When you study as an undergraduate at Monash, you first select your course (for example you might choose to study for a Bachelor of Science) and then you choose a number of units to fulfil the requirements of that course - for example, in your first semester at Monash you might choose to study PHS1011 - Classical physics and relativity.

The School of Physics and Astronomy offer a variety of units, and in the Study Advice pages we offer some direction as to which units might be suitable for you.

Details of all available courses and units can be found in the Monash Handbook.

Why study physics?

Do you use a mobile phone? How about a DVD player? Ever had an XRay or an MRI scan? Do you wonder what makes lightening, what your computer is made of, or why waves crash on the beach?

All of these things, and many of the technologies that we use every day, are underpinned by physics. Almost everything that makes your life more comfortable or allows you to do the things you do derive from engineered solutions to physical principles.

The School of Physics and Astronomy at Monash University offers the following two areas of study:

Physics

Physics seeks to provide a fundamental understanding of how our physical universe works at all conceivable scales of length, time and energy. It ranges from the very practical, such as improving medical imaging technologies, to curiosity-driven questions, such as why is the sky blue? It addresses fundamental questions about the nature of space, time and matter, and also provides insight into the nature of reality and the origin of our universe.

Astrophysics

Astrophysics is the application of known physical laws to the study of the objects that make up the universe - planets and stars, comets, pulsars and quasars, black holes and galaxies.

Are you curious, a problem solver, and an explorer with a strong dash of creativity? If so, join us on our journey into the unknown in Monash Physics and Astronomy.

Further information

Mrs Jean Pettigrew
Staff & Student Administrator
Phone: +61 3 9905 3651
Email: Jean.Pettigrew@monash.edu