The Discipline of Applied Physics is one of the 4 teaching areas in the Faculty of Science. Applied Physics is also one of the original "Science Departments " established at Curtin in 1966 (then the Western Australian Institute of Technology). The long-term success of the Discipline is reflected in the 'birth' and growth of the other areas within and outside Applied Physics (e.g. Exploration Geophysics, Medical Imaging) and the internationally renowned Curtin Science and Mathematics Education Centre, by staff from the original Physics Department.

The Discipline has approximately 100 undergraduate students, and 30 higher-degree-by research students (MSc and PhD). As one of the University's principal service teaching providers the Discipline also teaches physics units to approximately 300 other students across the Divisions of Engineering, Science & Computing and Health Science. Students from all areas of the University are involved through a popular program of Physics Elective units that are on offer.