Physics with North American Study MPhys
Course
In Exeter
Description
-
Type
Course
-
Location
Exeter
The University of Exeter featured in the UK’s top 10 in the past 3 years (The Times Good University Guide) and ranks in the top one per cent of universities in the world according to the Times Higher Education international rankings. We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research intensive universities; the UK’s equivalent to the Ivy League.
The quality of education and experience received at the University of Exeter means we have never been out of the top 10 for overall student satisfaction in the National Student Survey.
Facilities
Location
Start date
Start date
Reviews
Subjects
- IT
- GCSE Physics
Course programme
The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
In Year 1 you will develop your understanding of physics and become familiar with a variety of basic mathematical tools. The concepts and phenomena you’ll meet are many and varied, but are united by the underlying principles of physics. In a typical week you will spend 15 hours in a formal teaching environment, and be expected to spend a further 20 hours in independent study. You’ll have four hours of lectures in physics, two in mathematics, one tutorial, six hours in the teaching laboratories and two hours in problem-solving classes.
Year 2 provides a firm foundation of physics, and the principles that constitute the framework of the subject. The use of mathematics gives these principles a precise form and provides physicists with the ability to make detailed quantitative predictions. This year focuses on four main cornerstones of physics: condensed matter, quantum mechanics, electromagnetism and thermodynamics. These provide the core of most of physics and of our understanding of the evolution of our universe. The other modules in your second and subsequent years draw in part on your knowledge of this core.
Year 3, and Year 4 (MPhys only) of the programme allow you to apply the core principles in a broad range of important areas, such as Nuclear and High-Energy Particle Physics and Statistical Physics, plus advanced electromagnetism, quantum physics and condensed matter physics. There are numerous options in theoretical physics for you to choose such as Quantum Many Body Theory, and Relativity and Cosmology. You can also choose to study technologically-important areas such as Quantum Optics and Photonics, and Physical Methods in Biology and Medicine, and active research areas such as Galaxies and High Energy Astrophysics, and Nanostructures and Graphene Science. (Options are dependent on the programme of study).
The final year(s) of the programme also involve substantial project work. On the BSc programmes you will undertake extended experiments utilising a suite of equipment that includes an atomic force microscope, an infra-red spectrometer, and our own observatory and radio telescope. You also have the opportunity to undertake team-based work tackling a real-world problem proposed by local business or industry. As part of the MPhys programme, you will be ‘adopted’ into one of our research groups, working in a small group (typically three or four, but with individual roles), to undertake a project for at least one academic year. You will select your preferred project from a list of short research proposals freshly written by the academics each year. The projects are original and open-ended, i.e., they each focus on a previously unstudied piece of physics. You will meet with your supervisor (a professor or lecturer) once a week to discuss progress and future work. You are also encouraged to attend research seminars from visiting speakers, attend the weekly group meetings, and integrate and socialise with the PhD students and researchers.
Module Name
CodeMPhys/BSc Physics
MPhys/BSc Physics w/ Astrophysics
MPhys Physics w/ Professional Experience
MPhys Physics w/ Study Abroad
BSc Mathematics & Physics†
Intro. to Astrophysics
PHY1021
C
C
C
C
IT & Astro Skills
PHY1029
C
O
O
IT & Electronics
PHY1028C
O
O
Mathematics
PHY1025
PHY1026
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
Modules from Maths
various
C†
Practical Phys. & IT
PHY1030
C
Practical Physics
PHY1027C
C
C
C
Properties of Matter
PHY1024C
C
C
C
C
Vector Mechanics
PHY1022
C
C
C
C
C
Waves and Optics
PHY1023C
C
C
C
C
Year 2 ModulesModule Name
Code
MPhys/BSc Physics
MPhys/BSc Physics w/ Astrophysics
MPhys Physics w/ Professional Experience
MPhys Physics w/ Study Abroad
BSc Mathematics & Physics†
Analytical & Chaotic Mchncs
PHY2032 OO
O
O
O
Condensed Matter I
PHY2024C
C
C
C
O
Elective(s)*
variousO
O
O
Electromagnetism I
PHY2021C
C
C
C
C
Quantum Applications...
PHY2031O
O
O
O
Maths w/ Phys. Applications
PHY2025C
C
C
C
O
Modules from Mathematics
various
C/O†
Observing the Universe
PHY2030O
C
O
O
O
Practical Physics II
PHY2026C
C
C
C
O
Quantum Mechanics I
PHY2022C
C
C
C
C
Sci. Programming in C
PHY2027O
C
O
O
The Physics of Living Systems
PHY2029O
O
O
O
Thermal Physics
PHY2023C
C
C
C
O
Year 3 ModulesModule Name
Code
MPhys/BSc Physics
MPhys/BSc Physics w/ Astrophysics
MPhys Physics w/ Professional Experience
MPhys Physics w/ Study Abroad
BSc Mathematics & Physics†
Applying Physics (BSc Project)
PHY3150O
O
Elective (MPhys Physics only)*
variousO
Electromagnetism II
PHY3051C
C
C
C
Energy and the Environment
PHY3067O
O
O
Galaxies & High-Energy Astro.
PHY3066O
C
O
General Problems
PHY3053C
C
Methods of Theoretical Phys.
PHY3062O
O
O
Modules at Year Abroad Host
various
C
Modules from Mathematics
various
C/O†
Nanostructures & Graphene
PHY3064O
O
O
Nuclear & High En. Part. Phys.
PHY3052C
C
C
Principles of Theoretical Phys.
PHY3068O
O
O
Professional Experience
PHY3306
C
Project(s)
PHY3122 (MPhys) PHY3138 (BSc)C
C
C
C
C
Quantum Mech. II
PHYM002C (MPhys)
C (MPhys)
C
Stars
PHY3063O
C
O
The Biophysics of Cells and Tissues
PHY3061O
O
O
Ultrafast Physics
PHY3069O
O
Year 4 Modules (MPhys degrees only)
Module Name
Code
MPhys Physics
MPhys Physics w/ Astrophysics
MPhys Physics w/ Professional Experience
MPhys Physics w/ Study Abroad
An option from the Year 3 list
variousO
O
Computational Physics ...
PHYM004O
O
O
O
Condensed Matter II
PHYM003C
C
C
C
Independent Study
PHYM005O
O
O
O
Nuclear & High En. Part. Phys.
PHY3052
C
C
Phys. Methods in Bio. & Med.
PHYM008O
O
O
O
Project
PHYM009C
C
Project (Year Away)
PHYM010
C
C
Qntm Many-Body Theory
PHYM013O
O
O
O
Quantum Mechanics II
PHYM002
C
Quantum Optics & Photonics
PHYM015O
O
O
O
Relativity and Cosmology
PHYM006O
C
O
O
Solar/Extra-Solar Planets...
PHYM012O
C
O
O
Statistical Physics
PHYM001C
C
C
C
* An ‘elective’ is an unspecified module that allows the student to broaden their education by taking a module from another discipline e.g., philosophy, or a foreign language
† BSc Mathematics and Physics students take Numbers, Symmetries and Groups and Probability and Discrete Mathematics in year 1, and Linear Algebra in year 2 as compulsory modules. In years 2 and 3 there are a large number of options to choose from in Mathematics, ranging from Mathematical Theory of Economics, to Mathematics: History and Culture, to Mathematics of Climate Change. See www.exeter.ac.uk/ug/maths for more information.
Physics with North American Study MPhys