Honours degree programmes
The formal statements of required modules for different programmes are in the University’s Module catalogue and Programme Requirements, and are also reflected in the compulsory and choice modules seen in the online advising system. This section is intended as a brief informal guide only, and should not conflict with the programme requirements.
In the following tables we list the compulsory modules for each programme. Students select additional modules, normally in physics/astrophysics or in their joint degree subject. Honours BSc degrees require a minimum of 240 credits to be gained during the two-year honours programme, of which at least 210 credits must be at 3000 and 4000 level and at least 90 credits must be at 4000 level. MPhys and MSci degrees require a minimum of 360 credits to be gained during the three-year honours programme, of which at least 330 credits must be at 3000, 4000 and 5000 level and at least 120 credits must be at 5000 level.
-
Almost all students will take these core modules.
PH3061 Quantum Mechanics 1 PH3062 Quantum Mechanics 2 PH3081 Mathematics for Physicists Part of PH3082 for joint degree with Chemistry PH3007 Electromagnetism PH3012 Thermal and Statistical Physics PH3014 Transferable Skills for Physicists Most joint degree students cover some of this in PH4040, Chem/Phys cover some in PH4043 PH4041 Atomic, Nuclear and Particle Physics For most joint degrees the nuclear and particle physics section is taken as part of PH4040 The other modules taken will depend on the choice of degree programme and on student choice amongst optional modules.
The formal statement for required modules is in the University’s Module catalogue and Programme Requirements, and is also reflected in the compulsory and choice modules seen in the Online Advising System.
-
Single Honours Degrees, Third Year, Junior Honours
Semester 1 Semester 2 All Physics BSc & MPhys Th Phys MPhys Astro BSc & MPhys Choice # PH3101 Physics Lab 1 PH4038 Lagr & Ham Dyn AS3013 Comp. Astro PH3061 Quantum Mech 1 PH3007 Electromagnetism PH3080 Progr for Physicists PH3012 Thermal and Statistical Physics PH3081 Maths for Physicists PH3062 Quantum Mechanics 2 PH3014 Transferable Skills for Physicists # AS4010 Extragalactic Astronomy for Astronomers, PH3074 Electronics for MPhys Physics, and MT3501 Linear Mathematics II for MPhys Theoretical Physics.
BSc Single Honours, Fourth Year, Senior Honours
Semester 1 Semester 2 Physics Astrophysics Physics Astrophysics PH4041 Atomic, Nuclear, & Particle Physics Physics Project Astro Project Intro Cond Matt Phys Neb and Stars 1 * Physics Lab 2 Obs Astro * Choice Grav & Accretion * Choice Extragalactic Astro # Choice Neb and Stars 2 * , Fluids * * BSc Astronomers take at least two of Obs Astro, Nebulae and Stars 1 and 2, Grav & Accretion Physics, and Fluids; this can leave choice of other modules.
# Normally already taken in JH and, if so, a choice here.
MPhys Single Honours, Fourth Year, Senior Honours
Semester 1 Semester 2 Physics Th Physics Astrophysics Physics Th Physics Astrophysics PH4041 Atomic, Nuclear, & Particle Physics L & H Dyn Adv QM L & H Dyn Intro Cond Matter Phys Neb & Stars 1 Choice Choice Grav & Accr * Phys Lab 2 Special Rel Obs Astro * Choice Choice Neb & Stars 2 Electronics #
or choiceLin. Maths #
or choiceExtragal #
or choiceChoice Choice Choice inc Fluids * * MPhys Astronomers take at least two of AS4025 Observational Astrophysics, AS4015 Gravitational & Accretion Physics, and PH4031 Fluids.
# Normally already taken in JH and, if done so, there is a choice here.
The final year (5000 level) of the MPhys programmes has a compulsory major project (full time for Semester 2), plus a mix of compulsory and optional modules dependent on the degree programme being taken.
-
BSc Joint Honours Philosophy and Physics
Third Year, Junior Honours
Semester 1 Semester 2 PH3061 Quantum Mechanics One 10 PH3007 Electromagnetism 15 PH3080 Programming for Physicists 10 PH3062 Quantum Mechanics Two 10 PH3081 Mathematics for Physicists 15 Philosophy choice 30 PY3100 (Reading Philosophy 1) 30 Fourth Year, Senior Honours – if with Physics project
PH4040 Nuclear & Particle Physics with Advanced Skills 15 PH3012 Thermal and Statistical Physics 15 Something not Phil (no 15 credit modules), eg a physics module 15 Something not Phil (no 15 credit modules), eg a physics module 15 Philosophy choice 30 PH4111 Physics Project 30 Over two years is 90 Phil, 120 compulsory Phys, 30 something other than Phil.
Fourth Year, Senior Honours – if with Philosophy project
PH4040 Nuclear & Particle Physics with Advanced Skills 15 PH3012 Thermal and Statistical Physics 15 Physics choice 15 Something not Philosophy (no 15 credit modules) 15 30 Philosophy or 2 x 15 credits Physics or other Philosphy Project 30 Over two years is at least 90 credits Phil, 120 possible; 90 compulsory Phys, 30 something other than Phil (perhaps most likely physics).
-
MSci Joint Honours Chemistry and Physics
JH is entirely Chemistry modules. SH is as follows.
Semester 1 Semester 2 PH3061 Quantum Mechanics One 10 PH3007 Electromagnetism 15 PH3082 Maths for Chem/Phys 20 PH3012 Thermal and Statistical Physics 15 PH4039 Intro to Condensed Matter Phys 15 PH3062 Quantum Mechanics Two 10 PH4041 Atomic, Nucl & Part Phys 15 PH4043 Studies in Chem & Phys 5 PH3101 Physics Lab 1 15 OR
PH4044 Adv Cond Matt Phys 15The final year (5000 level) of the MSci programme has a mix of CH and PH modules, including a choice of a physics or a chemistry project.
-
These joint degree programmes have a restricted choice of physics modules in order to cover the core of physics. The choice within the mathematics half is wide. We illustrate some possible pathways; others may be possible. Please note that PH3007 Electromagnetism should be taken in JH as it is a pre-requisite for Special Relativity and Fields. There are some topics that may be studied in either School, such as Fluids.
Third year, Junior Honours Physics/Theoretical Physics and (Pure) Mathematics
Semester 1 Semester 2 BSc Maths/Phys MPhys Maths/TP BSc Maths/Phys MPhys Maths/TP Quantum Mech 1 Quantum Mech 1 Quantum Mech 2 Quantum Mech 2 Progr for Phys Progr for Phys Electromagnetism Electromagnetism Maths for Phys Maths for Phys MT Choice Lagr & Ham Dynamics MT Choice Linear Maths II Rings and Fields Rings and Fields Real Analysis Real Analysis Fourth year, Senior Honours Physics/Theoretical Physics and (Pure) Mathematics
Semester 1 Semester 2 BSc Maths/Phys MPhys Maths/TP BSc Maths/Phys MPhys Maths/TP Nucl & Part Phys with Adv Skills 15 Nucl & Part Phys with Adv Skills 15 Project – Maths 15 or Physics 30 Advanced QM * 15 (if Complex An not taken) Choice inc Spec Rel, Intro Cond Matt Ph, MT Choice 15 Choice inc Spec Rel, Intro Cond Matt Ph, MT Choice 15 Thermal & Stat Physics 15 Thermal & Stat Physics 15 MT Choice 15 MT Choice 15 Choice 15 Choice 15 MT Choice 15 MT Choice 15 Choice 15 / 0 Choice 15 Third year, Junior Honours Physics/Theoretical Physics and (Applied) Mathematics
Semester 1 Semester 2 BSc Maths/Phys MPhys Maths/TP BSc Maths/Phys MPhys Maths/TP Quantum Mech 1 Quantum Mech 1 Quantum Mech 2 Quantum Mech 2 Progr for Phys Progr for Phys Electromagnetism Electromagnetism Maths for Phys Maths for Phys MT Choice Lagr & Ham Dynamics Diff Eqns Diff Eqns MT Choice MT Choice MT Choice Linear Maths II Fourth year, Senior Honours Physics/Theoretical Physics and (Applied) Mathematics
Semester 1 Semester 2 BSc Maths/Phys MPhys Maths/TP BSc Maths/Phys MPhys Maths/TP Nucl & Part Phys with Adv Skills 15 Nucl & Part Phys with Adv Skills 15 Project – Maths 15 or Physics 30 Advanced QM * 15 (if Complex An not taken) Choice inc Spec Rel, Intro Cond Matt Ph, MT Choice 15 Choice inc Spec Rel, Intro Cond Matt Ph, MT Choice 15 Thermal & Stat Physics 15 Thermal & Stat Physics 15 MT Choice 15 MT Choice 15 Choice 15 Choice 15 MT Choice, inc Complex Analysis 15 MT Choice 15 Choice 15 / 0 Choice 15 * MPhys Maths and TP students take one or both of PH4028 Advanced Quantum Mechanics: Concepts and Methods and MT3503 Complex Analysis.
For the BSc joint degree at least 90 credits must be from PH and/or AS honours modules, and at least 90 from MT honours modules. ID4001 taken in the respective school counts towards these totals.
For the MPhys joint degree the same applies, but at least 135 credits are needed in each discipline.The final year of the MPhys programme has a mix of MT and PH modules, and includes a project in either discipline. The PH project is 60 credits.