| The Undergraduate BSc Degree
For students who wish to pursue a career in Physics, the usual route is to first obtain a three year BSc in Physics (Major). Each of the three one-year courses build on what was covered during the previous year(s). In the case of the first year course, the basic fundamental concepts of physics are dealt with, focusing on various branches of classical physics, like Classical Mechanics, Electromagnetism, Thermodynamics, Optics and Wave Mechanics. The second and third year courses build up on these introductory topics and cover material such as Relativity, Quantum Mechanics and Statistical Physics. With such a background, students can pursue more specialised fields of contemporary physics, such as Nuclear, Atomic and Condensed Matter Physics amongst others. See the section on Postgraduate Studies at Wits for information about the Honours, Masters and PhD courses offered at Wits.. Physics Major Courses The Physics (Major) course, which is specifically intended for students who wish to take up physics as a career, is comprised of components which include formal lectures, laboratory sessions, tutorials, assignments and demonstrations which are designed to introduce the material from various approaches, each in turn complementing the others. For instance, tutorials are designed to develop analytical skills, where students get to spend quality time with their course material, whilst the laboratory sessions provide an opportunity for them to see physics in action. This is where students are granted the opportunity to test the fundamental theories which have been taught during formal lecture sessions. Physics (Major) Course Structure Physics I (Major) (PHYS100) Classical Mechanics
Mechanical Properties of Matter
Electricity and Magnetism
Waves and Optics Physics II (Major) (PHYS200) Thermal Physics
Modern Physics
Classical Mechanics
Electrodynamics Physics III (Major) (PHYS300) Quantum Mechanics
Thermal and Statistical Physics
Solid State Physics
Nuclear Physics
The third year courses are broken up into the following components: Nuclear and Solid State Physics III (PHYS300A)
Qualifying Course Quantum Mechanics III PART A (PHYS300B)
Qualifying Course Quantum Mechanics III PART B (PHYS300C)
Qualifying Course Statistical Physics III (PHYS300D)
Qualifying Course Auxiliary Courses The School of Physics hosts a number of auxiliary courses, designed either for students who wish to pursue Physics as a career, but have not qualified to enter the Major stream through the usual channels, or for students who wish to take Physics as an undergraduate subject, but do not intend to continue studying the subject into the second or third year. Breakdown of Auxiliary Course Components Physical Sciences IA (PHYS122)
Qualifying course for BSc (Special Curriculum)
Various properties of matter, such as mechanical, electrical, optical and thermal, are dealt with from a physical and chemical perspective. During the final quarter of the year, specific topics, such as modern physics and chemical reactions, will be covered. Emphasis will be given to the unified nature of experimentation in the physical sciences, in the laboratory course. Physics IB(X) PHYS123
Qualifying course for BSc (Special Curriculum)
As a continuation to Physical Sciences IA, this course is designed for those students who wish to enter the Second Year Major steam, i.e.:Physics II Major. Topics such as Mechanics, Hydrostatics, Wave Motion, Electromagnetism as well as introductory courses in modern physics will be covered. These topics are integrated with a practical component, thus cultivating the students scientific skills as the course progresses. Laboratory work as well as relevant mathematical topics are required to be completed, bringing the student on par with the Physics I Major course, thus allowing the student to proceed with the Second Year Major course. Physics IB PHYS124
Qualifying course for BSc (Special Curriculum)
This course follows on from Physical Sciences IA and is designed for those students who are allowed to proceed to a second qualifying course, Physics (Auxiliary) (PHYS 210). Similar topics as those for Physics IB(X) will be covered (see above). Physics I PHYS125
Qualifying course for BSc (Special Curriculum)
This is a subsequent course of Physical Sciences IA, and has the same course content as that for Physics I Major (PHYS100). It is thus intended for those who have qualified for PHYS100. The course content includes: Auxiliary Physics IA (PHYSA17) Dimensional Analysis
Vectors
Classical Mechanics
Elasticity
Fluids
Gases
Thermal Physics
Auxiliary Physics IB (PHYSA18) Electricity and Magnetism
Electromagnetic Induction
Alternating Current Circuits
Physical Optics
Introduction to Quantum theory
Except by special permission of the Head of Department, a student is required to have attended the PHYSA17 topic, as well as its associated experimental component before proceeding to PHYSA18 Physics I Auxiliary (PHYS126)
Physical Sciences IA is again a prerequisite for this course and is designed for those who have qualified for Physics I (Auxiliary). Essentially, the course content is identical to that of the Physics I Auxiliary Course (PHYS110), and deals with: Auxiliary Physics IA (PHYSA19) Dimensional Analysis and Scaling
Vectors
Classical Mechanics
Elasticity
Fluids and Gases
Thermal Physics
Auxiliary Physics IB (PHYSA20) Waves and Sound
Electricity and Magnetism
Geometrical and Physical Objects
Polarisation
Atomic and Nuclear Physics
Except by special permission of the Head of Department, a student is required to have attended the PHYSA19 topic, as well as its associated experimental component before proceeding to PHYSA20 Physics I (Auxiliary) (PHYS110)
First Qualifying Course
Auxiliary Physics IA (PHYSA15) Dimensional Analysis and Scaling
Vectors
Classical Mechanics
Elasticity
Fluids and Gases
Thermal Physics
Auxiliary Physics IB (PHYSA16) Waves and Sound
Electricity and Magnetism
Geometrical and Physical Objects
Polarisation
Atomic and Nuclear Physics
Physics II (Auxiliary)
Second Qualifying Course Auxiliary Physics IIA (PHYSB11) Waves
Introduction to Quantum and Atomic Physics
Solid-state Physics
Thermal Physics
Auxiliary Physics IIB (PHYSB13) Introduction to Electronics
Nuclear Physics
Special Relativity
Elementary Particles
History of Physics
Electronics Laboratory
Experimental or Computer-based Project
Experimental Auxiliary Physics (PHYSB61) Intermediate-level set experiments
Physics IIA (Auxiliary) (PHYS210A)
Qualifying Course Waves
Introduction to Atomic and Quantum Physics
Solid-state Physics
Thermal Physics | 
