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BSc Physics

理學士(物理學)

Academic Year of Entry 2023/24
Mode of Funding Government funded
Admission Code 1208
BSc Physics
Mode of Study Full time
Normal Duration of Programme 4 years
Programme Website Click here to open
Tuition Fee Click here for more information
Programme/Major Leader
Prof CHAN Kwok-sum
+852 3442 7814
apkschan@cityu.edu.hk
Deputy Programme/Major Leader
Dr YU Wing Chi
+852 3442 7702
wingcyu@cityu.edu.hk
General Enquiries
+852 3442 7831
phy.go@cityu.edu.hk
Remark: For JUPAS applicants, the programme code is JS1208.

Programme Outlines

Programme Video

Chinese version English version

 

Admission Talk

Admission and related Information for
BSc in Physics

Department of Physics

Building on the excellent tradition of the physics faculty in the former Department of Physics and Materials Science, the Department of Physics aspires to become a leading physics department in the Asia-Pacific Region. Our faculty members have received international recognition, including fellowships from prestigious societies such as the American Physical Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Materials Research Society.

Students pursuing the BSc Physics major are taught fundamental physics topics, and various specialized physics-related disciplines such as biophysics, medical physics, financial engineering, optics, and material science/solid-state physics, paving their way to diversified career paths in the medical and health care, engineering, education, commercial and industrial sectors or postgraduate studies. Students may take part in the Department’s research attachment scheme, which gives them early exposure to discovery and innovation. Students who meet certain requirements can apply for admission to the Joint Bachelor’s Degree Program between City University of Hong Kong and Columbia University in the US (http://gs.columbia.edu/cityu-hk/) or Undergraduate plus Taught Postgraduate Degree Programme (BSc Physics + MSc Applied Physics) (https://www.cityu.edu.hk/phy/ug-plus-tpg). 

物理學學士學位課程，涵蓋基礎物理學及應用物理相關專題，包括生物物理、醫學物理、金融工程、光學、和材料科學 / 固態物理，為學生開拓多元化的就業前境。畢業生可應聘到醫院、工程界、科技公司、教育界、工商界等不同機構工作，亦可選擇繼續升學深造。本學系設有研究實習計劃，讓學生及早接觸科學探索，啟發創新思維。同時，修讀本課程並符合指定條件的學生，均可申請報讀香港城市大學－美國哥倫比亞大學雙聯學士學位課程 (http://gs.columbia.edu/cityu-hk/) 或 物理學理學士及應用物理學理學項士學位課程 (https://www.cityu.edu.hk/phy/ug-plus-tpg)。​

 

Our Target

We equip our students with knowledge and critical thinking skills that will enable them to tackle difficult problems throughout their careers. The curriculum teaches not only foundational courses in physics, but also technology-driven courses such as computer modelling and advanced instrumentation. It enables students to acquire knowledge and skills from the following areas: Biophysics, Medical Physics, Financial Engineering, Optics, and Material Science/Solid-state Physics. Graduates are well equipped not only for developing a diverse range of professional careers but also for pursuing postgraduate studies.

 

Admission Arrangements for Direct/Non-JUPAS Applicants

Applicants to this programme (admission code: 1208) will be considered for admission to first-year studies in the Bachelor of Science in Physics programme.

Applicants seeking advanced standing entry can submit an application for the following programme:

  • BSc Physics (admission code: 1638A)

Click here for the qualifications eligible for advanced standing entry.

Entrance Requirements for Direct/Non-JUPAS Applicants

To be considered for admission, you must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements. Applicants are also expected to have a science or engineering background.

Curriculum Structure

(For First Year)

Gateway Education

GE English/EAP (6 credit units)#

  • GE English (1): GE 1401 University English (3 credit units)
  • GE English (2): GE 2401 English for Science (3 credit units)

#Students scoring below Level 4 in HKDSE English Language or Grade D in HKALE AS-level Use of English or students who do not possess an equivalent qualification are required to complete two 3-credit unit courses, prior to taking the GE English courses. Students who demonstrate that they have achieved a grade B or above in their overall course results for ELA0200A will achieve 3 credits and also be considered to have satisfied the pre-requisite for entry to the GE English courses without needing to take ELA0200B.

College Specified GE Courses (9 credit units)

  • MA1200/MA1300 (3 credit units)
    Calculus and Basic Linear Algebra I/
    Enhanced Calculus and Linear Algebra I
  • MA1201/MA1301 (3 credit units)
    Calculus and Basic Linear Algebra II/
    Enhanced Calculus and Linear Algebra II
  • CS1302 (3 credit units)
    Introduction to Computer Programming

Any GE Courses (3 credit units)

  • GE1501 Chinese Civilization – History and Philosophy and/or GE courses from the distributional areas

College Required Courses

College Required Science Courses (6 credit units)

  • PHY1101 Introductory Classical Mechanics (3 credit units)

Choose one from the following science courses:

  • CHEM1101 Introduction to Chemistry (3 credit units)
  • CHEM1300 Principles of General Chemistry (3 credit units)
  • CHEM1200 Discovery in Biology (3 credit units)
  • MA1501 Coordinate Geometry (3 credit units)
  • MA1502 Algebra (3 credit units)

Soft Skills Courses (0 credit unit)

  • CSCI1001 Employability for Scientists
  • CSCI1002 Career Lab for Scientists

Major Required Courses

Department Specified Courses (6 credit units)

  • PHY1202 General Physics II (3 credit units)
  • PHY1203 General Physics III (3 credit units)

For details of the programme’s curriculum structure, please visit the ‘Undergraduate Catalogue’ (Note: The catalogue for the 2022 cohort is for reference only. The 2023 catalogue will be published around July 2023.)

Career Prospects

Physics graduates enjoy a diverse range of challenging careers from medical physicists, financial engineers, data scientists to professionals in STEM education, scientific research and technological development. Graduates may also develop their careers in the commercial sector or take up public sector roles in organisations such as the Hong Kong Observatory, the Environmental Protection Department and the Hospital Authority.

Our physics major also prepares students for further studies in fundamental physics, biophysics, medical physics, quantum physics, computational physics, materials engineering and other related fields.

Alumni Sharing

Nate YEUNG Kin Ho (FX Trader, Deutche Bank) Dr Monica KAN Wai Kwan (Senior Physicist & Department Manager, Department of Clinical Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital)

 

Student Exchange/Internship

The College of Science and the Department offer work placement opportunities through different internship schemes that provide students with full-time job attachments to companies in Hong Kong, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area and Overseas. Through such placements, students will:

  • gain solid experience in a real-world work environment;
  • develop problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills;
  • learn the right attitudes towards work and professionalism; and
  • broaden their experience and enhance their employability.

 

For details, please visit the College’s website on Internship Schemes.

 

To broaden students’ exposures beyond the classroom and enrich their international experience, the Department, College and University offer a wide range of credit-bearing exchange programmes with around 350 partner universities over the world, including Australia, Canada, Europe, the US and the Asia-Pacific region.

 

For details, please visit the University’s outbound exchange programme website

Bonus Features

  • Joint Bachelor’s Degree Program between City University of Hong Kong and Columbia University: Students who meet certain requirements can apply for admission to this Joint Bachelor’s Degree Program (http://gs.columbia.edu/cityu-hk/).
  • Research Attachment Scheme: Through this scheme, students can gain additional insights into the fascinating world of physics and related disciplines and equip themselves for undertaking final year projects or further studies.  
  • State-of-the-art Equipment and Facilities: The dilution refrigerator in our low-temperature labs, a HK$4-million piece of equipment, can generate temperatures much lower than deep space, enabling our students and researchers to observe quantum mechanical effects. Students can also access the China Spallation Neutron Source at Dongguang, one of only four pulsed spallation neutron sources in the world.
  • Undergraduate plus Taught Postgraduate Degree Programme​: Elite students can apply for the programme where they can benefit from advanced physics courses normally taught at the postgraduate level (https://www.cityu.edu.hk/phy/ug-plus-tpg).

Did You Know?

  • Some outstanding students choose to join research teams or further their studies in prestigious universities such as Columbia University and Northwestern University in the US, Oxford and Cambridge in the UK.
     
  • Prof. S T Chu and his collaborators have achieved a new world record of the fastest internet data speed by using a piece of equipment known as a ‘micro-comb’. Their research findings were published in the prestigious scientific journal Nature Communications, and featured on BBC news. It was also widely reported by the local media. 

Useful Links

Department of Physics
College of Science
CityU Talents Programme

Undergraduate Catalogue (The catalogue for the 2022 cohort is for reference only. The 2023 catalogue will be published around July 2023.)