Skip to main content Skip to navigation

Physics with Business Studies

These course handbooks describe the programme of the 3 year BSc degree in Physics and Business Studies. They should be read in conjunction with the general information that is relevant to all programmes based in the Physics Department. Any query concerning your degree course should be directed to your personal tutor, or the Senior Tutor.

Introduction

The degree is designed for students who enjoy physics but wish also to widen their studies in the direction of business, with a view to possible employment in management areas of science-based industries.

During the first two years of the degree, students are based in the Physics department. Students take the core physics courses and in the second year an introductory course on business. They also often take more outside options than physics students including perhaps a foreign language course. In the third year students transfer to the Business School and take business studies courses.

Students initially registered for this programme may transfer to the physics degree programme at the end of either the first or second year. If you decide you would like to follow the four-year MPhys programme in Physics then you must transfer before the end of the third term of the first year.

Aims

Our aims for the Physics and Business Studies degree are:

  • To provide a stimulating education in Physics and Business Studies
  • To provide a learning environment which helps students to achieve their full academic potential
  • To help students develop intellectual and general transferable skills
  • To leave students well-prepared for the next step in their professional lives

Objectives

When you graduate, you should

  • Have developed your appreciation and understanding of the fundamental principles of physics and of how these can explain physical phenomena.
  • Have obtained a working knowledge of basic mathematical techniques.
  • Have developed your ability to carry out experimental investigations and to report the results appropriately.
  • Have developed your analytical, problem-solving, self-study, communication and independent working skills. You will also have had opportunities to develop organisational, modern language and other skills.
  • Have a good understanding of a range of topics in business studies.
The Intercalated Year

Students who wish to spend some time gaining experience abroad, or in UK industry/research, can register for the Intercalated Year Scheme in which you spend your third year away from Warwick and take a total of four years to complete your degree programme.

The year will be spent in supervised research placement, either in Industry, Commerce, a Research Institute, a Higher Education Research Laboratory, or in the case of a year abroad could alternatively involve attending modules at an overseas university. This will give you valuable experience before continuing with the third year of the BSc Physics degree, and the words with intercalated year' will appear on your degree certificate. You must submit a satisfactory report of the intercalated year on your return to the Department, failing which you will revert to the Physics BSc degree course. The report will not, however, contribute to final degree credit.

In general, if you are interested in following this scheme, please see read the Study Abroad webpages. It will be necessary for you to make your own arrangements and submit an outline proposal to the Physics Department for approval. If we consider that the proposed programme abroad meets our requirements, then permission for an intercalated year will be granted. If you are thinking about this possibility, please discuss this with your tutor in the first instance.