BSc (Hons) Physics with Acoustics

Industrial Placement
International students can apply

This course is built around a core of compulsory modules that will give you a thorough grounding in physics, in addition you will study specialist modules in Acoustics. You will also take part in group projects that will allow you to develop your team working, problem solving, communication and presentation skills, all desirable within the industrial and research communities.

You can opt to take an industrial placement year in between your second and third year of your course. This has a number of benefits: you will improve your employment prospects after graduation, you get to see the physics you have learned in action, they are often paid positions, and many of our industrial placement students ultimately improve their degree classification over their second year results to receive top class degrees.

Year 1

Fundamentals of Physics A

Delivered through lectures, problem-based learning and laboratory sessions, in this module you will be introduced to the following subjects: classical dynamics, static and dynamic charges, fundamentals of quantum mechanics, fundamentals of relativity and atomic and nuclear physics.

Fundamentals of Physics B

Delivered through key note lectures, tutorial and problem-based learning classes and practical laboratory sessions, in this module you will be introduced to the following subjects: thermodynamics, microscopic and macroscopic properties of matter, fundamentals of waves and geometrical optics and wave optics.

Frontiers of Physics and Entrepreneurial Skills

Being able to apply your scientific knowledge and thinking to unfamiliar problems is a key skill for success in industry and research. By introducing you to this skill, along with other important skills identified by our industrial and academic partners, they will become second nature, giving you a head start in your chosen career.

Introduction to Acoustics

You will be introduced to a wide range of concepts in acoustics, and be taught the skills for the practical measurement and analysis of acoustic parameters. Subjects include: acoustics sources, acoustic waves and their behaviour, hearing, speech, room acoustics and music and resonance.

Mathematics for Physics

An understanding and ability to use mathematics are essential skills for success in physics this module will review A level mathematics covering the following subjects: algebra, trigonometry, functions, geometry, vectors, complex numbers and calculus, with emphasis on their applications to physics.

Mathematics and Computing

Building on the subject knowledge from Mathematics for Physics module you will further you knowledge of differential equations and series with emphasis on their applications to physics and develop your awareness of the importance of mathematics in a quantitative description of physics. You will be introduced to the use of spreadsheets, computing programming and symbolic computing.

Year 2

Vibrations and Waves

The fundamentals of vibrations and waves apply across a wide range of systems. In this module you will develop an understanding of the effects of damping and forcing on vibrations, and of coupled systems. You will learn to develop expressions for velocities of mechanical waves in various systems, and be introduced to a number of characteristic wave phenomena, such as standing waves, beats, wave packets, Doppler effect and the effects of boundaries on wave propagation and reflection.

Thermal and Statistical Physics

This module will introduce the concepts and nature of heat energy and its analysis. The subjects covered include: microscopic description of ideal and non ideal gases, pressure and molecular motion, velocity distribution functions and the Maxwell Boltzman speed distribution function, energy distribution functions, transport phenomena, mean free paths and random walks, and the classical and quantum theory of cavity radiation.

Theoretical Physics 1

Continuing from year 1 mathematics, this module deepens your understanding and skills for the mathematical modelling of physics. You will learn to use mathematical tools such as vector calculus and matrices to identify and solve physically-based problems. Examples of subjects included are: divergence theorem and Stokes' theorem, special matrices and matrix inversion, eigenvalues and eigenvectors and solutions of Partial Differential Equations.

Introduction to Computational Physics

Computer programming skills are very useful for the physicist, not only in research but also in industry. You will build on your introduction to programming from the first year, applying programming to computational physics problems and analysis.

Principles of Acoustics

In this module you will build on your knowledge and skills from the Introduction to acoustics module, to give you a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of acoustics. Subjects include: Fourier's theorem, solutions of 1-D wave equation, acoustic impedance, reflection factor and absorption coefficient, 3-D wave equation, radiation impedance, and behaviour of sound in 3D enclosures.

Laboratory 3

Through one laboratory session per week in the first semester, supported by academics and technical staff, you will widen and deepen your understanding and practice of good experimental and analytical technique, physical principles associated with physics and good report writing skills, learning more advanced experimental procedure and data analysis.

Introductory Optics

From sunglasses to fibre optics and lasers, this module will teach you the tools to understand and analyse the behaviour of light. The course includes geometric optics, polarisation, scattering of light by objects, interference and coherence and simple lasers.

Electricity and Magnetism

This module will introduce the concepts of magnetic field and magnetic flux related to current flow, the laws of Ampere and Faraday and some applications, basic properties of magnetic material and provide a basic understanding of alternating current behaviour.

Condensed Matter

In this module you will widen and deepen your understanding of the nature of matter at an atomistic level. Subjects included are: amorphous solids, quantum numbers, radial probability distribution function of s and p orbital's, crystal defects (introduction to point, line and planar defects) electrical conduction in metals transport processes in liquids, viscous flow and turbulence

Quantum Mechanics 1

An introduction to the world of quantum mechanics will be delivered in this module. You will develop both a quantitative and qualitative understanding of the principles of quantum mechanics. Subjects include wave particle duality, development of the Schroedinger wave equation, quantum tunnelling, and angular momentum and spin.

Laboratory 4

In this module you will work on project-based experiments, allowing you to extend your knowledge acquisition and analytical techniques, and learn more about team working within the context of scientific research.

Year 3

Final year Project (BSc)

One of the most important parts of the preparation for your future career, whether in industry, research or even education, is the undertaking of a final year project. The projects can be chosen from a list provided by an academic or on a subject of your choice, if agreed by a supervising academic.

Nuclear and Particle Physics

In this module you will be provided with an overview of nuclear physics, an understanding of nuclear stability in terms of the liquid drop model, of nuclear reactions involving neutrons, protons, electrons and neutrinos, and major experimental techniques and practical applications. The particle physics aspects of the module will cover the basic discoveries of modern particle physics and introduce the ideas of grand unified theory.

Electromagnetic Theory

Maxwell's equations and their applications will be introduced to you in this module along with an understanding of electromagnetic (e.m.) wave behaviour at interfaces and the energy carried by the e.m. field. Subjects included are Stokes' and Gauss' theorems, Biot Savart law, time dependent e.m. effects and Poynting's vector.

Quantum Mechanics 2

This module will build on your knowledge from quantum mechanics 1 furthering your understanding of approximation techniques in quantum mechanics, the interaction of radiation with particles and of scattering phenomena. Subjects include stationary state perturbation theory, the Zeeman effect, the Stark effect, energy time uncertainty, induced and spontaneous emission, and the Born approximation.

Relativity

Along with quantum mechanics, relativity is one of the great paradigm shifts of the 20th century. In this module you will develop familiarity with Einstein's special theory of relativity, and understand the role played by relativity theory in a modern understanding of quantum mechanics and electromagnetism. Subjects include special relativity, relativity in quantum mechanics and relativistic electromagnetism.

Solid State Physics

Semi-conductors are the foundations of modern technology, much of which we use in our everyday lives. This module will provide knowledge of the behaviour of electrons in metals and semiconductors, and allow you to perform calculations of solid state parameters. Subjects include: free electron model of solids quantum theory leading to Fermi energy, density of states, and the thermoelectric and Hall effects.

Optional Modules (choose one):

Room Acoustics

You will be given a fundamental understanding of the behaviour of sound in rooms, and the associated objective and subjective effects and be introduced to techniques to predict and measure the sound field and the parameters that characterise the acoustic quality of a room. Building on this knowledge you will be taught to design and established criteria for a variety of spaces (from large concert halls to small studio rooms).

Acoustics of Music

This module with help you to develop your knowledge and understanding of the physics of musical sound generation, synthesis and perception with awareness of its creative application to the art of making music. Subjects include: music perception, oscillating Systems, string instruments, wind instruments, Wave shaping and physical modelling as a means of sound synthesis.

BSc (Hons) Physics with Acoustics

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Find a course