Physics

A typical week

In the first year your time will be equally divided between mathematics and physics, with about ten lectures and two tutorials plus one day a week working on experimental physics in the practical laboratories. In the second and third years the core and mainstream physics topics are covered in tutorials and small group classes. Practical work is also done during the year. In the fourth year you will take two major options and the MPhys project.

Tutorials are usually 2-4 students and a tutor. Class sizes may vary depending on the options you choose. There would usually be no more than around 20 students though classes for some of the more popular papers may be up to 40 students.

Most tutorials, classes, and lectures are delivered by staff who are tutors in their subject. Many are world-leading experts with years of experience in teaching and research. Some teaching may also be delivered by postgraduate students who are usually studying at doctorate level.

To find out more about how our teaching year is structured, visit our Academic Year page.

Academic YearCourse structureYEAR 1

CURRENT COURSES

• Classical mechanics and special relativity
• Electromagnetism, circuit theory and optics
• Mathematical methods I
• Differential equations and waves

Short options, for example:

• Astronomy
• Complex analysis
• Quantum ideas

ASSESSMENT

First University examinations: four written papers; short option paper; satisfactory laboratory work

YEAR 2

CURRENT COURSES

• Thermal physics
• Electromagnetism and optics
• Quantum physics
• Mathematical methods II

Short options, for example:

• Classical mechanics
• Climate physics
• Introduction to biological physics

ASSESSMENT

Final University examinations, Part A (BA and MPhys): three written papers; short option paper; laboratory work; individual presentation

YEAR 3CURRENT COURSES

• Fluids
• Symmetry and relativity
• Atomic and laser physics
• Nuclear and particle physics
• General relativity
• Condensed-matter physics
• Computational and experimental projects

Short options, for example:

• Advanced quantum mechanics
• Classical mechanics
• Plasma physics

ASSESSMENT

Final University examinations, Part B: MPhys: Part A plus up to five written papers, short option paper, mini project, laboratory work; BA: Part A plus up to four written papers, short option paper, mini project, laboratory work, project report, optional industrial project

YEAR 4

RESEARCH

Project and two option courses:

• MPhys project

Current major options:

• Astrophysics
• Laser science and quantum information processing
• Condensed matter
• Particle physics
• Atmospheres and oceans
• Theoretical physics
• Biological physics

ASSESSMENT

Final University examinations, Part C (MPhys): project report; two major option papers

Exams are taken in June at the end of each year of the courses. Most written papers are of 2.5 or 3 hours duration. Short options are shared across Years 1–3 and are examined by a 1.5 hour paper; the titles shown are illustrative and may change from year to year of the course. More information about current options is available on the Physics website.

YEAR 1

CURRENT COURSES

• Classical mechanics and special relativity
• Electromagnetism, circuit theory and optics
• Mathematical methods I
• Differential equations and waves

Short options, for example:

• Astronomy
• Complex analysis
• Quantum ideas

ASSESSMENT

First University examinations: four written papers; short option paper; satisfactory laboratory work

YEAR 2

CURRENT COURSES

• Thermal physics
• Electromagnetism and optics
• Quantum physics
• Mathematical methods II

Short options, for example:

• Classical mechanics
• Climate physics
• Introduction to biological physics

ASSESSMENT

Final University examinations, Part A (BA and MPhys): three written papers; short option paper; laboratory work; individual presentation

YEAR 3CURRENT COURSES

• Fluids
• Symmetry and relativity
• Atomic and laser physics
• Nuclear and particle physics
• General relativity
• Condensed-matter physics
• Computational and experimental projects

Short options, for example:

• Advanced quantum mechanics
• Classical mechanics
• Plasma physics

ASSESSMENT

Final University examinations, Part B: MPhys: Part A plus up to five written papers, short option paper, mini project, laboratory work; BA: Part A plus up to four written papers, short option paper, mini project, laboratory work, project report, optional industrial project

YEAR 4

RESEARCH

Project and two option courses:

• MPhys project

Current major options:

• Astrophysics
• Laser science and quantum information processing
• Condensed matter
• Particle physics
• Atmospheres and oceans
• Theoretical physics
• Biological physics

ASSESSMENT

Final University examinations, Part C (MPhys): project report; two major option papers

Exams are taken in June at the end of each year of the courses. Most written papers are of 2.5 or 3 hours duration. Short options are shared across Years 1–3 and are examined by a 1.5 hour paper; the titles shown are illustrative and may change from year to year of the course. More information about current options is available on the Physics website.

YEAR 1YEAR 1YEAR 1

CURRENT COURSES

• Classical mechanics and special relativity
• Electromagnetism, circuit theory and optics
• Mathematical methods I
• Differential equations and waves

Short options, for example:

• Astronomy
• Complex analysis
• Quantum ideas

ASSESSMENT

First University examinations: four written papers; short option paper; satisfactory laboratory work

CURRENT COURSES

• Classical mechanics and special relativity
• Electromagnetism, circuit theory and optics
• Mathematical methods I
• Differential equations and waves

Short options, for example:

• Astronomy
• Complex analysis
• Quantum ideas

CURRENT COURSES

CURRENT COURSES

• Classical mechanics and special relativity
• Electromagnetism, circuit theory and optics
• Mathematical methods I
• Differential equations and waves

Classical mechanics and special relativity

Electromagnetism, circuit theory and optics

Mathematical methods I

Differential equations and waves

Short options, for example:

• Astronomy
• Complex analysis
• Quantum ideas

Astronomy

Complex analysis

Quantum ideas

ASSESSMENT

First University examinations: four written papers; short option paper; satisfactory laboratory work

ASSESSMENT

ASSESSMENT

First University examinations: four written papers; short option paper; satisfactory laboratory work

YEAR 2YEAR 2YEAR 2

CURRENT COURSES

• Thermal physics
• Electromagnetism and optics
• Quantum physics
• Mathematical methods II

Short options, for example:

• Classical mechanics
• Climate physics
• Introduction to biological physics

ASSESSMENT

Final University examinations, Part A (BA and MPhys): three written papers; short option paper; laboratory work; individual presentation

CURRENT COURSES

• Thermal physics
• Electromagnetism and optics
• Quantum physics
• Mathematical methods II

Short options, for example:

• Classical mechanics
• Climate physics
• Introduction to biological physics

CURRENT COURSES

CURRENT COURSES

• Thermal physics
• Electromagnetism and optics
• Quantum physics
• Mathematical methods II

Thermal physics

Electromagnetism and optics

Quantum physics

Mathematical methods II

Short options, for example:

• Classical mechanics
• Climate physics
• Introduction to biological physics

Classical mechanics

Climate physics

Introduction to biological physics

ASSESSMENT

Final University examinations, Part A (BA and MPhys): three written papers; short option paper; laboratory work; individual presentation

ASSESSMENT

ASSESSMENT

Final University examinations, Part A (BA and MPhys): three written papers; short option paper; laboratory work; individual presentation

YEAR 3YEAR 3YEAR 3CURRENT COURSES

• Fluids
• Symmetry and relativity
• Atomic and laser physics
• Nuclear and particle physics
• General relativity
• Condensed-matter physics
• Computational and experimental projects

Short options, for example:

• Advanced quantum mechanics
• Classical mechanics
• Plasma physics

ASSESSMENT

Final University examinations, Part B: MPhys: Part A plus up to five written papers, short option paper, mini project, laboratory work; BA: Part A plus up to four written papers, short option paper, mini project, laboratory work, project report, optional industrial project

CURRENT COURSES

• Fluids
• Symmetry and relativity
• Atomic and laser physics
• Nuclear and particle physics
• General relativity
• Condensed-matter physics
• Computational and experimental projects

Short options, for example:

• Advanced quantum mechanics
• Classical mechanics
• Plasma physics

CURRENT COURSES

• Fluids
• Symmetry and relativity
• Atomic and laser physics
• Nuclear and particle physics
• General relativity
• Condensed-matter physics
• Computational and experimental projects

Fluids

Symmetry and relativity

Atomic and laser physics

Nuclear and particle physics

General relativity

Condensed-matter physics

Computational and experimental projects

• Advanced quantum mechanics
• Classical mechanics
• Plasma physics

Advanced quantum mechanics

Classical mechanics

Plasma physics

ASSESSMENT

Final University examinations, Part B: MPhys: Part A plus up to five written papers, short option paper, mini project, laboratory work; BA: Part A plus up to four written papers, short option paper, mini project, laboratory work, project report, optional industrial project

ASSESSMENT

ASSESSMENT

Final University examinations, Part B: MPhys: Part A plus up to five written papers, short option paper, mini project, laboratory work; BA: Part A plus up to four written papers, short option paper, mini project, laboratory work, project report, optional industrial project

YEAR 4YEAR 4YEAR 4

RESEARCH

Project and two option courses:

• MPhys project

Current major options:

• Astrophysics
• Laser science and quantum information processing
• Condensed matter
• Particle physics
• Atmospheres and oceans
• Theoretical physics
• Biological physics

ASSESSMENT

Final University examinations, Part C (MPhys): project report; two major option papers

RESEARCH

Project and two option courses:

• MPhys project

Current major options:

• Astrophysics
• Laser science and quantum information processing
• Condensed matter
• Particle physics
• Atmospheres and oceans
• Theoretical physics
• Biological physics

RESEARCH

RESEARCH

Project and two option courses:

• MPhys project

MPhys project

• Astrophysics
• Laser science and quantum information processing
• Condensed matter
• Particle physics
• Atmospheres and oceans
• Theoretical physics
• Biological physics

Astrophysics

Laser science and quantum information processing

Condensed matter

Particle physics

Atmospheres and oceans

Theoretical physics

Biological physics

ASSESSMENT

Final University examinations, Part C (MPhys): project report; two major option papers

ASSESSMENT

ASSESSMENT

Final University examinations, Part C (MPhys): project report; two major option papers

Exams are taken in June at the end of each year of the courses. Most written papers are of 2.5 or 3 hours duration. Short options are shared across Years 1–3 and are examined by a 1.5 hour paper; the titles shown are illustrative and may change from year to year of the course. More information about current options is available on the Physics website.

Exams are taken in June at the end of each year of the courses. Most written papers are of 2.5 or 3 hours duration. Short options are shared across Years 1–3 and are examined by a 1.5 hour paper; the titles shown are illustrative and may change from year to year of the course. More information about current options is available on the Physics website.

Exams are taken in June at the end of each year of the courses. Most written papers are of 2.5 or 3 hours duration. Short options are shared across Years 1–3 and are examined by a 1.5 hour paper; the titles shown are illustrative and may change from year to year of the course. More information about current options is available on the Physics website.

Exams are taken in June at the end of each year of the courses. Most written papers are of 2.5 or 3 hours duration. Short options are shared across Years 1–3 and are examined by a 1.5 hour paper; the titles shown are illustrative and may change from year to year of the course. More information about current options is available on the Physics website.Physics website.

The content and format of this course may change in some circumstances. Read further information about potential course changes.

The content and format of this course may change in some circumstances. Read further information about potential course changes.

The content and format of this course may change in some circumstances. Read further information about potential course changes.

The content and format of this course may change in some circumstances. Read further information about potential course changes.

potential course changesMMathPhys Year 4

The Physics and Mathematics Departments jointly offer an integrated master’s level course in Mathematical and Theoretical Physics. Physics students are able to apply for transfer to a fourth year studying entirely mathematical and theoretical physics, completing their degree with an MMathPhys. The course offers research-level training in: Particle physics, Condensed matter physics, Astrophysics, Plasma physics and Continuous media.
mmathphys.physics.ox.ac.uk

mmathphys.physics.ox.ac.ukmmathphys.physics.ox.ac.uk

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