Defence Cyber and Space

Bachelor of Science in High Performance Computational Physics (Honours)

  • Domestic
  • International
  • Duration

    4 years full-time or part-time equiv.
  • Start Dates

    February and July
  • Location

    North Terrace Campus

About Degree

Enter the world of supercomputers

Love calculations, formulas and data-enabled science? Want to solve cutting-edge problems at the forefront of physics?

Computational physics is a rapidly growing and highly interdisciplinary research area. High-performance computations are an essential part of modern research in particle physics, condensed-matter physics, astrophysics, fluid mechanics, quantum field theory, quantum chromodynamics, and plasma physics.

This program is accredited by the Australian Institute of Physics.

What will you do?

In our Bachelor of Science (High Performance Computational Physics)(Honours) you will:

  • find answers to cutting-edge problems using high-performance computing
  • learn to program parallel supercomputers using state-of-the-art computer languages
  • access the University's supercomputer, Phoenix; a 300 teraflop high-performance computer
  • immerse yourself in small group discovery experiences with like-minded peers
  • take core courses in physics, mathematics and computer science
  • apply sophisticated computing skills to modern physics problems.

In your final year Honours Program, you’ll dive deep into theoretical or computational physics and physics applications. This includes specialist research projects and courses.

Where could it take you?

Your advanced computational and mathematical skills will enable you to pursue a wide range of careers ranging from the computer industry—including cybersecurity and defence—to physics research and investment banking.


Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte
This degree gives you the opportunity to be part of our new The Academy by Deloitte You’ll be part of a supportive student cohort that learns from one another and industry leaders. Formal and informal experiences will allow you to build relationships within the Deloitte network.


Entry Requirements

Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions information for this program.I am a:

  • Domestic
  • International

    Domestic applicants

    Admissions information

    SATAC Code324171
    2022 CSP ATAR93.8
    2022 CSP IB36
    Guaranteed Entry Score - ATAR90
    Guaranteed Entry Score - IB33
    DefermentYes - 2 year
    IntakeFebruary and July
    PrerequisitesSACE Stage 2: Mathematical Methods , Specialist Mathematics, Physics. IB: Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (HL) and Physics (SL grade 4/ HL grade 3)

    MathTrackX is an online bridging program available as a recognised alternative to Mathematical Methods.
    Selection Criteria
    Recent Secondary EducationApplicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, however if you completed your secondary education more than two years ago, you may still be able to be considered on the basis of your secondary schooling. You must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study (48 units). You compete for a place with your Selection Rank (ATAR plus any applicable adjustment factors). Applicants who have studied Physics 1 and/or Mathematics 1 at the University of APSB (or equivalent) must have achieved at least a credit grade average for these courses. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
    Higher Education StudyYou must have completed at least six months full time equivalent higher education study (the number of courses and units will vary depending on your prior institution however at the University of APSB, this equates to 4 courses / 12 units). Applicants who have studied Physics 1 and/or Mathematics 1 at the University of APSB (or equivalent) must have achieved at least a credit grade average for these courses. A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined). You are ranked on the basis of your best GPA. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information. Applicants who have studied Physics 1 and/or Mathematics 1 at the University of APSB (or equivalent) must have achieved at least a credit grade average for these courses.
    Work and life experienceTo be eligible to sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) as as pathway for entry, you must be 18 years or over before 1 February 2023. If you have studied at higher education level in the last two years (for 2023 entry this means you were enrolled in either 2022 or 2021), you must not have accumulated more than a TOTAL of 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) higher education study (ie. including any study prior to 2021). If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is not weighted between verbal and quantitative components. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
    Other Entry Pathways


    2022 Admissions Data for school leavers
    ATAR
    (raw ATAR, excluding any applicable adjustment factors)
    Lowest ATAR to receive an offer76.65
    Median ATAR to receive an offer93.8
    Highest ATAR to receive an offer98.15
    Selection Rank
    (ATAR plus any adjustment factors)
    Lowest Selection Rank to receive an offer93.8
    Median Selection Rank to receive an offer97.5
    Highest Selection Rank to receive an offer99.95
    Minimum eligibility score90
    Additional criteria consideredSelection rank only
    Student Profile
    Applicant backgroundSemester one/Full year intake 2022
    Number of studentsPercentage of all students
    (A) Higher Education study
    (includes a bridging or enabling course)
    N/AN/A
    (B) Vocational education and training (VET) studyN/AN/A
    (C) Work and life experience
    (admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)
    N/AN/A
    (D) Recent secondary education:
    • Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
      (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors)
    583.3%
    • Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
      (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
    N/AN/A
    • Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
      (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
    N/AN/A
    International students<5N/A
    All students6100.0%


    International applicants

    CRICOS047800B
    IntakeFebruary
    Australian Year 12SACE Stage 2: Mathematical Methods , Specialist Mathematics, Physics. IB: Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (HL) and Physics (SL grade 4/ HL grade 3)

    MathTrackX is an online bridging program available as a recognised alternative to Mathematical Methods.
    International QualificationsAdvanced Mathematics and Physics
    Selection Criteria
    English Language Requirements

    Australian Year 12Successful completion of an Australian year 12 qualification with a minimum pass in an accepted English language subject
    English Tests accepted by the University of APSB
    IELTSOverall 6.5Reading 6Listening 6Speaking 6Writing 6





    TOEFLOverall 79Reading 13Listening 13Speaking 18Writing 21





    PearsonOverall 58Reading 50Listening 50Speaking 50Writing 50





    C1 AdvancedOverall 176Reading 169Listening 169Speaking 169Writing 169





    Qualifications that meet minimum English requirementsA range of alternative qualifications may meet the University’s minimum English requirements
    Academic Entry Requirements

    Detailed information on international qualifications assessment

    Secondary School QualificationsAustralia – Selection Rank (International)80
    International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma29
    Canada – OSSD Ontario Secondary School Diploma75%
    Canada – British Columbia Certificate of Graduation75%
    Canada – Alberta High School Diploma82%
    China – Gaokao70%
    Germany – Abitur3.10
    GCE A Levels10
    Hong Kong – HKDSE19
    India – ISC & CBSE75%
    India - Indian State Board Examinations85%
    Indonesia – SMA380%
    Kenya – Certificate of Secondary EducationB+
    Kuwait – General School Secondary Certificate77%
    Malaysia – STPM or Matrikulasi3.00
    Malaysia – UEC15
    South Korea – CSAT and High School Diploma330
    Sri Lanka – GCE A Levels10
    Taiwan – GSAT and High School Diploma72%
    Thailand – Certificate of Secondary Education3.6
    USA – SAT1170
    USA – Advanced Placement (AP)9
    Vietnam – Upper Secondary School8.00
    The University of APSB College Foundation Program77%
    Eynesbury Foundation Program380
    ANU College Foundation Studies74%
    Monash College Foundation Year MUFY72%
    Trinity College Foundation Studies Program (The University of Melbourne)75%
    UNSW Foundation Year7.30
    UQ College Foundation Studies Program4.60
    Taylors College – The University of Sydney Foundation Program (USFP)6.90
    UWA College Foundation Program (WAUFP)59%
    Non–Go8 Foundation Score77%
    How to Apply
    Application information for international students
    Important application deadlines for international students

    Student Profile
    Applicant backgroundSemester one/Full year intake 2022
    Number of studentsPercentage of all students
    (A) Higher Education study
    (includes a bridging or enabling course)
    N/AN/A
    (B) Vocational education and training (VET) studyN/AN/A
    (C) Work and life experience
    (admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)
    N/AN/A
    (D) Recent secondary education:
    • Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
      (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors)
    583.3%
    • Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
      (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
    N/AN/A
    • Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
      (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
    N/AN/A
    International students<5N/A
    All students6100.0%


Fees and Scholarships

Choose your applicant type to view the relevant fees and scholarships information for this program.I am a:

  • Domestic
  • International

    Domestic applicants

    Indicative annual tuition fees
    Commonwealth-supported place: $7,540

    Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.

    More information on Student Contribution Amounts.

    Scholarships

    These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.


    International applicants

    Indicative annual tuition fees (24 units)International student place: $45,500

    Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.

    More information on International Student tuition fees.

    Scholarships

    These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.


Careers

Career Readiness

Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte
Students who as part of their studies take part in The Academy by Deloitte experience will have the benefit of undertaking a paid internship with Deloitte. This internship is designed to shape their business readiness through significant real-world client exposure, access to multiple networking opportunities and relevant professional training.


This degree sets you up for a successful career in:

  • banking
  • climate and ecosystem modelling
  • defence organisations
  • econophysics
  • government organisations
  • industry and financial organisations
  • physics
  • scientific computing
  • scientific data analysis
  • universities.

The University of APSB Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Graduate Attributes

The objective of this program is to produce graduates with specific attributes as outlined in University of APSB Graduate Attributes.

  1. Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
  2. Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
  3. Teamwork and communication skills
  4. Professionalism and leadership readiness
  5. Intercultural and ethical competency
  6. Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
  7. Digital capabilities
  8. Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

Potential careers

Atmospheric Chemist, Bioinformatician, Future Trader, Physicist, Aerospace Scientist, Air-Traffic Controller, Animator, Banker, Climate and Ecosystem Modeller, Commodities or Futures Trader, Computational Scientist, Computer Programmer, Research Associates, Research Scientist, Satellite Project Scientist, Science Communicators, Science Educators, Scientific Data Analyst, Financial Systems / Computer Analyst, Scientific Officer, Space Scientist, Space and Astrophysical Research ...


Degree Structure

Level 1 consists of core courses in physics, mathematics and computing science, with an option for students to broaden their studies in areas such as electrical engineering or chemistry.

At level 2, students further develop in the core areas of study, with a focus on physics and applied mathematics. Level 3 involves advanced courses in physics and computational physics. Students undertake the final year honours program in theoretical or computational physics, which includes a research project and the option of specialised courses in computer science and mathematics. This enables students to apply their high-performance computing skills to modern physics problems.

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

Honours Degree of Bachelor of Science in High Performance Computational Physics

Example Study Plan

Indicative study plan
Year1S1ENG 1002  Programming (Matlab and C)
or Semester 2
MATHS 1011  Mathematics IAPHYSICS 1100ND  Physics IAApproved Level I Elective
S2COMP SCI 1102  Object Orientated Programming
or Semester 1
MATHS 1012  Mathematics IBPHYSICS 1200ND  Physics IBApproved Level I Elective
Year2S1MATHS 2101 : Multivariable and Complex CalculusMATHS 2102 : Differential EquationsPHYSICS 2510 : Quantum MechanicsApproved Level II Elective
S2MATHS 2104 : Numerical MethodsPHYSICS 2532 : Classical Physics IIPHYSICS 2534 : Electromagnetism IIApproved Level II Elective
Year 3S1PHYSICS 3542 : Physics III (6 units)

PHYSICS 3534 : Computational Physics IIIApproved Level III Elective
S2PHYSICS 3006 : Advanced Dynamics & Relativity IIIPHYSICS 3544 : Quantum Mechanics IIIApproved Level III ElectiveApproved Level III Elective
Year4S1PHYSICS 4010  Advanced Physics (HPCP) Part 1
[or Semester 2] (6 units)
PHYSICS 4020  A Honours Physics (HPCP) Project
[or Semester 2] (6 units)
S2PHYSICS 4015  Advanced Physics (HPCP) Part 2
[or Semester 1] (6 units)
PHYSICS 4020  B Honours Physics (HPCP) Project
[or Semester 1] (6 units)

Assessment

Varies with individual courses and includes a combination of assignments, reports, tests, practical work, tutorial preparation and exams.


RECOGNITION AND AFFILIATIONS

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