Mathematics and Physics

Your first two years combine physics theory modules (about 40%), core mathematics modules (about 50%) and programming/skills (about 10%). The core mathematics modules concentrate on analysis (calculus done with proofs), applied mathematics (mainly differential equations) and linear algebra. The physics theory modules cover the central principles of quantum and classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, relativity, thermal physics and waves.

Warwick is strong in research in a number of branches of mathematics and physics, which are likely to be of most interest to joint degree students. There are later year options on the theory of complex systems, the weather, the modelling of biological systems and theoretical physics. In your final year you will work alongside a team of academics on a research project.

The programme consists of a core with further modules taken from an options list. Enough options have to be taken in order to raise the total load to at least 126 CATS credits, which is the normal load. The maximum permitted load is 150 CATS credits.

1st Year Module

Core Modules

• MA106 Linear Algebra
• MA133 Differential Equations
• MA137 Mathematical Analysis
• MA138 Sets and Numbers
• PX101 Quantum Phenomena
• PX120 Electricity & Magnetism
• PX129 Tutorial
• PX145 Physics Foundations
• PX148 Classical Mechanics and Relativity
• PX150 Physics Programming Workshop

Options

• MA117 Programming for Scientists
• MA125 Introduction to Geometry
• MA136 Introduction to Abstract Algebra
• PX144 Introduction to Astronomy
• PX147 Introduction to Particle Physics
• ST111 Probability A
• ST112 Probability B

The course consists of a core with further modules taken from options lists. Enough options have to be taken in order to raise the total load to at least 120 CATS credits, which is the normal load. You must choose modules worth at least 15 CATS from those given in List A. The maximum permitted load is 150 CATS.

• MA209 Variational Principles
• MA244 Analysis III
• MA250 Partial Differential Equations
• MA259 Multivariable Calculus
• PX262 Quantum Mechanics and its Applications
• PX263 Electromagnetic Theory and Optics
• PX264 Physics of Fluids
• PX265 Thermal Physics II
• PX276 Methods of Mathematical Physics

• MA242 Algebra I: Advanced Linear Algebra
• MA243 Geometry
• MA249 Algebra II: Groups and Rings
• MA254 Theory of ODEs
• MA256 Introduction to Mathematical Biology
• MA260 Norms, Metrics and Topologies
• PX266 Geophysics
• PX267 Hamiltonian Mechanics
• PX268 Stars
• PX273 Physics of Electrical Power Generation
• PX274 Experimental Particle Physics
• PX277 Computational Physics
• Option List B
• IL006 Challenges of Climate Change
• A Modern Foreign Language*
• IE3E2 Introduction to Secondary School Teaching

The third year of the four year (MMathPhys) degree is comprised of a compulsory core with further modules chosen from option lists.

Students are required to take the core modules. Enough options have to be taken in order to raise the total load to at least 120 CATS credits. At least 52.5 CATS credits must be taken from the lists of optional modules with at least 15 CATS credits from List A. Candidates may substitute modules from the Mathematics Third Year List A for modules in List A below. External options may also be chosen subject to approval by the Head of the Department of Physics.

The maximum is 150 CATS credits.

3rd Year Module

Core Modules

• MA3D1 Fluid Dynamics
• PX382 Quantum Physics of Atoms
• PX384 Electrodynamics
• PX423 Kinetic Theory
• PX442 Laboratory for Maths/Physics Students

Option List A

• MA359 Measure Theory
• MA390 Topics in Mathematical Biology
• MA3B8 Complex Analysis
• MA3G1 Theory of PDEs
• MA3G7 Functional Analysis I: Applied Analysis

Option List B

• PX308 Physics in Medicine
• PX350 The Weather and the Environment
• PX366 Statistical Physics
• PX385 Condensed Matter Physics
• PX387 Astrophysics
• PX389 Cosmology
• PX390 Scientific Computing
• PX392 Plasma Electrodynamics
• PX395 The Standard Model
• PX396 Nuclear Physics
• PX397 Galaxies

The final year of the four year (MMathPhys) degree has a single compulsory component, the Project, with further modules chosen from option lists.

You are required to take the core module. Enough options have to be taken in order to raise the total load to at least 120 CATS credits. You should choose modules totalling at least 45 CATS credits from the list of optional modules including at least 15 CATS credits from List A and at least 15 credits from List B. Over your third and fourth years combined, you must take at least 120 CATS credits derived from level 4 modules (those with a MA4** or PX4** code). Subject to the approval of the Chair of the Department of Physics, external options, may also be taken. The maximum is 150 CATS credits.

• PX402 Physics Project

• MA390 Topics in Mathematical Biology
• MA3G8 Functional Analysis II: Linear Analysis
• MA424 Dynamical Systems
• MA433 Fourier Analysis
• MA4A7 Quantum Mechanics: Basic Principles and Probabilistic Methods
• MA4L2 Statistical Mechanics
• MA4L4 Mathematical Acoustics
• Any lecture module in Lists A or C of fourth year of the Maths course not already taken in year

• PX408 Relativistic Quantum Mechanics
• PX416 High Energy Astrophysics
• PX420 Solar Magnetohydrodynamics
• PX425 High Performance Computing in Physics
• PX430 Gauge Theories for Particle Physics
• PX431 Structure and Dynamics of Solids
• PX435 Neutrino Physics
• PX436 General Relativity
• PX438 Physics of Fusion Power
• PX441 Quantum Theory of Interacting Particles
• PX443 Planets, Exo-Planets and Life
• PX444 The Distant Universe
• PX445 Advanced Particle Physics
• PX446 Condensed Matter Physics II

You will learn through a combination of lectures, laboratory work, tutorials and informal interaction with other students. In your first two years, you will have weekly tutorials with an academic member of staff in groups of up to five students. In the final year, you will spend a substantial proportion of your time on a project.

On the Mathematics and Physics joint honours course, you will attend between 15 and 18 lectures a week, and spend around 2 hours per week on practical work (mainly computing plus a third-year skills laboratory). For each 1–hour lecture, you should expect to put in a further 1-2 hours of private study.

Most lecture modules are assessed by 15% coursework and 85% final examinations or by 100% exam, with almost all exams taken in the third term. Essays and projects, such as the final-year project, are assessed by coursework and an oral presentation.