Major in Physics (before AY2021-22)

B.Sc and B.Sc (Hons) in Physics (for cohort before AY2021/22)

Physics is one of the most fundamental of all sciences, and is the basis of our scientific knowledge of the physical world. It seeks to explain the behaviour of matter, time and space in the universe and covers phenomena ranging from subnuclear interactions to cosmological events like the Big Bang. The traditional B.Sc. degree in Physics is centred on understanding scientific fundamentals and it is through this basic approach that advances in scientific knowledge and technological innovations have been made.

Programme Structure & Curriculum Rationale

B.Sc. (Hons.) and B.Sc. in Physics is a rigorous course covering the core topics in physics. The broadness of the scope and the training in critical thinking and in analysis will enable graduates to choose from a wide variety of careers. B.Sc. (Hons.) students can choose to specialise in one of the following areas: : (i) Astrophysics, (ii) Nanophysics and (iii) Quantum Technologies. These programmes will prepare graduates with in-depth knowledge in each area of specialisation.

Career Prospects

The Physics Department, which has research strengths in many frontier areas including nanoscience, quantum information technology, optical and magnetic materials, and biophysics, provides a stimulating learning environment for all students who wish to major in physics. Physics graduates will be able to embark on career paths in R&D in the physical sciences, engineering industries and microelectronics industries, as well as education and training, government scientific services sectors and IT. The unique problem solving skills our graduates acquire have enabled them to work and succeed in commerce, banking and finance.

Graduation Requirements

To be awarded a B.Sc. or B.Sc. (Hons.) with a primary major in Physics, candidates must satisfy the following:

Course Level	Major Requirements	Cumulative Major Units
Level-1000 (24 units)	PC1141 Introduction to Classical Mechanics PC1142 Introduction to Thermodynamics and Optics PC1143 Introduction to Electricity and Magnetism PC1144 Introduction to Modern Physics MA1101R Linear Algebra I MA1102R Calculus	24
Level-2000 (24 units)	PC2130 Quantum Mechanics I PC2131 Electricity and Magnetism I PC2132 Classical Mechanics PC2134 Mathematical Methods in Physics I PC2193 Experimental Physics I PC2230 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics	48
Level-3000 (19-20 units)	PC3130 Quantum Mechanics II PC3193 Experimental Physics II And any three courses from the following electives: PC3231 Electricity and Magnetism II PC3232 Nuclear and Particle Physics PC3233 Atomic and Molecular Physics I PC3235 Solid State Physics I PC3236 Computational Methods in Physics PC3238 Fluid Dynamics PC3241 Solid State Devices PC3242 Physics of Semiconductor Processing PC3243 Photonics PC3246 Astrophysics I PC3247 Modern Optics PC3251 Nanophysics PC3267 Biophysics II PC3270 Machine Learning for Physicists PC3274 Mathematical Methods in Physics II PC3239 Special Problems in Undergraduate Physics II PC3288 UROPS in Physics I^ PC3289 Advanced UROPS in Physics II^ PC3294 Radiation Laboratory PC3295 Radiation for Imaging and Therapy in Medicine	68
Level-4000 (30-32 units)	PC4199 Honours Project in Physics And any five courses from the following electives: PC4228 Device Physics for Quantum Technologies PC4230 Quantum Mechanics III PC4236 Computational Condensed Matter Physics PC4240 Solid State Physics II PC4241 Statistical Mechanics PC4242 Electricity and Magnetism III PC4243 Atomic and Molecular Physics II PC4245 Particle Physics PC4246 Quantum Optics PC4248 General Relativity PC4249 Astrophysics II PC4253 Thin Film Technology PC4259 Surface Physics PC4262 Remote Sensing PC4264 Advanced Solid State Devices PC4267 Biophysics III PC4268 Biophysical Instrumentation and Biomolecula Electronics PC4274 Mathematical Methods in Physics III	100

^ At most 4 units of UROPS course may be used to fufil the Physics major requirements.

# These elective courses are only offered to students reading a double degree in Materials Science and Engineering and in Physics.

Note:

Level-4000 PC prefixed courses may be taken to replace up to 8 units of the Level-3000 PC elective courses above. In such an event, these Level-4000 courses cannot be counted towards the Level 4000 major requirements.

B.Sc (Hons) students majoring in Physics have the option to qualify for a specialisation in

Astrophysics, or
Nanophysics, or
Quantum Technologies

Level 5000 courses

From AY2023/24 onwards, undergraduate students who wish to read PC5101, PC5102, and PC5204 have to pay additional fees per course on top of their semester fees.
To read a level 5000 course, undergraduate students must seek the approval of the Deputy Head (Education).
Level 5000 courses can be used to fulfil the Unrestricted Electives (UE) requirement, but not to fulfil Physics major requirements.
If a level 5000 course is used to fulfil undergraduate requirement, it cannot be used to fulfil MSc or PhD requirements in NUS.

The total units required at each level for graduation for a major in Physics.

Summary of Requirements	B.Sc.	B.Sc. (Hons.)
University Requirements	20 units	20 units
Faculty Requirements	8 units *	8 units *
Major Requirements	68 units	100 units
Unrestricted Elective Courses	24 units	32 units
Total	*120 units*	*160 units*

* Faculty requirements of 12 units and 16 units [required for the B.Sc. and B.Sc. (Hons.) programmes respectively] are partially fulfilled through the reading of MA1101R and MA1102R within the major.

Students undertaking the B.Sc. and B.Sc. (Hons.) programmes are required to fulfil the remaining 8 units of Faculty requirements from any two of the following subject groups: Computing Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Life Sciences and Multidisciplinary & Interdisciplinary Sciences; but not from the following subject groups: Physical Sciences and Mathematical & Statistical Sciences.