BSc Physics

Are you curious about how Nature works? Do you aspire to apply your classroom learning to real-world scientific challenges and contribute to technological advancements? If so, come and join us at CityU. Our undergraduate programme offers rigorous training in fundamental physics and its applications across various specialized fields such as medical physics, soft matter and biophysics, financial engineering, materials science and optics. In addition to acquiring core physics knowledge, you will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will benefit you throughout your life. You will also have the opportunity to engage in a range of activities such as overseas exchanges, internships, and research attachment in one of our professor’s research groups to enhance your learning experiences beyond the classroom. For students with excellent academic performance, you can also apply for the Joint bachelor’s degree programme between CityU and Columbia University (New York) where you will earn two degrees - a BSc degree from CityU and a BA degree from Columbia U - upon completing all the course requirements. Last but not least, you will not be alone on your study journey with us. You will be assigned a professor from our department as your academic advisor and paired with a senior student mentor who can share with you his/her university life experience and provide support in your studies.

(For First Year entry)

For details of the programme’s curriculum structure, please visit the ‘Undergraduate Catalogue’.

Building on the excellent tradition of the physics faculty in the former Department of Physics and Materials Science, the Department of Physics aspires to become a leading physics department in the Asia-Pacific Region. Our faculty members have received international recognition, including fellowships from prestigious societies such as the American Physical Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Materials Research Society.

Students pursuing the BSc Physics major are taught fundamental physics topics, and various specialized physics-related disciplines such as biophysics, medical physics, financial engineering, optics, and material science/solid-state physics, paving their way to diversified career paths in the medical and health care, engineering, education, commercial and industrial sectors or postgraduate studies. Students may take part in the Department’s research attachment scheme, which gives them early exposure to discovery and innovation. Students who meet certain requirements can apply for admission to the Joint Bachelor’s Degree Program between City University of Hong Kong and Columbia University in the US (http://gs.columbia.edu/cityu-hk/) or Undergraduate plus Taught Postgraduate Degree Programme (BSc Physics + MSc Applied Physics) (https://www.cityu.edu.hk/phy/ug-plus-tpg).

物理學學士學位課程，涵蓋基礎物理學及應用物理相關專題，包括生物物理、醫學物理、金融工程、光學、和材料科學 / 固態物理，，為學生開拓多元化的就業前境。畢業生可應聘到醫院、工程界、科技公司、教育界、工商界等不同機構工作，亦可選擇繼續升學深造。本學系設有研究實習計劃，讓學生及早接觸科學探索，啟發創新思維。同時，修讀本課程並符合指定條件的學生，均可申請報讀香港城市大學－美國哥倫比亞大學雙聯學士學位課程 (http://gs.columbia.edu/cityu-hk/) 或 物理學理學士及應用物理學理學項士學位課程 (https://www.cityu.edu.hk/phy/ug-plus-tpg)。​

We equip our students with knowledge and critical thinking skills that will enable them to tackle difficult problems throughout their careers. The curriculum teaches not only foundational courses in physics, but also technology-driven courses such as computer modelling and advanced instrumentation. It enables students to acquire knowledge and skills from the following areas: Biophysics, Medical Physics, Financial Engineering, Optics, and Material Science/Solid-state Physics. Graduates are well equipped not only for developing a diverse range of professional careers but also for pursuing postgraduate studies.

Physics graduates enjoy a diverse range of challenging careers from medical physicists, financial engineers, data scientists to professionals in STEM education, scientific research and technological development. Graduates may also develop their careers in the commercial sector or take up public sector roles in organisations such as the Hong Kong Observatory, the Environmental Protection Department and the Hospital Authority.

Our physics major also prepares students for further studies in fundamental physics, biophysics, medical physics, quantum physics, computational physics, materials engineering and other related fields.

Nate YEUNG Kin Ho (FX Trader, Deutche Bank)
Dr Monica KAN Wai Kwan (Senior Physicist & Department Manager, Department of Clinical Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital)

Department of Physics Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships

Undergraduate students who are admitted to the Bachelor of Science in Physics programme through the JUPAS route with outstanding academic performance will be automatically considered for the scholarships.  For details, please click here.

The College of Science and the Department offer work placement opportunities through different internship schemes that provide students with full-time job attachments to companies in Hong Kong, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area and Overseas. Through such placements, students will:

• gain solid experience in a real-world work environment;
• develop problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills;
• learn the right attitudes towards work and professionalism; and
• broaden their experience and enhance their employability.

For details, please visit the College’s website on Internship Schemes.

To broaden students’ exposures beyond the classroom and enrich their international experience, the Department, College and University offer a wide range of credit-bearing exchange programmes with around 350 partner universities over the world, including Australia, Canada, Europe, the US and the Asia-Pacific region.

For details, please visit the University’s outbound exchange programme website.

Joint Bachelor’s Degree Program between City University of Hong Kong and Columbia University: Students who meet certain requirements can apply for admission to this Joint Bachelor’s Degree Program (http://gs.columbia.edu/cityu-hk/).

Research Attachment Scheme: Through this scheme, students can gain additional insights into the fascinating world of physics and related disciplines and equip themselves for undertaking final year projects or further studies.  

State-of-the-art Equipment and Facilities: The dilution refrigerator in our low-temperature labs, a HK$4-million piece of equipment, can generate temperatures much lower than deep space, enabling our students and researchers to observe quantum mechanical effects. Students can also access the China Spallation Neutron Source at Dongguang, one of only four pulsed spallation neutron sources in the world.

Undergraduate plus Taught Postgraduate Degree Programme​: Elite students can apply for the programme where they can benefit from advanced physics courses normally taught at the postgraduate level (https://www.cityu.edu.hk/phy/ug-plus-tpg).

Some outstanding students choose to join research teams or further their studies in prestigious universities such as Columbia University and Northwestern University in the US, Oxford and Cambridge in the UK.

Prof. S T Chu and his collaborators have achieved a new world record of the fastest internet data speed by using a piece of equipment known as a ‘micro-comb’. Their research findings were published in the prestigious scientific journal Nature Communications, and featured on BBC news. It was also widely reported by the local media. 

Department of Physics 
College of Science 
CityU Talents Programe 
Undergraduate Catalogue