Philosophy and Physics

A Joint Honours degree allows you to study the same core topics as students on each Single Honours course, but you’ll take fewer options and discovery modules so you can fit in both subjects.

Your first year will lay the foundations for the rest of your degree, as you study key areas in each subject. You’ll learn how to construct arguments and explore key issues in philosophy, as well as undertaking practical lab modules and being introduced to topics like quantum mechanics and thermal physics.

From this foundation, you’ll build your knowledge and skills over the next two years with a wider range of choice. You’ll choose a central philosophy module to study and then be free to focus on whichever area suits you, ranging from logic, philosophy of science, philosophy of mind and ethics to philosophy of religion. At the same time, you’ll take core modules on major topics in physics such as electromagnetism or particle physics. In both subjects, you’ll also have a choice of optional modules, covering areas from philosophy of science to the ethics of life and death.

Throughout the degree, you’ll develop your mathematical, analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as learning to think clearly, construct effective arguments and conduct independent research. You’ll have the chance to showcase these skills in your final year research project.

Course structure

These are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

Modules Year 1

You’ll choose from a wide range of optional modules while maintaining a balance across your subjects. Follow the links to the Programme Catalogue for more example optional modules and the full course structure.

Compulsory modules

• How to Think Clearly and Argue Well 20 credits
• Physics 1 25 credits
• Vibrations and Waves (Geophysics) 10 credits
• Laboratory 1a (Joint Honours and Geophysics) 5 credits
• Maths 1 10 credits
• Maths 2 10 credits
• Introduction to Academic Skills 5 credits

Optional modules

Examples of the optional modules available are shown below. Please contact us for more details of the requirements and choices available.

• Introduction to the History of Science 10 credits
• The Good, the Bad, the Right, the Wrong 20 credits
• Knowledge, Self and Reality 20 credits
• How Science Works 10 credits
• Great Philosophical Thinkers 20 credits

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Quantum Mechanics (Joint Honours) 15 credits
• Maths 3 10 credits

Optional modules

Examples of the optional modules available are shown below. Please contact us for more details of the requirements and choices available.

• Formal Logic 20 credits
• Topics in Epistemology: Theory and Evidence 20 credits
• Realism and Antirealism 20 credits
• Physics Laboratory 3 10 credits
• Physics 3 25 credits
• Electromagnetism (Joint Honours) 15 credits

Year 3

Compulsory modules

• Final Year Project