UCAS Codes: F300 BSc/PhyS, F303 MPhys/Phy

Introduction
Physics aims to observe and explain the behaviour of the physical universe. In particular, physics looks for basic laws, which account for and predict what can be observed. Part of the appeal of the subject is that the physical world is governed by remarkably few such laws and that these apply everywhere and to everything.

The structure of the courses reflects the structure of the subject. All students take the core modules and choose further modules from the lists of options. The core modules introduce the fundamental principles, while the optional modules explore their applications in the different areas of physics including: astrophysics, the properties of matter, particle physics and atmospheric physics. The option scheme also allows a proportion of modules to be taken from outside of physics. We encourage students not only to consider modules related to physics, for example in computing, but also modules in philosophy and modern languages.

The material covered in the individual modules in each year can be found by following the links to the left.

YEAR ONE

In the first year, all students take the modules in the Core list. To give you an idea about the way the degree course is structured in the first year,  the number in brackets after each module title indicates the number of lectures you will attend  e.g. (15L) indicates a 15-lecture module.

Core: Physics Foundations (15L), Electricity and Magnetism (30L), Quantum Phenomena (15L), Classical Mechanics and Relativity (30L), Waves (15L), Thermal Physics I (15L), Mathematics for Scientists (60L), Key Skills

The Key Skills module involves working in the First Year Laboratory as well as computing and presentational work and is continuously assessed.

Students choose at least one further module from:

Options:  Introduction to Particle Physics (15L); Introduction to Astronomy (15L).

YEAR TWO 

In the second year, everyone takes the following Core modules:

Core: Electromagnetic Theory and Optics; Quantum Mechanics and its Applications; Thermal Physics II; Mathematical Methods for Physicists; Key Skills (including Physics Laboratory)

Students choose further modules from the Physics and Outside options lists:

Physics Options:  Stars; Geophysics; Physics of Fluids; Hamiltonian Mechanics; C Programming; Galaxies; Global Warming; Physics of Electrical Power Generation.

Outside Options: a Modern Foreign Language (French, German, Italian, Spanish and Russian are currently offered); Introduction to Business Studies. Modules given by Arts or Social Sciences departments may also be taken as options by mutual agreement.

YEAR THREE BSc

Year Three differs for students opting for the BSc (three year) or MPhys (four year). The third year of the BSc course is structured as follows:

Core: Research project worth up to 25% of the year's credit; Communicating Science.

Options: Students choose around 10 modules from the following list. The modules are grouped according to subject area. Although there is no formal requirement to select a number of modules from any one group, students often tend to concentrate on two or three areas of particular interest to them. The subject areas (in bold) and available modules (non-bold) are:

Astrophysics: Astrophysics, Cosmology

Classical Physics: Electrodynamics, Plasma Electrodynamics, Non-linearity and Chaos, Statistical Physics, Fluid Dynamics

Quantum Phenomena Quantum Physics of Atoms, Nuclei and Particle Physics, Electrons in Solids, Scattering and Spectroscopy

Interdisciplinary: The Weather and the Environment, Crystal Physics, Scientific Programming, Physics in Medicine, Optoelectronics, Magnetic Resonance

Outside Options : Education and Learning, Business Studies, Scientific Method (a module taught by the Philosophy Department), a modern  foreign language.

THE FOUR-YEAR DEGREE COURSE (MPhys)

Students can opt for the four-year version of the degree. This has been designed primarily for students who are thinking of a career which makes substantial use of their knowledge of Physics. The first two years are the same as for the BSc.

YEAR THREE MPhys

Core: Quantum Physics of Atoms, Crystal Physics, Electrodynamics, Mathematical Methods, Physics Group Project, Physics Laboratory.
Options: Students choose at least 6 modules from the remaining Physics options in the BSc list above.

YEAR FOUR MPhys 

Core: Research project worth up to 25% of the year's credit.
Students choose around 12 modules from the groups of modules listed below with at least eight being Physics modules.

Astrophysics: Exo-Planets, High-energy Astrophysics

Classical Physics: Relativistic Electrodynamics, Fractals, General Relativity, Solar Magnetohydrodynamics, Physics of Fusion Power.

Computing: High-performance Computing in Physics

Condensed Matter: Functional Properties of Materials, Structure and Dynamics of Solids

Quantum Theory & Particles: Quantum Theory of Interacting Particles, Relativistic Quantum Mechanics, Gauge Theories for Particle Physics, Neutrino Physics, The Standard Model of Particle Physics

Outside Options There is no formal list of outside options. However, students can follow almost any module from outside the Department provided that the timetable permit this.