Program Description

On this course, students will study the maths and physics that govern the universe, and build up their CVs by applying that knowledge during a work placement. Students in this program have used their numerical and problem-solving skills on placements that range from data science jobs in the civil service to the Large Hadron Collider team at CERN.

In their first two years, students will do the essential physics that all of the university's students cover, including quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, special relativity and classical physics. Students can study more advanced maths topics in the university’s School of Mathematics and Statistics including: calculus, geometry, differential equations, linear algebra, and mechanics and fluids. These subjects give them a much more detailed understanding of mathematical concepts than the university's standard physics degrees.

In practical classes, students will run experiments using the equipment in the faculty's modern laboratories to help them understand how important theories apply to the real world. In programming classes they can learn skills that are key to theoretical physics and valuable in many graduate careers, from data science to computer game design. There are also optional modules on topics such as particle physics and the physics of music.

The students' third year will be their placement year. When students return for their fourth year, they can branch out into lots of different areas and complete their own research project in theoretical physics. Their core modules will cover topics like quantum mechanics and statistical physics. Optional modules include dark matter and mathematical biology.

Accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP) for the purpose of fully meeting the educational requirement for Chartered Physicist.