Natural Sciences MSci

Programme structure

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.

The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.

In Stages 2 and 4, you may take optional modules as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.

During Stage 3, you can choose to take a Semester Abroad (60 credits), instead of the Group Project (30 credits) and two of the elective 15 credit modules.

You may take elective modules up to 30 credits outside of the programme's core and optional modules in Stage 2, 60 credits in Stage 3 and 60 credits in Stage 4, as long as you have obtained the explicit permission of the Programme Director, any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.

Year 1

120 credits of compulsory modules

Compulsory modules CodeModuleCredits NSC1002Mathematics and Computing: Integrative Tools for Natural Sciences 30 NSC1003Foundations in Natural Science 60 NSC1004Experimental Science 15 NSC1005Frontiers in Science 1 15 Year 2

30 credits of compulsory modules, at least 60 credits of optional modules and up to 30 credits of elective modules.

a You must select at least four optional modules from the list below (from at least two different topic areas). The remaining 30 credits will usually also be taken from the list below. However, exceptionally, up to 30 credits may be taken from other relevant University modules, for which you have the necessary pre-requisites, and with agreement with your Personal Tutor.

Compulsory modules CodeModuleCredits NSC2001Frontiers in Science 2 30 Optional modules

CodeModuleCredits NatSci Year 2 - Topic 1 - 2015/6 [see note a above] ECM2702Differential Equations15 ECM2707Systems, Series and Transforms15 NSC2002Physical Chemistry15 PHY2021Electromagnetism I15 PHY2023Thermal Physics15 NatSci Year 2 - Topic 2 - 2015/6 [see note a above] BIO2085Structure and Reactivity of Organic Compounds II15 ECM2702Differential Equations15 ECM2707Systems, Series and Transforms15 PHY2022Quantum Mechanics I15 PHY2024Condensed Matter I15 PHY2029The Physics of Living Systems15 NatSci Year 2 - Topic 3 - 2015/6 [see note a above] BIO2076Ecology and Environment15 ECM2704Numerics and Optimisation15 ECM2707Systems, Series and Transforms15 PHY2030Observing the Universe15 GEO2226Biogeography and Ecosystems15 NatSci Year 2 - Topic 4 - 2015/6 [see note a above] BIO2088Advanced Cell Biology15 BIO2090Analytical Techniques in Biochemistry15 BIO2091Bioinorganic Chemistry15 BIO2092Genomics and Introductory Bioinformatics15 ECM2707Systems, Series and Transforms15 PHY2029The Physics of Living Systems15 Year 3

60-90 credits of compulsory modules, 30-60 credits of optional modules. You will select either

a NSC3002, NSC3003 and 60 credits of elective modules at least 30 of which must be at level 6. You may select up to 30 credits from the Stage 2 (level 5) optional module list (see above) assuming you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module. You may also take other relevant University modules for which you have the necessary pre-requisites, and with agreement with your Personal Tutor.

or

b (if you are taking a semester abroad) NSC3003, NSC3004 and 30 credits of elective modules. You may select these 30 credits from the Stage 2 (level 5) optional module list (see above) assuming you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module. You may also take other relevant University modules for which you have the necessary pre-requisites, and with agreement with your Personal Tutor.

Compulsory modules CodeModuleCredits NSC3002MSci Research Project 1 Stage 3a30 NSC3003Group Project Stage 3a or Stage 3b30 NSC3004Semester of Science Studies Abroad Stage 3b60 Year 4

60 credits of compulsory modules and 60 credits of optional or elective modules (including NSCM002)

For students enrolled on the MSci, the final year provides an opportunity to continue the individual project started in the third year, working alongside leading scientists at the University. These mentors will provide the academic supervision you require to hone advanced technical laboratory research skills and analytical expertise. Research projects could, for example, be an exploration of the electronic properties of graphene, simulations of extrasolar planets, an investigation of the acoustic properties of lungs or the optical properties of cyano-bacteria. If your project is progressing well, you will be able to extend it further with the aim of publishing your results in the scientific literature.

In year 4 you will also select from a number of optional modules, through which you can explore other areas of interdisciplinary science and expand your ability to think at the frontiers of the scientific disciplines. Intensive two or three week problem-based learning modules will allow your scientific research, analysis and debating skills to be further developed.

Elective modules may be taken from other relevant Masters level (Level 7) University modules for which you have the necessary pre-requisites, and with agreement with your Personal Tutor. You must select a total of 120 credits at Masters level (level 7).

Compulsory modules CodeModuleCredits NSCM001MSci Research Project 2 60 Optional modules CodeModuleCredits NSCM002MSci Research Project 2 Extension 15