Physics and Music (BSc)

The BSc Physics and Music degree programme is designed to give a broad-based education in theoretical and experimental physics combined with knowledge of the practical and theoretical aspects of music. This programme of study will allow you to combine one third Music (40 credits) with two thirds Physics (80 credits) in each year of the programme.

You will cover the core Mathematics and Physics material throughout the three years of study. Most of the modules in Physics are prescribed, but in Music you have considerable choice from such areas as composition, performance, theory and analysis, ethnomusicology and music history. There is special tuition in studio techniques as well as the acoustical aspects of music and musical instruments. In addition there are practical sessions in Music and Physics and you are expected to take part in music-making.

Year one

Core modulesModule titleModule codeCreditsMathematical Methods For Physicists IIPX122210 creditsExperimental Physics IPX112310 creditsMathematical Methods For Physicists IPX112210 creditsMechanics and MatterPX112120 creditsComputational Skills For Problem SolvingPX122410 creditsElectricity, Magnetism and WavesPX122120 creditsOptional modules

Module titleModule codeCreditsComposition 1AMU110710 creditsComposition 1BMU120810 creditsFundamental AcousticsMU121710 creditsPractical Musicianship IMU131410 creditsElements of Tonal Music IMU112520 creditsElements of Tonal Music IIMU122720 creditsRepertoire StudiesMU131720 creditsThe Full WorksMU112710 creditsA HISTORY OF POPULAR MUSICMU122610 creditsETHNOMUSICOLOGY I: MUSIC IN HUMAN LIFEMU112410 creditsFrom Page To Stage: Dramaturgy in Musical TheatreMU123010 creditsYear two

Core modulesModule titleModule codeCreditsIntroduction to Condensed Matter PhysicsPX223610 creditsIntermediate Practical Physics IPX213310 creditsOpticsPX223210 creditsIntroductory Quantum MechanicsPX213210 creditsThermal and Statistical PhysicsPX223120 creditsThe Physics of Fields and FlowsPX213120 creditsOptional modules

Module titleModule codeCreditsHarmonic Practice (1750-1900)MU211410 creditsContrapuntal Practice (1750-1900)MU222410 creditsComposition IIMU232020 creditsAnalysing 20th Century MusicMU215210 creditsStudio Techniques I : Midi and SynthesisersMU215310 creditsStudio Techniques I : Midi and SynthesisersMU226110 creditsFormal Functions in The Classical TraditionMU215720 creditsPractical Musicianship I IMU235520 creditsMUSIC SOUNDED OUT: INTERPRETING ORAL AND RECORDED GENRES AND FORMSMU235620 creditsORCHESTRATIONMU216120 creditsTopics in Musicology 2AMU216220 creditsMUSIC AND IDEA: FROM ENLIGHTENMENT TO ROMANTICISMMU216320 creditsThe Business of Music IMU216410 creditsTopics in Musicology 2BMU227020 creditsETHNOMUSICOLOGY II: Music in Cross-Cultural PerspectiveMU227120 creditsThe Business of Music IIMU227220 creditsJazz in the Modern WorldMU227320 creditsMusic and Idea: from Enlightenment to RomanticismMU216610 creditsReading Film SoundMU227410 creditsYear three

Core modulesModule titleModule codeCreditsAcoustics and Studio SoundPX314810 creditsAtomic and Nuclear PhysicsPX314120 creditsParticle Physics and Special RelativityPX324120 creditsPhysics ProjectPX331520 creditsOptional modules

Module titleModule codeCreditsPractical Musicianship III (Ensemble)MU313710 creditsCase Studies in Performance PracticeMU315410 creditsFugueMU333020 creditsDissertationMU334030 creditsCase Studies in Performance PracticeMU315820 creditsPractical Musicianship IV (Performance)MU334420 creditsProject in Music AnalysisMU334330 creditsStudio Techniques II : Audio and Hard Disk RecordingMU316320 creditsComposition IvMU334520 credits20th Century Contrapuntal PracticeMU316410 creditsProject in EthnomusicologyMU334630 creditsThe Birth of ModernismMU314910 creditsThe Birth of ModernismMU316520 creditsWagner and Romantic OperaMU327410 creditsWagner and Romantic OperaMU327520 creditsLaser Physics and Non-Linear OpticsPX324310 creditsTheoretical PhysicsPX324810 creditsStatistical MechanicsPX324910 creditsEnvironmental PhysicsPX325010 creditsTopics in Musicology 3AMU316720 creditsTopics in Musicology 3AMU316610 creditsTopics in Musicology 3BMU327610 creditsTopics in Musicology 3BMU327720 creditsStudio Techniques II: Audio and Hard Disk RecordingMU326720 creditsNotation and Editing of Early MusicMU327320 credits The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.