Honours in Physics
As a physics honours student you become a member of the School of Physical Sciences and part of a research group.
The Department of Physics engages in research across a broad range of topics, all with strong national and international connections. Whether you are interested in industry-related research, or some of the big questions in modern day physics, you will find a project to match your career goals and interests.
Physics at the University of Adelaide has consistently won the top grade for research performance in the government’s Excellence in Research for Australia surveys. Come and experience how research is undertaken in world-leading research groups.
![Study physics with lasers and optics](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_image_landscape/public/media/images/2019-03/physics-banner-ipas.jpg?h=41a5bbed&itok=76YiVMZ5)
Key contacts
- Honours Coordinator: Professor James Zanotti
- Theoretical/Maths Physics Advisor: Associate Professor Ross Young
- Medical Physics Advisor: Dr Alex Santos
Honours lectures
This document contains information about the available lecture modules that you will build into your honours degree.
Honours lecture module descriptions
Honours projects
Supervisors with available physics projects have been added to the 'honours project finder’. You may prefer to search under project sub-themes using the tabs below.
Read our guide on 'how to choose a physics project' before searching through the projects.
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Gravitational waves
more...06
Dec
Exploring the core of supernovae using gravitational wave observations
Honours project: this project involves producing simulated populations, injecting them in read data, reconstruct the events with cWB and investigating which distributional test performs better in detecting the population.
06
Dec
Intensity noise suppression of mid-infrared lasers for gravitational wave lasers
Honours project: this project will investigate the intensity fluctuations of these lasers for the first time and design stabilization systems to ensure that these lasers meet the exacting requirements of the latest upgrades to gravitational wave detectors.
06
Dec
Sub quantum noise limited position sensors for gravitational wave detectors
Honours project: in this project you will investigate a new laser-based position detector that will hopefully surpass these limits and allow the low frequency performance of gravitational wave detectors to improved.
01
Sep
Optical fibres in space for high bandwidth and black hole detection
Honours project: Explore the creation of high-purity glass aboard the International Space Station to unlock internet bandwidth limits and improve gravitational wave detectors.
01
Jan
Honours project: The goal of this project is to explore the use of new imaging arrays for laser beam profilers that can cover a wide range of wavelengths.
01
Jan
Mixed Digital and Analog Control of Advanced Lasers
Honours project: This project explores the use of blended control strategies to optimise the performance of advanced lasers.
01
Jan
High-Precision Surface Metrology of Mirrors
Honours project: This project provides the opportunity to adapt an advanced set of modeling tools to predict the performance of 2µm lasers and help optimise their performance.
01
Jan
Machine Learning Techniques for Advanced Gravitational Wave Detectors
Honours project: This project will use advanced interferometer simulation software, developed by researchers at Adelaide, coupled with machine learning and Bayesian analysis methods to develop new techniques for extracting experimental parameters within gravitational wave interferometers.
01
Jan
High Resolution 3D Scene Mapping Using Advanced GW Technology
Honours project: In this project you will explore phase camera technology to understand its potential and limitations.
01
Jan
High-Precision Characterisation of Optics Using Hartmann Wavefront Sensors
Honours projects: Accurate knowledge of optical parameters is becoming increasingly important for a wide range of scientific and industrial applications.
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High energy astrophysics projects
more...06
Dec
Exploring the core of supernovae using gravitational wave observations
Honours project: this project involves producing simulated populations, injecting them in read data, reconstruct the events with cWB and investigating which distributional test performs better in detecting the population.
06
Dec
Intensity noise suppression of mid-infrared lasers for gravitational wave lasers
Honours project: this project will investigate the intensity fluctuations of these lasers for the first time and design stabilization systems to ensure that these lasers meet the exacting requirements of the latest upgrades to gravitational wave detectors.
06
Dec
Sub quantum noise limited position sensors for gravitational wave detectors
Honours project: in this project you will investigate a new laser-based position detector that will hopefully surpass these limits and allow the low frequency performance of gravitational wave detectors to improved.
01
Jan
Advanced LIGO Detector Characterisation & CW Astrophysics
Honours project: This project provides the opportunity to work on continuous-wave (CW) searches and advanced LIGO detector characterisation as part of the OzGrav Centre of Excellence.
01
Jan
High-Precision Characterisation of Optics Using Hartmann Wavefront Sensors
Honours projects: Accurate knowledge of optical parameters is becoming increasingly important for a wide range of scientific and industrial applications.
01
Jan
Studying the Highest Energy Particles in Nature with the Pierre Auger Observatory
Honours project: Projects with the Pierre Auger Observatory in western Argentina which has been built to detect giant cascades of particles created in our atmosphere by the highest energy particles known in the Universe.
01
Jan
Honours projects: Opportunities to study extended sources which may include supernova remnants, pulsar nebulae, star formation regions and also mysterious unidentified sources, as well as searching for transient/bursting sources in High Energy Stereoscopic System (HESS) data.
01
Jan
Honours projects: Gamma-ray astronomy projects which study the most energetic part of the electromagnetic spectrum and correspondingly require large telescope systems and state-of-the-art analysis techniques.
01
Jan
High-Energy Neutrino Astronomy with the IceCube Detector at the South Pole
Honours projects: Honours projects which contribute to the IceCube detector science goals.
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Luminescence
more...01
Sep
It’s space water, but not as we know it
Honours projects: Explore laser-induced fluorescence of water and aqueous minerals for space applications.
01
Sep
Noble gases in ancient fluid droplets in minerals
Honours projects: Extract rare noble gas isotopes from specific mineral phases such as quartz.
01
Sep
Honours projects: Use new fluorescence imaging techniques to analyse fossils that range in age from half-a-billion to some tens of thousands of years old.
01
Sep
Saving megafauna from bacteria
Honours projects: Identify and image biofilms that threaten the Naracoorte Caves National Park fossils.
01
Jan
Honours projects: The Environmental Luminescence group studies a range of real-world problems requiring the detection of ultra-low levels of light, of relevance to Environmental Monitoring, Quaternary Geology, Archaeology, Palaeontology, Earth Sciences, and Defence and National Security.
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Medical physics
more...01
Jan
Validating a 2D scanning system for radiation shielding verification in medical imaging departments
Honours project: The aim of this project is to assist in the validation of a radionuclide NaI probe-based method that determines lead thickness and integrity using transmission data from a gamma-ray source (99mTc).
01
Jan
Modelling and analysis of cell survival data from hadron therapy
Honours projects: Study honours in physics and help improve the accuracy of cancer treatment planning.
01
Jan
3D Printing of Optical Calibration Objects for High Resolution Medical Imaging
Honours projects: Accurate knowledge of optical parameters is becoming increasingly important for a wide range of scientific and industrial applications.
01
Jan
Investigation of the use of Optical Photogrammetry in High Dose Rate Surface Brachytherapy
Honours project: This project utilises optical photogrammetry to address limitations of surface mould applicators for brachytherapy.
01
Jan
Characterisation of the Dosimetric Properties of Radiochromic Films
Honours project:This project will involve Monte-Carlo simulations of the dose deposition within the different radiochromic film designs.
01
Jan
Optical coherence tomography for intra-operative assessment of osteoarthritis
Honours projects: Develop a synthetic model of a soft cartilage over bone, most likely using some type of polymer resin over a rigid surface.
01
Jan
Small Field Dosimetry with Beryllium Oxide Ceramic Fibre Optic Dosimeters
Honours project: This project will involve Monte-Carlo simulations of the beryllium oxide (BeO) ceramic dosimeter to determine the expected dose deposition when exposed to small fields. Experimental measurements will then be performed at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and compared to other dosimetry systems.
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Optics, lasers and photonics
more...06
Dec
Exploring the core of supernovae using gravitational wave observations
Honours project: this project involves producing simulated populations, injecting them in read data, reconstruct the events with cWB and investigating which distributional test performs better in detecting the population.
06
Dec
Intensity noise suppression of mid-infrared lasers for gravitational wave lasers
Honours project: this project will investigate the intensity fluctuations of these lasers for the first time and design stabilization systems to ensure that these lasers meet the exacting requirements of the latest upgrades to gravitational wave detectors.
06
Dec
Sub quantum noise limited position sensors for gravitational wave detectors
Honours project: in this project you will investigate a new laser-based position detector that will hopefully surpass these limits and allow the low frequency performance of gravitational wave detectors to improved.
01
Sep
Quantum Mechanical Theory and Experiment
Honours projects: Accurate knowledge of optical parameters is becoming increasingly important for a wide range of scientific and industrial applications.
01
Sep
Honours projects: Accurate knowledge of optical parameters is becoming increasingly important for a wide range of scientific and industrial applications.
01
Sep
Honours project: Optimise methodologies to detect irradiated food by optically-stimulated luminescence.
01
Sep
Honours projects: Use new fluorescence imaging techniques to analyse fossils that range in age from half-a-billion to some tens of thousands of years old.
01
Sep
Saving megafauna from bacteria
Honours projects: Identify and image biofilms that threaten the Naracoorte Caves National Park fossils.
01
Sep
It’s space water, but not as we know it
Honours projects: Explore laser-induced fluorescence of water and aqueous minerals for space applications.
01
Sep
Optical fibres in space for high bandwidth and black hole detection
Honours project: Explore the creation of high-purity glass aboard the International Space Station to unlock internet bandwidth limits and improve gravitational wave detectors.
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High-energy physics
more...01
Sep
Experimental High-Energy Physics
Honours projects: Projects in high energy physics with:
01
Jan
Theoretical High Energy Physics
Honours projects: Available projects include supersymmetry (SUSY), GUTs, dark matter, extra-dimensional models, composite Higgs models, and scale invariant theories.
01
Jan
High-energy Physics Phenomenology
Honours projects: Projects which combine experimental, computational and theoretical physics.
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Space and atmospheric physics
more...01
Jan
Investigation of doppler perturbations in ground based satellite observations
Honours projects: Investigate unknown ionospheric phenomena which affect the accuracy of ground-based satellite observations.
01
Sep
Using Radar Satellite Detections to Monitor the Ionosphere
Honours project: Refining satellite detection techniques using a large radar north of Adelaide to develop new ways to measure the amount of plasma in the upper atmosphere and compare the results with other methods.
01
Sep
Probing the ionosphere using radio signals
Honours project: Evaluate the utility of software defined radio (SDR) for providing low-cost ionospheric sounder receivers.
01
Sep
Optical fibres in space for high bandwidth and black hole detection
Honours project: Explore the creation of high-purity glass aboard the International Space Station to unlock internet bandwidth limits and improve gravitational wave detectors.
01
Jan
Honours project: Development of balloon-borne optical instruments to investigate super-cooled liquid water in the atmosphere, and its effect on weather and climate models.
01
Jan
Honours projects: Scanning weather radars use empirical relationships to calculate rainfall rates from the measured returned power. Depending on student’s interest various projects using a combinations of systems is possible. These could include sensor fusion, radar deployment, comparison techniques, validation with Bureau of Meteorology’s computational models, etc.
01
Jan
Honours project: Integration of data from multiple instruments to determine the origins of recurring and transient weather events in the Adelaide area.
01
Jan
Honours projects: Students will gain experience in radio interferometry techniques which underpin major astronomy programs in Australia such as the Square Kilometre Array (SKA).
01
Jan
Active & Passive Measurement of Atmospheric Trace Gases
Honours projects: This project could develop along a couple of paths. either developing a lidar (active) that measures Raman-scattered light from water, and which will ultimately be deployed at Davis Station in Antarctica as part of a larger campaign to understand the influence of the Southern Ocean in the Earth’s climate system; or quantifying methane leaks, based on a knowledge of the local atmospheric conditions and measured methane concentrations.
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Theoretical physics
more...01
Sep
Honours projects: Projects focused on complex systems which are are typically comprised of a large number of interconnected components which interact collectively, leading to emergent behaviour, such as self-organisation, which is not apparent from the properties of the underlying components.
01
Sep
Honours projects: Projects can be phenomenological or mathematical in character, or the focus may be on technique.
01
Jan
Models of Hadrons & Hadronic Interactions
Honours projects: Projects using models such as NJL, or the MIT bag, to calculate hadron properties, to calculate reactions involving hadrons and to build quark models of atomic nuclei.
01
Jan
Modelling and analysis of cell survival data from hadron therapy
Honours projects: Study honours in physics and help improve the accuracy of cancer treatment planning.
01
Jan
Honours projects: Projects in this area study lattice gauge theory by developing numerical simulations on high performance computers.
01
Jan
Honours projects: Developing innovative techniques which serve to guide and interpret research at international experimental facilities.
01
Jan
Theoretical High Energy Physics
Honours projects: Available projects include supersymmetry (SUSY), GUTs, dark matter, extra-dimensional models, composite Higgs models, and scale invariant theories.
01
Jan
High-energy Physics Phenomenology
Honours projects: Projects which combine experimental, computational and theoretical physics.
01
Jan
Honours projects: Study with the Quantum Technologies Theory Group which specialise in applying quantum mechanics to emerging and future technologies.
01
Jan
Honours projects: Projects exploring the change of the properties of protons and neutrons and the impact of this on the dense matter and properties of neutron stars.
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Geophysics
more...01
Sep
Nanosatellites and drone geophysics: new technologies for Earth, Moon and Mars
Honours project: Be part of the exciting space exploration program, connecting remote networks of geophysical sensors to satellites.
01
Sep
Compositional controls on physical properties: new constraints from laboratory measurements
Honours projects: Improve predictive models of density and thermal conductivity to improve geophysical models by making new lab measurements.
01
Sep
The Impact of Fluid Flow on Crustal Radioactivity: Pushing heat around during tectonic reworking
Honours project: Head into the field to analyse natural radioactivity of fluid-altered crust.
01
Sep
Predicting concentration-gradient-driven fluid flow in 2D membranes
Honours project: Chemistry honours opportunities that aim to predict concentration-gradient-driven fluid flow in two-dimensional (2D) membranes.
01
Sep
Honours projects: Fly across remote Australia in a helicopter, for one of the world's biggest geophysical science projects.
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Related projects
more...01
Sep
Reduced dimensionality representations of soft matter
Honours project: Use methods from statistical mechanics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to develop algorithms to automate the dimensionality reduction process.
01
Sep
Designing organic semiconductor interfaces for advanced flexible electronics
Honours project: Develop a more predictive approach to controlling organic electronic device performance, in particular by exploiting molecular anisotropy to manipulate the structure of organic semiconductor interfaces.
01
Sep
Predicting concentration-gradient-driven fluid flow in 2D membranes
Honours project: Chemistry honours opportunities that aim to predict concentration-gradient-driven fluid flow in two-dimensional (2D) membranes.
01
Jan
Modelling the Aussie Rules Football Kick
Honours project: This project will look at the function of a human leg when kicking an Australian Rules Football. Motion capture data is available, and will be used in conjunction with OpenSim, an open source musculoskeletal model and dynamical simulator.