Physics with Extended Studies in Europe

Bachelor's degree

In Belfast City

£ 9,250 + VAT

Description

  • Type

    Bachelor's degree

  • Location

    Belfast city (Northern Ireland)

  • Duration

    4 Years

  • Start date

    Different dates available

Overview "Physics is an enabling discipline showing how to do things thought impossible and helping others refine their approach. Physics is to the rest of science what machine tools are to engineering." Sir John Pendry "Physics allows us to write with a piece of chalk on a blackboard the very structure of the universe and the shape of it. I mean… What's not to love?" Dara O'Briain Physics studies how the universe works - from the smallest atomic nucleus to the largest galaxy. It includes conceptual challenges such as quantum theory, relativity and chaos theory, and lies at the heart of most modern technology - for example the computer, the laser and the Internet. The Department of Physics and Astronomy has the highest teaching standards and is recognised nationally as being one of the leading centres for research. Physics at Queen's obtained an excellent grade in the last subject-based Teaching Quality Assessment exercise, while in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise 88 per cent of the scientific research carried out by staff was internationally excellent or world-leading. All students are taught by the scientists whose work will be in the next generation of textbooks. This strong link between research and teaching in Physics at Queen's means our graduates obtain one of the best degrees available for understanding our recent scientific advances, and can play an important role in our increasingly technological society. Why Queen's?Accreditation: our Physics degrees are fully accredited by the Institute of Physics, except for Applied Mathematics and Physics. These are recognised by the Institute, and students' individual degrees may be accredited depending on module choices at Stage 2 and above. Study Abroad: Physics with Extended Studies in Europe includes a year spent studying abroad. Scholarships and Bursaries: students in the School can...

Facilities

Location

Start date

Belfast City (County Antrim)
See map
University Road, BT7 1NN

Start date

Different dates availableEnrolment now open

About this course

Entry Requirements   Selection Criteria In addition to the entrance requirements below, it is essential that you read the How We Choose Our Students pdf prior to submitting your UCAS application.  Entrance Requirements BSc Options Applied Mathematics and Physics Theoretical Physics A-level: A (Mathematics) BB including Physics Irish Leaving Certificate: H2H3H3H3H3 including Higher Level grade H2 in Mathematics and H3 in Physics Physics with Extended Studies in Europe A-level: BBB including Mathematics and Physics For French...

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Subjects

  • GCSE Physics
  • Teaching
  • Project
  • Mathematics
  • GCSE Mathematics
  • Astrophysics
  • Quality Training
  • Quality
  • Medical training
  • Medical
  • Accredited
  • Options
  • Approach
  • Staff

Course programme

Course Content (including module information)

BSc Degrees

Physics may be studied either as a Single Honours degree, as Physics, Physics with Astrophysics, Physics with Medical Applications, Physics with Extended Studies in Europe, Theoretical Physics; or depending on choice of Stage 1 modules, as a Joint Honours degree in conjunction with Applied Mathematics or Computer Science.

Stage 1

In their first year students study a core of modern Physics and Applied Mathematics, and, if desired, a third subject such as Computer Science. Physics topics include:

  • Classical Mechanics
  • Electromagnetism
  • Light and Optics
  • Quantum Theory
  • Relativity
  • Solid State Physics
  • Thermal Physics

Practical work will be performed in our new state-of-the-art teaching centre laboratories. Here students will encounter the physical phenomena learned about in their lectures, as well as computer programming.

Tutorials, based around the lecture courses, give experience in problem-solving and verbal and written communication. Within the course students will receive basic skills training in writing, presentations and personal/career development.

Stages 2 and 3

At Stage 2, according to degree selection, modules are taken which reveal the excitement of such areas as:

  • Astrophysics I
  • Atomic and Nuclear Physics
  • Quantum Physics
  • Optics, Electricity and Magnetism
  • Physics of the Solid State

Advanced Laboratory work develops the skills of planning, carrying out and analysing experiments and simulations, and provides opportunities for deepening understanding of the wide applicability of physics.

At Stage 3, a choice of modules is made to develop in-depth understanding of such areas as:

  • Astrophysics II
  • Advanced Electromagnetism and Optics
  • Nuclear and Particle Physics
  • Physics in Medicine
  • Quantum Mechanics and Relativity
  • Advanced Solid State Physics
  • Professional Skills

Project work entails a major experimental or computational investigation of a particular physics problem; in conjunction with this a project report and associated poster are produced to a professional standard.

MSci (Master in Science)

These four-year degrees are aimed at the more able and committed students who intend to practise the profession of physics in research and development, in industry or academia, at the highest level.

Single Honours MSci options are available in Physics, Physics with Medical Applications, Physics with Astrophysics, Physics with Extended Studies in Europe and Theoretical Physics. A Joint Honours MSci option is also available in Applied Mathematics and Physics.

Transfer from the three-year BSc degree to the MSci is permitted up to the end of Stage 2. Students who successfully complete the four-year MSci qualify for the degree of MSci (Hons) in the relevant option.

Stages 1 and 2 are identical to those for the BSc degree.

At Stage 3, a selection is made from the modules listed with the BSc pathway. This includes a Professional Skills module, where important scientific skills such as report writing, presentations and peer-review are further developed. MSci students also have the opportunity to undertake a Computational project module, which will introduce them to numerical simulations that are fundamental to all areas of physics today.

At Stage 4, specialist modules are available,broadly reflecting research interests of those teaching in the Department. These modules include:

Cosmology

High-Energy Astrophysics Laser Physics

Medical Radiation Research Methods Molecular Physics

Planetary Systems Plasma Physics

The Physics of Nanomaterials Ultrafast Science

Also in this year, a major project is carried out in association with one of these research centres, with the student working within the world-leading research groups. Through this project students gain an intensive insight into modern scientific research.

Assessment & Feedback

Assessment (general): The way in which students are assessed will vary according to the Learning objectives of each module. Some modules are assessed solely through project work or written assignments. Others are assessed through a combination of coursework and end of semester examinations. Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students during their first year induction.

Feedback (general): As students progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and your peers. University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:

  • Feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that students, as individuals or as part of a group, have submitted.
  • Face to face comment. This may include occasions when students make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help address a specific query.
  • Placement employer comments or references.
  • Online or emailed comment.
  • General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
  • Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid. In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which students can review in their own time.
  • Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.
  • Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as, Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.

Once students have reviewed their feedback, they are encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of their work.

Learning and Teaching

At the beginning of all physics courses all students study core areas of physics and mathematics to give a common foundation for specialization as the course progresses. Several different degree programmes are available, but with the common core material it is frequently possible to switch from one physics course to another at the end of the first year. The high level of research in the Department feeds through to making the undergraduate courses up-to-date, relevant and interesting.

The physics course covers a wide range of areas within the subject with advanced options in higher years. There is also include extensive practical and project work, with a very wide range of skills development leading to many careers options.

Additional information

Career Prospects Physics graduates earn 14 per cent more on average than other graduates (HESA 2014). They have a significantly lower unemployment rate on qualification and over a lifetime, only graduates in medicine or law earn more than those with a physics degree (Institute of Physics Careers Survey 2012). Physics-related jobs are available in research, development, and general production in many high technology and related industries. These include medicine, biotechnology, electronics, optics, aerospace, computation and nuclear technology....

Physics with Extended Studies in Europe

£ 9,250 + VAT