Physics and Electronics
Contents
Introduction
Physics at UNE had its beginnings in 1939 as part of the New England University College. A complete list of PhD graduates is below (see Menu on the right).
Physics can be studied at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Units in Physics, Electronics and Astronomy are taught by Physics staff in a range of degrees. Most units can be studied either internally (on campus in Armidale) or externally.
Newsflash!
UNE’s Precision Agriculture Research Group has succeeded in gaining a major research project to evaluate and demonstrate some of the latest in precision agriculture concepts and technologies including onground crop and soil sensors, GPS cattle-tracking collars, unmanned autonomous vehicles (UAVs or ‘drones’), 3-D visualization and airborne/satellite imaging. The project, called Clever Cattle & Cropping Systems is funded by the Cooperative Research Centre for Spatial Information ($963,000 over three years) and involves staff of UNE Physics and Electronics, Agronomy and Soil Science, Computing Science and Animal Science. Industry partners include Sundown Pastoral, Twynam Agriculture, Geogenx, V-Tol Aerospace, Superair, GPS-Ag, University of Melbourne, CTF Solutions and the CSIRO.
Why study Physics and Electronics at UNE?
The enthusiastic and well qualified staff have great experience in teaching Physics and Electronics units in both the internal and external modes. Classes are modest in size which provides great opportunities for interacting with the teaching staff.
There is a range of options for graduates wishing to progress to postgraduate study and research.
Courses
A major in Physics can be undertaken in these degrees:
Bachelor of Science
Graduate Diploma in Science (Physics)
Advanced Diploma in The Sciences (Physics)
Diploma in The Sciences (Physics)
Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Audio Engineering Technology)
Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Electronics Engineering Technology)
Physics units are also offered in:
Bachelor of Environmental Science
Bachelor of Rural Science
Bachelor of Agriculture
Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Teaching
Bachelor of Computer Science
Units
The units offered by Physics and Electronics are the following:
Year 1
PHYS131 Applied Physics I
The first semester unit for first year Physics. Topics include mechanics, electricity and magnetism, ac and dc circuits.
PHYS132 Applied Physics II
The second semester unit for first year Physics. Topics include fluid mechanics, heat and thermodynamics, waves, optics, semiconductors and elementary quantum physics.
The units PHYS131 and PHYS132 are for students who wish to major in the Physical Sciences. They are also aimed at students who wish to major in other disciplines and want to include some Physics in their study.
PHYS123 Foundation Physics
An introductory unit for students who have not studied Physics previously. It is aimed at preparing students for PHYS131 and 132.
Year 2
PHYS204 Electromagnetism 1
The mathematics and physics of electricity and magnetism is extended in this unit beyond the basic electricity and magnetism introduced in PHYS121. An essential unit for a Physics student.
PHYS207 Fluid Mechanics
The physics of hydrostatics and fluid flow. The unit is designed for Physics and Engineering students.
PHYS211 Introduction to Electronics
A unit for Physics and Electronics students on the analysis and design of electric circuits.
ASTY221 Introduction to Astronomy
This is a general introductory unit on Astronomy suitable for students in any discipline. It can be included as part of many degrees.
Year 3
PHYS301 Symmetry, Spectroscopy and Quantum Mechanics
The ideas of quantum mechanics are introduced at school and in some first and second year units in Physics and Chemistry. This unit teaches real quantum mechanics: what it is and how it is applied.
PHYS311 Digital Electronic Systems
This unit builds on PHYS211 and studies the design and analysis of digital electronics.
PHYS313 Applied Photonics
Applied Photonics covers topics in advanced geometrical optics, optical interference, radiometry and photometry, and optical fibre technologies, including modern communications systems and optical fibre sensing.
BIOP320 Biomedical Applications of Biophysics
This unit will apply elements of biophysics to biological systems as applied to health and forensic science.
ENEV335 Irrigation and Precision Agriculture
This unit provides an introduction to irrigation and Precision Agriculture and its application to agricultural practices.
Students who wish to study Physics units at another Australian university are encouraged to discuss options for counting those units towards a UNE Physics degree with our academic staff.
Careers
Our graduates find employment in a wide range of careers including teaching and research positions in Universities, research and administrative positions in research organisations such as CSIRO, working in industry and teaching in schools.
Partnerships, networks and industry links
Physics and Electronics has extensive links with industry through involvement in numerous projects funded by the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Spatial Information and Irrigation Futures, as well as the Sheep CRC. Staff within our Precision Agriculture Research Group work closely with some of the largest agribusiness companies in Australia including Twynam Agriculture and Sundown Pastoral Company. Staff are also involved with local wine grape growers and energy provider Country Energy through a major Frost Protection Research Project conducted at Peterson’s Armidale Vineyard, and interact with the Australian Coal Industry through projects funded by Beltana Highwall Mining (Hunter Valley) and The Australian Coal Association Research Program.
Research
Our main research areas are
- Photonics Sensors Group
- Precision Agriculture Research Group
- Applied electronics
- Phase-contrast imaging and tomography
- Photo-emission electron microscopy
- Coherent diffraction imaging
- Statistical diffraction theory and high-resolution X-ray diffraction
- Theory of nuclear spin relaxation, solid state diffusion and hydrogen in metals
Staff
PhD graduates
Please click here for the list of our PhD graduates.Links
Australian Institute of Physics
American Institute of Physics
UK Institute of Physics
Australian Universities
Physics Departments throughout the world
Values of fundamental physical constants
A dictionary of laws, rules, principles, and other related topics in Physics and Astronomy
A Dictionary of Units of Measurement
UNE and Northern Tablelands Astronomical Society (UNENTAS)
Contacts
Professor David Lamb
Convenor of Physics and Electronics
Email: dlamb@une.edu.au
Phone: +61 2 6773 3565
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