History of variational principles in physics involves integrals over an interval of time and (for fields) extended region of space. Moreover, in the usual formulation of classical action principles, the initial and final states of the system are fixed, e.g., In particular, the fixing of the "final" state appears to give the action principle a teleological character which has been controversial historically. This apparent teleology is eliminated in the quantum mechanical version of the action principle. History of variational principles in physics A variational principle in physics is an alternative method for determining the state or dynamics of a physical system, by identifying it as an
Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine 1986. The ACPSEM facilitates training and professional accreditation for practising medical physicists in Australia and New Zealand. This includes significant support for the TEAP training program for medical physics trainees. The ACPSEM also promotes education and research into the biomedical applications of physics, mathematics, engineering and computing. The ACPSEM has an official scientific journal, Australasian Physical & Engineering Sciences in Medicine, which is published 4 times a year. The ACPSEM holds an annual Engineering and Physical Sciences in Medicine conference, and has done every year since 1961. The ACPSEM is governed by an elected board known as the ACPSEM Council,