Click below for admissions information for applicants of various qualifications:
The Enrichment Stream in Theoretical Physics is designed for students who have a good foundation in secondary school physics and mathematics. The core part of the curriculum, while overlapping much with that of the physics major programme, has additional emphasis on early small-group discussion classes with an academic advisor and on research component. The pool of electives is defined by a stronger flavour towards courses in theoretical physics and mathematics. Students would have better opportunities to engage in research at an earlier stage and build up their research capabilities gradually. The Stream is meant to help students explore their research potential and bridge the gap from undergraduate physics to postgraduate studies at the master’s or doctoral level. Depending on the students’ interests and career plans, students have the option to declare an additional stream by completing stream-specific electives from: (i) Astrophysics and Particle Physics, (ii) Computational and Data Physics, or (iii) Quantum Science and Technology.
Learning in Physics at CUHK is further supported by a number of special academic and extracurricular enhancement programmes. These programmes include mentoring, summer research in the department, research exchanges with overseas and mainland universities, study tours, and internships at the Hong Kong Observatory, the Hong Kong Space Museum, secondary schools and various companies. The Department of Physics also offers higher degree programmes leading to MSc, MPhil and PhD degrees, with postgraduate courses open to undergraduate students. Further information can be found in the physics department webpage.
Students may join CU Physics via Broad-based Admission Scheme under Faculty of Science. Admitted students will go through a common set of courses - the Faculty Package, and may declare Physics programme as major by following Major Declaration Procedure.
Physics is the study of the basic regularities behind the various complex phenomena in the physical world. Its scope ranges from the tiniest phenomena, like quarks in a proton, to the largest, like the universe. Building upon a tradition of excellence in teaching and research, the Physics curriculum aims to provide students with a good grasp of the fundamentals of physics, a range of analytical, experimental, numerical, research, communication and other generic skills, and an appreciation and understanding of the applications of physics in modern society.
The core of the Physics curriculum builds a solid foundation. It consists of a calculus-based introductory physics series and courses in classical mechanics, electromagnetic theory, thermal and statistical physics, quantum mechanics and its relevance to the understanding of the behavior and structure of matter at various levels, quantitative methods, experimental physics, student-centred learning, seminars, and capstone courses including projects. In addition, the programme offers a full range of elective courses, among which are courses in computational physics and simulations, astrophysics, meteorology, optics, nanoscience and technology, instrumentation, relativity, nuclear and particle physics, solid state physics, electronics and advanced courses that enrich the fundamental core courses, projects, and postgraduate courses. Depending on the student’s interests and career plans, they may use the elective courses to focus on the following Streams: (i) Astrophysics and Particle Physics, (ii) Computational and Data Physics, or (iii) Quantum Science and Technology.
Learning in Physics at CUHK is further supported by a number of special academic and extracurricular enhancement programmes. These programmes include mentoring, summer research in the department, research exchanges with overseas and mainland universities, study tours, and internships at the Hong Kong Observatory, the Hong Kong Space Museum, secondary schools and various companies. The Department of Physics also offers higher degree programmes leading to MSc, MPhil and PhD degrees. Further information can be found in the physics department webpage.
University Appointments Service's statistics in recent years indicate that around 56% of Physics graduates continue to pursue higher academic degrees. Among those graduates who are in employment, 61% work in the industry and commerce sectors, benefiting from their training in analytical perception and command of technical knowledge; 32% serve in education institutes; 4% join the Government, and the remainder enter the social and public service and other sectors. In recent years the majority of our Physics graduates and MPhil graduates who continued to pursue higher degrees abroad have been admitted into the graduate schools of distinguished universities, including University of California at Berkeley, University of California at Santa Barbara, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, University of Maryland, Northwestern University, University of Colorado, University of California at San Diego, California Institute of Technology, University of Chicago, University of Michigan, John Hopkins University, University of Cambridge, Princeton University, University of Pittsburgh, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of Toronto, where they have been awarded financial supports in the form of teaching assistantships and scholarships. Many of our alumni hold senior posts in renowned academic and research institutes worldwide, while many more others occupy prominent positions in various sectors in society.
