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Contents

Subject Overview

You have many options available to you within a BSc Physics major. You can choose to keep your Physics major general, or you can choose to follow one of two Physics pathways, in order to focus your studies further:
- Medical Physics and Imaging Technology: The science of biomedical optics, biophotonics and medical physics. Students on this pathway will gain specialist training in the use of optical and laser technologies for biomedical studies, with applications in sensing, medicine and modelling.
- Photonics: The science and technology of light. Students on this pathway will gain specialist training in photonic and electronic engineering, advanced physics and mathematical electronics.

Photonics is the technology behind the generation and control of light. A comparatively new field of research, photonics is set to become a key technology for the 21st Century. Through the use of lasers, optics, and electro-optical devices it aims to allow new measurements and applications across many diverse fields of technology.
Applications of photonics can be found in computer and cellphone displays, advanced manufacturing, LED-based lighting systems, new photovoltaic clean-energy generators and laser micro-fabrication. There are also ever-increasing applications of laser technology in medicine. One of the largest and most important applications of photonics is in optical communications. The phenomenal development of the World Wide Web is only possible because of the enormous bandwidths now available for data transmission through optical fibres.
Photonics at Auckland is supported by a large photonics research initiative within the Department of Physics, and by the Dodd-Walls Centre for Photonic and Quantum Technologies.

Potential Careers

In New Zealand and around the world there is growing demand for staff with an understanding of optics as well as electronics. At the University of Auckland, Photonics courses have been designed with particular input from the local industries most likely to recruit graduates. Our graduates now work in the photonics industry in New Zealand for companies including Fisher and Paykel Healthcare, Vodafone, Tait Electronics, Cubic Defence, Downer, Coherent Solutions, Southern Photonics. Many students have also found employment at major photonics companies worldwide.

Schedule

Plan Schedules

Complete 225 to 240 points comprising:

  • 15 points from Stage I Physics Elective Courses, and
  • 15 points for all Stage I Physics Compulsory Course, and
  • Either:
  • 45 points from Mathematics Option 1 - General, or
  • 60 points for all Mathematics Option 2 - Algebra and Calculus, and
  • 75 points from Stage II Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Physics Courses, and
  • 75 points from Additional Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Physics Courses

Stage I Physics Elective Courses

Complete exactly 15 points from the following:

Stage I Physics Compulsory Course

Complete 15 points for ALL of the following:

Mathematics Option 1 - General

Complete exactly 45 points from the following:

Mathematics Option 2 - Algebra and Calculus

Complete 60 points for ALL of the following:

Stage II Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Physics Courses

Complete exactly 75 points from the following:

Additional Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Physics Courses

Complete exactly 75 points from the following: