MPhys (Hons) Physics

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 there are optional modules that allow you to add a specialism to your portfolio of knowledge and skills, such as astrophysics or PC interfacing. 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.

Electronics and Optoelectronics

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: operational principles of electrical and electronic circuits, fundamentals of digital electronics, and principles of optoelectronics.

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.

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.

Optional Modules (choose two)

Astrophysics

This module will provide a broad spectrum instruction to the many aspects of astrophysics including: astronomical coordinate systems, telescopes, orbital mechanics, planetary atmospheres, nuclear reactions within stars, small solar system bodies and galactic structure.

Computer Simulation

You will learn how to use MATLAB software for the computer simulation of complex systems. These systems include nonlinear maps logistic and Ricker maps (population modelling) the Lorenz equations (atmospheric turbulence and convection) Maxwell-Bloch equations (dynamics of semiconductor lasers). You'll also do a group project from a list that includes quantifying chaos and fractality, optical switching in laser cavities and chaos in spatially-extended systems.

PC Interfacing

PC interfacing is a useful skill for any physicist, allowing you to interface measurement and control systems. In this module you will be introduced to the basic principles of microcomputer interfacing, microcomputer architecture and to the main analogue and digital interface devices.

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.

Short Project (MPhys)

You will work with an academic supervisor on a research or development project which can be closely related to the experiments that are available in the laboratory or on a subject of your choice if agreed by your supervisor.

Materials (MPhys)

This module will build on from the Condensed Matter module. You will be introduced to the concepts of phase equilibrium and structure in alloys through the phase diagram and thermodynamics, and develop an understanding of defects, diffusion in solids and the importance of microstructure. Subjects include factors determining crystal structure of alloys, point defects, vacancies, thermodynamic considerations of stability, effects on physical properties and crystallographic features.

Theoretical Physics 2 (MPhys)

Building on your knowledge from Theoretical Physics 1 this module will advance and exemplify the concept that statistical methods are necessary if quantum mechanics is to be applied successfully to the description of bulk matter. The subjects will include: statistical ensembles and thermodynamic potentials, Einstein model of the vibrational heat capacity of solids, and quantum statistics - Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac distribution functions

Optional Modules:

Advanced Optics

Building on your knowledge from the Introductory Optics module, you will learn to use Fourier optics as a technique for analysing diffractive limits on imaging and how standard Fourier pairs are used to obtain important results in the diffractive theory of imaging. The subjects include Fourier transforms in two and three dimensions, Fraunhofer diffraction, Abbe sine theory and holography.

Astrophysics and Particle Physics

The astrophysics part to this module will concentrate on the nature of stars from the nuclear physics in energy generation in to spectral classification, luminosities, and the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. The discovery of the muon and pion, hadrons, baryons and mesons, strangeness and its conservation and quarks and charmed particles are just a few of the subjects covered in the particle physics part of the module.

Low Temperature Physics

Strange things happen at low temperatures. In this module you will develop an understanding of physics at very low temperatures, including the phenomena of superfluidity and superconductivity. The subjects include theories of Helium: London, Landau and Feynman, Fermi-Dirac systems, properties of the superfluid phase, superconductivity, Meissner effect, and methods of attaining and measuring low temperatures.

Year 4

Final Year Project

One of the most important parts of your 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 academic or on a subject of your choice, if agreed by an academic to supervise you.

Structural Analysis and Materials Characterisation

You will be introduced to modern methods of structural analysis and materials characterisation. The techniques covered are: X-ray and neutron diffraction, electron microscopy, scanning probe microscopy, spectroscopic and surface analysis, optical spectroscopy, and magnetic spectroscopies.

Advanced Quantum Mechanics

In this module you will be introduced to use of group theoretic methods in quantum mechanical problems and instructed in formal statement of symmetry properties and their use to label states and formulate selection rules. Subjects include: many particle wavefunctions, quasiparticles, matrix formulation of quantum mechanics, and angular momentum and intrinsic spin.

Magnetism

This module will give you a thorough grounding in the fundamental aspects of magnetism and inform you of the relevance of magnetism to the modern world. Subjects include quantum theory of paramagnetism, ferromagnetism, antiferromagnetism and ferrimagnetism, single domain concept and Stoner-Wohlfarth theory, structure and technical applications of ferrimagnetic oxide materials, and theory of domain structures and domain walls.

Advanced Solid State Physics

This module will introduce you to the fundamental principles of phonons and electrons in solids. Phonon subjects include dispersion of lattice wave, optical and acoustic modes of vibration, and Brillouin zones. Electron subjects include Bragg scattering model, effective mass and holes, band structure of semiconductor crystals, and the doping of semiconductors.

Project Presentation

This module complements the final year project module and aims to further develop your interpersonal and presentation skills. You will present on the content of your project and make two public oral presentations to peers and staff, and produce and defend a poster presentation suitable for an international-standard research conference.

MPhys (Hons) Physics

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

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