Research areas in physics

The School of Physics at UNSW has nine main areas of research expertise: astrophysics, acoustics, biophysics, computational physics and big data, condensed matter physics and quantum devices, experimental and observational physics, fundamental physics, theoretical physics, and physics education research.

Acoustics

Acoustics research at UNSW focuses on the interaction between the voice, musical instruments and the instrument player. Discover more.

Astrophysics

Astrophysics has research areas in Antarctic Astronomy, Asteroseismology, Cosmology, Exoplanetary Science, Galactic Archaeology and Galaxy Evolution. Learn more.

Biophysics

Biophysics covers a diverse range of topics examining the physics of life. View our research areas.

Computational physics and big data

Problems in physics require high performance computing and the ability to process large datasets. This leads to new computational techniques. Find out more.

Condensed matter physics and quantum devices

Research in CMP focuses on the electrical, magnetic and thermal properties of advance nanoscale materials. View our research projects.

Experimental and observational physics

Every theory or model in physics needs to be verified or falsified by experimentation or observation. Find out more.

Fundamental physics

Fundamental Physics refers to physics at or below the atomic scale. View our current research topics.

Physics education research (PER)

View our PER projects and areas of interest which focus on learning in a university setting, including effective teaching methods.

Theoretical physics

Theoretical Physics covers a broad range of research areas and features collaborations with research groups and leading theorists from around the world. Learn more about our research.

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