From the kinetic energy of a speeding car to nuclear fusion energy, from nearby stars to distant galaxies, physicists examine matter and energy in all their forms. Curtin’s School of Electrical Engineering, Computing and Mathematics (EECMS) work closely with the Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy (CIRA), which is involved in the Square Kilometre Array and the Murchison Widefield Array, as well as the investigation of active galactic nuclei and radio galaxies, transient radio phenomena and pulsars, and the birth of the first stars and galaxies in the Universe. In this major, you will study a range of real-world problems through observation, measurement and theoretical analysis. You can specialise in the following streams: Astrophysics: This stream includes units suitable for those interested in radio astronomy, particularly the Square Kilometre Array. You’ll have the chance to grapple with some of the biggest scientific questions, ranging from the origins of the Universe to the nature of ‘dark matter’ and ‘dark energy’. Curtin’s involvement in the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) and the Square Kilometre Array project has the potential to provide you with hands-on experience analysing data from cutting-edge radio telescopes, using state-of-the-art supercomputing facilities. Applied Physics: In this stream you will learn how to study and measure matter and energy in the Earth’s natural and managed environments: the atmosphere, hydrosphere (oceans, rivers), land and soils, and living organisms. You will study a diverse range of topics, including the development of sensors and energy-saving ‘green’ materials, the interaction of sunlight with particulates in the atmosphere and oceans, disposal and storage of radioactive wastes, and the dynamics of the ocean and atmosphere. This stream includes a strong emphasis on physics principles in an environmental context, applied computer programming, instrument deployment during field excursions, and field and satellite data processing and analysis. It also provides exposure to a number of multidisciplinary activities in fields such as biology, geology and chemistry. Materials Science: This stream examines materials from a unified point of view. It looks for connections between the underlying structure of a material, its properties, how processing changes it and what the material can do. You will study a range of materials, including metals, semiconductors, glasses, ceramics and polymers. You will also learn about the analytical instruments and different forms of radiation that materials scientists use to investigate the microstructure of samples. These include electron microscopes, X-ray scattering facilities including synchrotrons, and neutrons generated in a nuclear reactor. Computer simulation is another key technology used by materials scientists and you will learn how to apply it to your work. Mathematical Physics: Mathematical physics is the study of nature using advanced mathematics. This field is advancing in everything from basic physics to quantum mechanics, and on every scale from the quark to the Big Bang. Through mathematical models and powerful supercomputers, we can predict the progress of climatic changes, the flow of oil reservoirs, development of new materials, and nanotechnology. Professional recognition: Successful completion of the Physics Major will enable membership of the Australian Institute of Physics. Many international equivalents of the AIP also accept graduates as members. Career information Astrophysicist Computational Physicist Computer Programmer Materials Analyst Remote-sensing Scientist Optical-radiation Physicist Marine Physicist