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:
Module Level | Major Requirements | Cumulative Major MCs |
---|---|---|
Level-1000 |
- PC1141 Introduction to Classical Mechanics |
24 |
Level-2000 |
- PC2130 Quantum Mechanics I |
48 |
Level-3000 |
- PC3130 Quantum Mechanics II |
68 |
Level-4000 |
- PC4199 Honours Project in Physics |
100 |
^ At most 4 MCs of UROPS module may be used to fufil the Physics major requirements.
# These elective modules are only offered to students reading a double degree in Materials Science and Engineering and in Physics.
Note:
Level-4000 PC prefixed modules may be taken to replace up to 8 MCs of the Level-3000 PC elective modules above. In such an event, these Level-4000 modules 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
(1) Astrophysics, or
(2) Nanophysics, or
(3) Quantum Technologies
Level 5000 modules
The total MCs required at each level for graduation for a major in Physics.
Summary of Requirements | B.Sc. | B.Sc. (Hons.) |
---|---|---|
University Requirements |
20 MC |
20 MCs |
Faculty Requirements | 8 MCs * |
8 MCs * |
Major Requirements | 68 MCs |
100 MCs |
Unrestricted Elective Modules | 24 MCs |
32 MCs |
Total |
120 MCs |
160 MCs |
* Faculty requirements of 12 MCs and 16 MCs [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 MCs 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.
The Department of Physics offers a Second Major in Physics which comprises of modules related to the fundamentals of physics as well as its applications. It is open to students with an GCE 'A' Level or H2 pass in Physics or equivalent, who are interested in widening their intellectual horizons or would like to better prepare themselves for future careers.
The second major is not offered with a primary major in Physics
Module Level | 2nd Major Requirements | Cumulative Major MCs |
---|---|---|
Level-1000 (16 MCs) | Pass in
|
16 |
Level-2000 (16 MCs) | Pass in
|
32 |
Level-3000 (16 MCs) | Pass any four from the following
|
48 |
Note: Level-4000 PC prefixed modules may be taken to replace up to 8 MCs of the Level-3000 PC elective modules above.
Discontinuation of the Double Degree Programme in BSc/BSc(Hons) in Physics and BEng(MSE) from Cohorts 17/18 onwards
The double degree programme aims to provide a science -driven, engineering-oriented education to both science and engineering students.
Please kindly take note of the following changes in the programme:
A) EE4401 Optoelectronics or EE 4437 PHOTONICS - PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATIONS for cohort AY2013/14 and before.
B) EE4437 PHOTONICS - PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATIONS for cohort AY2014/15 and after.
Nanoscience and nanotechnology are the ability to understand and manipulate matter at the molecular level, to create artificial structures at the nanoscale with potentially novel functions.
Structures behave differently when their dimensions are reduced to the range of between one and one hundred nanometers. Such structures exhibit novel and very much improved physical, chemical and biological properties, due entirely to their nanoscopic size. Once we can control feature sizes on the nanometer length scale, it is possible to enhance material properties and device functions beyond those that we presently know or even consider possible.
Nanotechnology is defined as the ability to work at the molecular level, atom by atom, to create large structures with fundamentally new molecular organization.
Nanoscience is an exciting new multidisciplinary realm that brings together the traditional disciplines of Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
The purpose of the Nanoscience Minor programme is to give a comprehensive introduction to the field of nanoscience, and would be suitable not only for students in the sciences and engineering, but also for students from any discipline with an interest in the latest developments in science.
This Nanoscience programme is in keeping with the latest research and technology trends today. An educated layman needs to be kept informed on the latest science and technology trends that could soon revolutionize the world’s economy.
This Minor would be particularly attractive to Physics, Chemistry majors and Engineering students.
To qualify for a Minor in Nanoscience, a student should pass six modules as follows:
Note: Chemistry and Physics majors are only allowed to read at most 3 CM- and 3PC- coded modules respectively; out of which two modules (at most), are allowed to overlap with a student's major requirements.
Implications: Students who are reading Nanoscience minor are able to read SP3277 to fulfil the programme’s elective requirement.
For more information and queries on the programme please contact:
Department of Physics, Sng Wee Lee (Manager)
or Department of Chemistry
The Department of Physics offers a Minor in Physics which comprises modules related to the fundamentals of physics, leading to a basic understanding of an important area of knowledge. It is aimed at engineering and science students for widening their intellectual horizons and preparing them for greater challenges ahead.
To be awarded a minor in Physics, a student must pass the following six modules:
Applicable to cohort until AY2016/17 |
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Applicable to cohort from AY2017/18 onwards |
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This minor is not awarded with the primary major in Physics or Physics (with specialisations in Astrophysics or Physics in Nanophysics) and second major in Physics.
Host Department: Physics and Life Sciences
Biophysics is a molecular science. It seeks to explain biological function in terms of the molecular structures and properties of specific molecules. These molecules, the sole building blocks of living organisms, assemble into cells, tissues, and whole organisms by forming complex individual structures with dimensions of 10, 100, 1000, 10,000 nm and larger. Proteins assemble into the casein micelles of milk, which aggregate to form the curd of cheese; proteins and ribonucleic acids assemble into ribosomes, the machinery for building proteins; lipids and proteins assemble into cell membranes, the external barriers and internal surfaces of cells; proteins and DNA wind up into chromosomes, the carriers of the genetic code; and so on.
Biophysics is an interdisciplinary science that applies the theories and methods of physical sciences, especially those of physics, to the study of biological systems. Biophysicists have contributed significantly to the understanding of life sciences. For example, the discovery of the structure of the DNA double helix was attributed to Professor Francis Crick (co-winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine, 1962) who was a physicist by training. More recently, physicist Sir Peter Mansfield won the Nobel Prize in Medicine (2003) for discoveries concerning magnetic resonance imaging. Such studies can be divided into these different areas of interest:
Objective of Minor Programme in Biophysics
The primary objective of this programme is to educate and train students with the core knowledge of physical sciences to tackle biological problems. Biophysics students will learn the fundamentals of biology and physics to prepare them for further studies at an advanced level. These students will be capable of meeting the challenges of modern-age biophysics, and will be able to carry out independent or collaborative research work. Students equipped with the Minor in Biophysics will gain an advantage in their challenging careers in research, academia and industry related to the high value-added and knowledge-intensive Life Sciences industry.
Curriculum Structure and Requirements
The Biophysics Minor Programme is jointly offered by the Department of Physics and the Office of Life Sciences for students matriculated in and after AY2006/07. To be awarded a minor in Biophysics, the students are required to pass six modules (24 MCs), of which not more than two modules may be Level-1000 modules and three essential modules namely PC2267 (Biophysics I), PC3267 (Biophysics II), and LSM3243 (Molecular Biophysics) must be included.
Students of ANY major may read the Biophysics Minor, including Physics and Life Sciences majors.
To be awarded a minor in Biophysics, the following are the requirements:
For students undertaking major in Life Sciences
For students undertaking major in Physics
For students not undertaking major in Life Sciences or Physics
Host: Faculty of Science (FoS) and Faculty of Engineering (FoE)
Medical Physics is the branch of physics that develops and applies the methods and techniques, often from Nuclear Physics, which form the basis of the advanced technologies used in medicine and healthcare today. Examples are imaging techniques such as X-ray Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET), as well as radiation therapy techniques such as Radiotherapy and Proton Therapy, relevant in cancer treatment.
The fact that life expectancy and population are increasing, and the tendency to adopt more affluent lifestyle habits, leads to an increase in the incidence of many chronic and degenerative diseases. For example, the prevalence of cancer is predicted to increase three-fold by 2030, and other aging related maladies will also be seen more frequently.
Because of the rising expectations for better quality healthcare, experts in Medical Physics are needed where specialized knowledge and skills are required in specific areas (e.g. Radiation Oncology, Proton Beam Therapy, Medical Imaging (MRI/CT) and Medical Technology).
The Medical Physics minor aims to teach the basics of Medical Physics and the constitutional knowledge that is required from Nuclear Physics as well as Biology & Life Science, in order to broaden the knowledge of some of our graduates at the interface of these fields.
Those students who aim to become professional Medical Physicists will be able to utilize the solid foundation the minor represents to carry on through the NUS Department of Biomedical Engineering’s new graduate programme in Medical Physics, which is currently being implemented.
My current role in National Cancer Centre involves assisting in the calibration of linear accelerators used for cancer treatment, performing patient specific quality assurance of treatment plans and occasionally treatment planning for patients according to the doctors’ requirements. This is a highly meaningful job which allows me to apply my love for physics to medicine to make a positive impact on people’s lives.
Being in the NUS physics programme has allowed me to gain a strong physics foundation which greatly aids me in catching onto the novel concepts used in clinical settings.
In addition to allowing me to understand the context of medical physics in Singapore, the medical physics minor programme has also further enhanced my understanding of the various physics concepts applied in relevant medical equipment and techniques through the lab experiments conducted. I would highly recommend students interested in the medical physics field to take up the minor.
In my current vocation as a medical physicist in radiation oncology at NCCS, it is my responsibility to ensure radiation safety and accurate dose delivery to cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. This entails treatment planning, routine quality assurance of treatment units and commissioning of new radiotherapy equipment.
During my education in NUS Physics, I was constantly challenged to reach my potential with the support from committed teaching staff and motivated peers around me.
The Medical Physics minor programme prepared me well for my current job with its breadth of applied physics and life science modules that include hands-on experiments in the radiation and life science laboratories. I also had the opportunity to be attached to Chang Gung University Institute for Radiological Research in Taiwan under the Undergraduate Professional Internship Programme (UPIP).”
Prerequisites
The Medical Physics programme is an undergraduate minor programme both for physics majors (FoS) and other Science & Engineering (FoE and FoS) students with
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The Medical Physics minor will cover relevant topics in Medical Physics including nuclear physics, nuclear analytical techniques, radiation physics, imaging techniques and accelerator based applications (e.g. proton therapy).
Invitations to apply for the Medical Physics minor will be sent to first & second year FoE & FoS students. Applicants who meet the pre‐requisites and have a good academic standing will be invited for an interview.
Structure
The Medical Physics minor programme will consist of the following set of core modules (12MCs):
Module (4MC each) | Pre-requisites |
---|---|
GEK1540 Modern Technology in Medicine and Healthcare (for AY2014/15 Cohort and before) GEH1032 Modern Technology in Medicine and Healthcare (for AY2015/16 Cohort and after) |
Nil |
PC3232 Nuclear & Particle Physics (for physics majors) OR |
PC2130 or PC2130B |
PC3232B Applied Nuclear Physics | PC1144 Physics IV or PC1432 Engineering Physics or PC2232 Physics for Electrical Engineers or PC2130B Applied Quantum Physics |
PC3294 Radiation Laboratory module | PC3232 Nuclear and Particle physics or PC3232B Applied Nuclear Physics |
Students in the Medical Physics minor programme are required to read at least 12 MCs of modules from the set of electives below, with at most 8 MCs from 1000 level modules.
Modules (4MC each)
This specialisation focuses on Celestial Physics and Cosmology. Typically suitable for students aspiring to be physics teachers, it has also an important component of data analysis.
To be awarded a specialisation in Astrophysics, candidates must read and pass the following modules, as part of the major requirements for B.Sc. (Hons.) with a primary major in Physics.
Module Level | Major Requirements | Cumulative Major MCs |
---|---|---|
Level-3000 |
- PC3246 Astrophysics I |
4 |
Level-4000 |
- PC4248 General Relativity - PC4249 Astrophysics II - PC4199 Honours Project in Physics (Astrophysics)** |
24 |
For more information and queries on this specialisation, please contact:
Dr Cindy Ng
This specialisation focuses on the scientific principles behind the technological and industrial developments of materials with advanced functionalities.
To be awarded a specialisation in Nanophysics, candidates must read and pass the following modules as part of the major requirements for B.Sc. (Hons.) with a primary major in Physics.
Module Level | Major Requirements | Cumulative Major MCs |
---|---|---|
Level-3000 and Level-4000 |
Pass any 24 MCs from the following - PC3235 Solid State Physics I - PC3241 Solid State Devices - PC3242 Physics of Semiconductor Processing - PC3243 Photonics - PC4246 Quantum Optics - PC4253 Thin Film Technology - PC4199 Honours Project in Physics (Nanophysics)** |
24 |
**Honours Project has to be in the area of specialisation.
For more information and queries on this specialisation, please contact:
Prof Sow Chorng Haur, Head of Department
This specialisation focuses on the foundations of quantum mechanics and its application to sensing, communication, computation and cryptography.
To be awarded a Specialisation for Quantum Technologies, candidates must earn 24 MC from the following modules, all of which are part of the major requirements for B.Sc. (Hons.) with a primary Major in Physics:
Module Level | Major Requirements | Cumulative MCs |
---|---|---|
Compulsory modules |
- PC4228 Device physics for Quantum Technology - PC4199 Honours Project in Physics, on a related subject [*] |
4 |
Two modules, with at least one Level 4000 module |
- PC3233 Atomic and Molecular Physics I, - PC3288 Advanced UROPS in Physics I, on a related subject [*] - PC4230 Quantum Mechanics III - PC4243 Atomic and Molecular Physics II - PC4246 Quantum Optics |
8 |
[*] Projects are approved by default if proposed by:
- any of the CQT PIs (https://www.quantumlah.org/people/staff.php?cat=research; type “principal” in the search window)
- Gong Jiangbin (https://www.physics.nus.edu.sg/staff/gongjb.html)
- Mankei Tsang (https://www.physics.nus.edu.sg/staff/tsangmk.html)
- Charles Lim (https://www.quantumlah.org/people/profile.php?id=353)
Notice that some of those are not members of the Physics Department: in that case, a co-supervisor from the Department will have to be found. Projects proposed by supervisors that are not in this list will have to be vetted on a case-by-case basis.
For more information and queries on this specialisation, please contact:
Prof Valerio Scarani, Deputy Head (Education)
All classical physics originated in Europe, and the defining periods of modern 20th century Physics were dominated by German physicists, or by physicists in Germany. Through the Germany Immersion Trips (GIT) the Department of Physics offers an opportunity to its students of getting a first-hand impression of today's universities and research institutes in Germany, while at the same time making contact with places of great scientific and cultural tradition.
For more information and queries on the programme please contact:
A/P Thomas Osipowicz