Physics University of Pretoria

Overview

Physicists in the Department of Physics are trained in a wide range of physics sub-disciplines, such as astronomy, biophysics, theoretical physics, material science and physics education. Materials are studied for nuclear applications and their properties investigated during irradiation. Materials for solar cells and opto-electronics equipment, as well as carbon-based magnetic systems, are also investigated. Furthermore, there are active studies in biophysics, astronomy, mathematical physics, high-energy theory, quantum theory (resonances and information theory), solid-state physics, incorporating computational physics, as well as the effect of symmetries. The Department has a high international standing, with many international collaborators.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Physics programme from University of Pretoria could be employed as university academics, whose duties include lecturing, research and the supervision of postgraduate students, researchers in national laboratories such as the Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa (NECSA), the South African Astronomical Observatory or iThemba LABS (Laboratory for Accelerator-based Sciences), researchers in industry, for example at the CSIR or Element Six, science advisors for non-governmental organisations, industry or government, radiation scientists, medical scientists and biophysicists, atmospheric scientists and climatologists, developers of renewable energy sources, geophysicists, innovators and entrepreneurs, and computational scientists. International collaboration also takes place with experts from abroad.