About the Department of Physics
Physics explores the fundamental laws of nature while transforming the knowledge gained into advanced technologies that shape societies.
Ever wondered what holds the universe together, how stars shine, or how new technologies emerge to shape the future? At Te Kura Mātai Ahupūngao, the Department of Physics at the University of Auckland, we offer a wide range of courses from foundational physics to cutting-edge fields such as quantum mechanics, laser physics, medical imaging, nanomaterials, astronomy, and environmental physics.
As our student, you will develop an understanding of the fundamental laws governing nature, learn powerful mathematical and analytical problem-solving skills, and become familiar with modern techniques in data analysis, laboratory experimentation, and computation. Our graduates are expert problem-solvers, equipped to tackle complex challenges across a wide range of industries, with diverse employment opportunities including research, data science, software development, education, materials design, and climate modelling.
By providing you with rich variety of transferrable skills attractive for many employers, a physics degree is ideally positioned to help you navigate our rapidly changing world, while simultaneously giving you the opportunity to push the frontiers of human knowledge.
Our staff are comprised of award-winning teachers and researchers who are world-leading across a wide range of topics. We work towards unveiling the laws of nature across scales – from the very smallest fundamental particles up to the universe itself – and our research programme ranges from fundamental to applied physics. We explore how black holes are formed by massive stars, how matter behaves at ultracold temperatures, how individual particles of light behave, how atmospheric processes drive our climate, and how quantum physics informs the emergence of new materials and material properties.
Our staff also leverage their knowledge of physics to develop new technological applications, creating devices for New Zealand’s space industry, using advanced (nano)materials to improve industrial processes, building instruments to diagnose illnesses in living tissue and developing powerful new laser technologies. From some of these, our entrepreneurial staff have created a string of thriving spinout companies.
We are happy to hear from prospective students so please get in touch if you have any questions about studying here or our research programme.
Head of Department
Te Kura Mātai Ahupūngao | The Department of Physics