Physicists are involved in finding solutions to challenges facing our world, including developing instruments for environmental monitoring, computer models for climate change prediction, and developing solar and renewable energy systems. Physicists are also attempting to address the world’s ever-increasing appetite for information and information processing by undertaking research into quantum computers, nanotechnology, lasers and photonics.

Physics deals with the natural laws and processes, and the states and properties of matter, energy, space and time. Physics also underlies many of the recent advances in information technology, medicine and biotechnology. Areas of specialisation include mechanics, electromagnetism, lasers and optics, medical physics, computational physics, nuclear and radiation physics, astronomy and astrophysics, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics and relativity. 

Physicists are an asset to almost any industry. Employment areas of QUT physics graduates are very wide ranging. These include research and development departments of large manufacturing companies, mining and exploration companies, research institutions such as the CSIRO and the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, government bodies such as the Bureau of Meteorology, environmental protection agencies and health departments, schools, universities and hospitals.

Broad training in data analysis and problem-solving skills also makes physicists well suited to management and consulting roles in a range of technology-based industries. 

Professional recognition

Graduates are eligible for membership of the Australian Institute of Physics, dependent on choice of study options.