Selection of modules
The definitive statements of what modules are required for each degree programme can be found in the University's published Programme requirements.
The modules available this session are given below. When more than one staff member is listed the first person is usually expected to be the module coordinator.
Pre-requisites for each module are shown in the University's Module catalogue. Later honours modules will assume competence with the material from earlier compulsory modules.
Semester 1
| Modules | Credits | Expected Staff | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AS4010 | Extragalactic Astronomy | 15 | Drs Weijmans, Smith, Prof Tojeiro | Compulsory for Astro |
| AS4011 | Nebulae & Stars 1 | 15 | Prof K Wood | Compulsory for MPhys Astro |
| AS4025 | Observational Astrophysics | 15 | Drs Hernandez Santisteban, MacDonald | |
| AS5001 | Advanced Data Analysis | 15 | Drs Hernandez Santisteban, Legg | Compulsory for MPhys Astro. Also suitable for physicists! |
| AS5004 | Cosmology | 15 | Prof R Tojeiro | |
| PH3061 | Quantum Mechanics 1 | 10 | Dr A Kohnle | Compulsory for all programmes |
| PH3074 | Electronics | 15 | Drs Manousiadis, Rost | Compulsory for MPhys Physics |
| PH3080 | Programming for Physicists | 10 | Drs Mazilu, Gillies | Compulsory for most |
| PH3081 | Mathematics for Physicists | 15 | Dr I Leonhardt | Compulsory for most |
| PH3082 | Mathematics and Comp for Chem/Phys | 20 | Drs Leonhardt, Mazilu, Gillies | PH3081 plus half of PH3080 |
| PH4027 | Optoelectronics and Nonlinear Optics | 15 | Prof Samuel, Dr Ribierre | |
| PH4032 | Special Relativity and Fields | 15 | Prof N Korolkova | Compulsory for Theor Phys |
| PH4035 | Principles of Optics | 15 | Prof Turnbull, Drs Ohadi, Rajendran | |
| PH4036 | Physics of Music | 15 | Dr J Kemp | |
| PH4039 | Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics | 15 | Dr Braunecker, Prof B Lovett | |
| PH4040 | Nuclear & Particle Physics with Adv Skills | 15 | Drs Kohnle, Sinclair | N&PP from PH4041 + some PH3014. Some joint programmes only |
| PH4041 | Atomic, Nuclear & Particle Physics | 15 | Drs Kohnle, Koenig | Compulsory for most |
| PH4105 | Physics Laboratory 2 | 15 | Dr C Rae + | Compulsory for Phys |
| PH5004 | Quantum Field Theory | 15 | Prof Keeling, Dr Braunecker | Compulsory for Theor Phys |
| PH5005 | Laser Physics and Design | 15 | Drs Sinclair, Koenig | |
| PH5011 | General Relativity | 15 | Dr M Dominik | |
| PH5012 | Quantum Optics | 15 | Prof Korolkova, Dr Koenig | |
| PH5015 | Applications of Quantum Physics | 15 | Dr H Ohadi | |
| PH5016 | Biophotonics | 15 | Prof C Penedo | |
| PH5023 | Monte Carlo Radiation Transport Techniques | 15 | Prof K Wood | |
| PH5024 | Modern Topics in Condensed Matter Physics | 15 | Drs Rost, de Almeida Marques, Braunecker | |
| PH5025 | Nanophotonics | 15 | Prof Di Falco, Dr Bruce |
Semester 2
| Modules | Credits | Expected Staff | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AS3013 | Computational Astrophysics | 15 | Dr Dominik, Prof Bonnell | Compulsory for Astro |
| AS4012 | Nebulae & Stars 2 | 15 | Dr J Hernandez Santisteban | Compulsory for MPhys Astro |
| AS4015 | Gravitational and Accretion Physics | 15 | Prof I Bonnell | |
| PH3007 | Electromagnetism | 15 | Dr D Cassettari | Compulsory for all programmes |
| PH3012 | Thermal and Statistical Physics | 15 | Drs Rost, Leonhardt | Compulsory for all programmes |
| PH3062 | Quantum Mechanics 2 | 10 | Dr A Kohnle | Compulsory for all programmes |
| PH3101 | Physics Laboratory 1 | 15 | Dr C Rae + | Compulsory for Phys |
| PH4028 | Advanced QM: Concepts and Methods | 15 | Prof Korolkova, Dr Leonhardt | Compulsory for Theor Phys |
| PH4031 | Fluids | 15 | Dr R Smith | |
| PH4034 | Principles of Lasers | 15 | Dr F Koenig | |
| PH4038 | Lagrangian & Hamiltonian Dynamics | 15 | Prof B Lovett | Compulsory all MPhys |
| PH4042 | Concepts in Atomic Physics and Magnetic Resonance | 15 | Dr J Lovett | |
| PH4043 | Studies in Chemistry and Physics | 5 | Prof C Penedo | Chem/Phys students only |
| PH4044 | Advanced Condensed Matter Physics | 15 | Drs Rost, Legg, Manousiadis |
Both semesters
| Modules | Credits | Expected Staff | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PH3014 | Transferable Skills for Physicists | 15 | Dr B Sinclair + | Compulsory for all single Honours programmes |
| AS4103 | Astrophysics BSc Project | 30 | Dr M Dominik | Compulsory for Astro BSc |
| AS5101 | Astrophysics MPhys Project | 60 | Dr M Dominik | Compulsory for Astro MPhys |
| PH4111 | Physics BSc Project | 30 | Dr F Koenig | Compulsory for Physics BSc |
| PH5101 | Physics MPhys Project | 60 | Dr F Koenig | Compulsory for Phys MPhys |
| PH5103 | Theoretical Phys MPhys Project | 60 | Prof B Lovett | Compulsory for TP MPhys |
In addition to the compulsory modules listed in the programme requirements, students normally have a free choice from the remaining modules, subject to satisfying the prerequisites for each module and to timetable restrictions. Students are normally expected to take most of their "choice" honours modules from AS and PH modules (and that of their joint degree other subject where appropriate). For a single Honours BSc degree student we normally expect at least 210 honours credits during the honours programme from AS and PH and programme-specified MT modules. Relevant MT honours modules are also likely to be approved by a student's Adviser of Studies. The same is the case for a student in the first two years of an MPhys pathway.
It should be noted that 5000-level modules are normally available only to MPhys and MSci students who are in their final year of study. Some modules from the School of Mathematics and Statistics may also be of interest.
Students should note that where they choose modules that do not have exams, they may need to work more hours per week per credit on those modules during the non-exam part of the semester than on modules where work is also expected in the revision and exam weeks. Please consider this carefully if choosing multiple such modules in a single semester.
The University permits students on an honours programme to take a small number of credits from pre-honours modules during their Honours years. This is known as "dipping down". The School recommends that our Honours students "dip down" only where necessary for interest or need. The School does not normally permit Honours students to "dip down" in their final semester of study.