Physics
Physics is for people who take a real interest in the world around them, those who have enquiring minds and want to understand why things are the way they are.
Physicists play a vital role in research and development, forever pushing forward the frontiers of knowledge and providing the basis for the innovations which revolutionise our world. The contribution of physics to industry is so fundamental that physics graduates enjoy almost unrivalled job prospects in terms of variety and availability.
Course Information: BSc, 3 years
This is a three-year degree scheme that starts with the common core of physics modules in the first year and then leads into a selection of modules. The course is designed to give you a broad physics education and in addition supply you with a wide range of mathematical and computational skills.
The research project is a double module which gives you the opportunity to develop your own research skills. Recent projects have included studies on superconductivity, studying calibration sources for the recently-launched Herschel space telescope; meteor and pulsar detection; animating Schroedinger's equation; investigating the quantum mechanics of nanowires; and THz studies of biological tissue.
You may also be able to choose a free standing module in your first year from the wide selection available both from within the School or from other schools.
Course Information: MPhys, 4 years
This course is designed for those students who have a clear intention of studying physics to a greater depth than the three-year course will allow. During the first two years, you will study the same selection of core modules as for the BSc and, in the third and fourth years, you will study a range of core and optional modules.
In your fourth year, half of your time is spent studying your selection of lecture-based modules. You spend the remaining time undertaking a major research project. This is an exciting and challenging way to build upon the experience of project work gained in your third year, to strengthen your confidence to tackle problems independently and to develop the skills necessary to explain your work to others both by giving talks and in writing scientific reports. Project topics range from chaos theory, computer modelling and acoustics to the controlled growth of semiconductor materials, but if you are not attracted by any of the large number of projects on offer you can develop your own with advice from the academic staff.