theory

PHYS6203 General Relativity

PHYS8301 Applied Mathematical Methods in Physics

PHYS8302 Quantum Field Theory 2

PHYS8303 Non-Linear Dynamics in Physics

12 units from completion of Science and Society Courses from the following list which must include:

6 units fom completion of the following course:

PHYS6205 Physics for Future Leaders

6 units from completion of courses from from the following list:

ENVS6013 Society and Environmental Change

POGO8093 Science Innovation and Public Policy

SCOM6007 Science Communication Project Delivery and Design

SCOM6012 Science Communication and the Web

SCOM6015 Speaking of Science

SCOM6016 Science in the Media

SCOM6027 Science Politics

SCOM6029 Cross Cultural Perspectives in Science Communication

SCOM6030 Science Dialogue Theory and Practice

SCOM6031 Science, Risk and Ethics

SCOM6032 Making Modern Science

SCOM6501 Strategies in Science Communication

SCOM8014 Communicating Science with the Public

SCNC8000 Science Internship

VCPG6003 Leadership and Influence in a Complex World

VCPG6004 Creating Impact

VCPG6002 Mobilising Research

VCPG6001 Unravelling Complexity

A maximum of 30 units from completion of 6000-8000 level PHYS Physics courses not already taken

A maximum of 12 units from completion of course from the following list

MATH6211 Advanced Topics in Mathematical Physics

MATH6111 Scientific Computing

A maximum of 12 units from completion of ANU Electives

24 units from the following research component (which must be taken over consecutive semesters if taken part-time)

PHYS8000 Masters Research Project

Students must achieve a minimum 70% weighted average mark in the initial 48 units of coursework and have the approval of the supervisor for the research project to continue to the research component.

If the total number of units attempted exceeds 48 in the same teaching period in which the 48th unit is attempted, exactly 48 units will be used in the calculation of the weighted average mark with units from the course with the highest mark applied first followed by further units from course in descending order of marks.

Students who do not achieve a minimum 70% weighted average mark or do not have approval of an identified supervisor will be transferred to the Master of Science in Theoretical Physics or a Graduate Diploma of Science.

Master Research

The program requires 24 units of research project, carried out on an individual basis with an academic supervisor at the ANU and assessed through a written thesis of approximately 50 pages and a final oral presentation. 

Master Research Training

The program requires 24 units of research project, carried out on an individual basis with an academic supervisor at the ANU and assessed through a written thesis of approximately 50 pages and a final oral presentation. 

Capstone Courses

Hurdle Requirements

Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 5.0 in the first 96 units attempted to commence the 24 units of Masters courses in their Bachelor degree. Students who do not achieve this GPA will be able to complete and graduate from their Bachelor degree but will not be able to undertake Masters courses. If the total number of units attempted exceeds 96 in the same teaching period in which the 96th unit is attempted, all courses attempted will be used in the calculation of the GPA

Study Options

Admission Requirements

At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry. 

Applicants must present a Bachelor degree or international equivalent

• with a grade point average of at least 5.5/7.0
• with at least 8 courses in the field of Physics and/or Engineering and/or Mathematics (minimum grade point average of 5.5/7.0 in these subjects)

Students must achieve a minimum 70% weighted average mark in the initial 48 units of coursework and have the approval of the supervisor for the research project to continue to the research component.

Cognate Disciplines

Physics, Engineering, Mathematics

In line with the university's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors. 

Academic achievement & English language proficiency

The minimum academic requirement for full entry and enrolment is a Bachelor degree or international equivalent with a minimum GPA of 5.5/7.0. 

However, applicants will first be ranked on a GPA ('GPA1') that is calculated using all but the last semester (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes. 

If required, ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of: 

• a GPA ('GPA2') calculated on the penultimate and antepenultimate semesters (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes; and/or

• demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency. 

Prior to enrolment in this ANU program, all students who gain entry will have their Bachelor degree reassessed, to confirm minimum requirements were met.

Further information: English Language Requirements for Admission 

Diversity factors

As Australia’s national university, ANU is global representative of Australian research and education. ANU endeavours to recruit and maintain a diverse and deliberate student cohort representative not only of Australia, but the world. In order to achieve these outcomes, competitive ranking of applicants may be adjusted to ensure access to ANU is a reality for brilliant students from countries across the globe.

Assessment of qualifications

Unless otherwise indicated, ANU will accept all Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications or international equivalents that meet or exceed the published admission requirements of our programs, provided all other admission requirements are also met.

 Where an applicant has more than one completed tertiary qualification, ANU will base assessment on the qualification that best meets the admission requirements for the program. Find out more about the Australian Qualifications Framework: www.aqf.edu.au

ANU uses a 7-point Grade Point Average (GPA) scale. All qualifications submitted for admission at ANU will be converted to this common scale, which will determine if an applicant meets our published admission requirements. Find out more about how a 7-point GPA is calculated for Australian universities: www.uac.edu.au/future-applicants/admission-criteria/tertiary-qualifications

Unless otherwise indicated, where an applicant has more than one completed tertiary qualification, ANU will calculate the GPA for each qualification separately. ANU will base assessment on the best GPA of all completed tertiary qualifications of the same level or higher.

Credit Granted

Applicants with a Bachelor Degree or Graduate Certificate in a cognate discipline may be eligible for up to 24 units (one semester) of credit. Applicants with a Graduate Diploma or Bachelor degree with Honours in a cognate discipline may be eligible for up to 48 units (one year) of credit.

Cognate Disciplines

Physics, Engineering, Mathematics

Scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the Scholarships website.

Learning Outcomes

1. demonstrate high level knowledge in theoretical physics and its methods;

2. apply their knowledge in theoretical physics to new problems;

3. interpret, synthesize and critically analyse published literature of relevance to theoretical physics;

4. demonstrate theoretical and/or practical skills relevant to techniques and research methodology in theoretical physics;

5. critically analyse data within applications of theoretical physics to reach independent conclusions;

6. independently perform theoretical work, interpret and analyse results, write reports and collate data into a thesis;

7. demonstrate a critical understanding of science in society;

8. clearly communicate theory and results in both written and oral formats.

Research Strengths

The program requires 24 units of research project, carried out on an individual basis with an academic supervisor at the ANU and assessed through a written thesis of approximately 50 pages and a final oral presentation. 

Inherent Requirements

Information on inherent requirements is currently not available for this program.