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Physics at the Swinburne University offers you the opportunity to study the exciting fundamental concepts on which all sciences rely - and make contributions to world-class cutting-edge research. In 2011 the prestigious Academic Ranking of World Univerities (ARWU) placed Swinburne Physics in the top 100 for Physics research, giving Swinburne University an equal second with Melbourne University for Physics. Swinburne physics provides access to research and teaching for students at the undergraduate, MSc, and PhD levels. Swinburne is also the highest-rated university in Victoria for graduate satisfaction and the highest-rated university in Melbourne for teaching quality and generic skills (The Good Universities Guide 2012). We have now been ranked the highest-rated teaching university in Melbourne for the last six years. Swinburne was also recognised for employment outcomes, receiving a four-star rating for getting a full time job.

Physics is the truly universal science. It is the rational development of experiments, observations and theories to explain the world around us, the world within us and the world beyond us. From the smallest subatomic particle to the entire Universe, Physics uncovers a picture of the world that is continually changing. Physics is also a society transforming field of research with many of the technologies that we take for granted enabled through our continued exploration and understanding of nature through physics. Physics deals with fundamentals — the nature of space and time, matter and energy, simplicity and complexity. Many major developments in chemistry, biology, geology and even medicine have been made by physicists. For students and scientists the study of Physics can be at times challenging and sometimes easy, however it is always an immensely rewarding intellectual persuit.

Physicists are extremely good problem solvers withy strong qualitative and quantitative analytical skills that are highly regarded by many employers in banking & finance, business, health, manufacturing, government and education sectors. A physics degree can lead to careers in the following areas

• Research and development (scientists, software engineers, technology managers)
• Government (policy advising, budget forecasting, research, defence)
• Business (IT, sales, finance, management consultant, analysis)
• Manufacturing (engineering, mining, forecasting, financial modelling)
• Legal (patent lawyers, technology commercialisation)
• Communications (publishing, editing, writing, marketing, journalism)
• Education (teachers, lecturers)

Employers of graduates with training in physics include local and international companies such as:

ANSTO, Austin Hospital, Australian Synchrotron, Australian Stock Exchange, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Boston Consulting, CSIRO, Bureau of Meteorology, Department of Human Services, DSTO, Ernst & Young, GBC Scientific equipment, Google (USA), Howard Florey Institute, KPMG, Macquarie Bank, PricewaterhouseCoopers, secondary schools (general), universities (general), Walter and Eliza Hall Institute.

An Opportunity for Physics where a 'lapsed' Physicist describes his view of the value of a Physics training.