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Programme & Unit Catalogues

Department of Physics Programme Catalogue 2015/16


USPH-AFM02: MPhys(Hons) Physics

Leading to the award of MASTER OF PHYSICS

Mode of attendance: Full-time

Normal programme duration: 4 years


Click here for further information Possible DAPs for this programme:

Please see your programme handbook for circumstances where transfer to DAP may be permitted/required.

 

Click here for further informationPossible exit awards for this programme:



Year 1

Click here for further information NFAAR-UG assessment regulations:
  • Transfer to DAP may be possible from this programme year.
  • Main assessment regulations: Appendix 15 PDF format -requires Acrobat Reader to view; Supplementary assessment regulations: Appendix 16 PDF format -requires Acrobat Reader to view.
  • Part 1 Stage 1 of this programme contributes 0% towards the final award classification


Academic Year: Part 1 Stage 1

Designated Essential Units:
PH10102 Experimental physics and computing 1 9 Credits

Semester 1: Part 1 Stage 1

Compulsory Units:
PH10001 Introduction to quantum physics 6 Credits
PH10002 Properties of matter 6 Credits
PH10003 Electronics and data analysis 6 Credits
PH10007 Mathematics for scientists 1 6 Credits

Semester 2: Part 1 Stage 1

Compulsory Units:
PH10004 Dynamics, relativity & gravity 6 Credits
PH10005 Vibrations, waves & optics 6 Credits
PH10006 Electricity & magnetism 6 Credits
PH10008 Mathematics for scientists 2 6 Credits
PH10103 Introduction to astrophysics 3 Credits

Notes:
* Programmes and units may be changed at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* This programme catalogue is applicable for all years of study for the 2015/16 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2016/17 and beyond should not assume that this programme, or its component units, will be delivered in future years in the format displayed here.
* NFAAR assessment regulations are subject to regular review and update. Links given here will provide access to the latest versions of NFAAR documentation. The regulations described in this documentation may not necessarily be those which applied in previous academic years. For detailed information on how the NFAAR was applied to this programme in previous academic years, please contact the relevant Director of Studies.
* Availability of units is subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.


Year 2

Click here for further information NFAAR-UG assessment regulations:
  • Transfer to DAP may be possible from this programme year.
  • Main assessment regulations: Appendix 23 PDF format -requires Acrobat Reader to view; Supplementary assessment regulations: Appendix 24 PDF format -requires Acrobat Reader to view.
  • Part 2 Stage 2 of this programme contributes 16% towards the final award classification


Academic Year: Part 2 Stage 2

Designated Essential Units:
PH20021 Laboratory & information skills 2 9 Credits

Semester 1: Part 2 Stage 2

Compulsory Units:
PH20013 Quantum & atomic physics 6 Credits
PH20016 Particles, nuclei & stars 6 Credits
PH20019 Mathematics for scientists 3 6 Credits
PH20029 Thermal physics 6 Credits

Semester 2: Part 2 Stage 2

Compulsory Units:
PH20014 Electromagnetism 1 6 Credits
PH20015 Semiconductor physics 3 Credits
PH20017 Condensed matter physics 1 6 Credits
PH20018 Programming skills 6 Credits
PH20020 Mathematics for scientists 4 6 Credits

Notes:
* Programmes and units may be changed at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* This programme catalogue is applicable for all years of study for the 2015/16 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2016/17 and beyond should not assume that this programme, or its component units, will be delivered in future years in the format displayed here.
* NFAAR assessment regulations are subject to regular review and update. Links given here will provide access to the latest versions of NFAAR documentation. The regulations described in this documentation may not necessarily be those which applied in previous academic years. For detailed information on how the NFAAR was applied to this programme in previous academic years, please contact the relevant Director of Studies.
* Availability of units is subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.


Year 3

Click here for further information NFAAR-UG assessment regulations:
  • Transfer to DAP may be possible from this programme year.
  • This is the penultimate stage of the programme.
  • Main assessment regulations: Appendix 23 PDF format -requires Acrobat Reader to view; Supplementary assessment regulations: Appendix 24 PDF format -requires Acrobat Reader to view.
  • Part 2 Stage 3 of this programme contributes 34% towards the final award classification


  • Students must take a total of 30 credits in each semester.

  • Semester 1: Part 2 Stage 3

    Compulsory Units:
    PH30030 Quantum mechanics 6 Credits
    Optional Units: Select a minimum of 18 and a maximum of 24 credits from the following list:
    ED30005 Science education in practice 6 Credits
    PH30028 Condensed matter physics 2 6 Credits
    PH30031 Simulation techniques 6 Credits
    PH30032 Laser physics 6 Credits
    PH30101 General relativity 6 Credits
    ZZ30001 Director of Studies approved unit 6 Credits
    Optional Units: Select a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 6 credits from the following list: BLOCK A
    Block A - students must select at least 12 credits in total from the combination of units PH30055, PH30056, and PH30089 (i.e. those in Blocks A and B).
    PH30055 Computational physics A 6 Credits

    Semester 2: Part 2 Stage 3

    Compulsory Units:
    PH30077 Electromagnetism 2 6 Credits
    PH30080 MPhys project/placement preparation 6 Credits
    Optional Units: Select a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 12 credits from the following list:
    PH30025 Mathematical methods 6 Credits
    PH30035 Medical physics 6 Credits
    PH30057 Stellar & galactic astrophysics 6 Credits
    PH30078 Magnetism 3 Credits
    PH30079 Superconductivity 3 Credits
    PH30087 Fluid dynamics 3 Credits
    PH30094 Planetary physics 3 Credits
    PH30098 Networks 3 Credits
    ZZ30004 Director of Studies approved unit 6 Credits
    Optional Units: Select a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 12 credits from the following list: BLOCK B
    Block B - students must select at least 12 credits in total from the combination of units PH30055, PH30056, and PH30089 (i.e. those in Blocks A and B).
    PH30056 Computational physics B 6 Credits
    PH30089 MPhys/MSci laboratory (6 credit) 6 Credits

    Notes:
    * Programmes and units may be changed at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
    * This programme catalogue is applicable for all years of study for the 2015/16 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2016/17 and beyond should not assume that this programme, or its component units, will be delivered in future years in the format displayed here.
    * NFAAR assessment regulations are subject to regular review and update. Links given here will provide access to the latest versions of NFAAR documentation. The regulations described in this documentation may not necessarily be those which applied in previous academic years. For detailed information on how the NFAAR was applied to this programme in previous academic years, please contact the relevant Director of Studies.
    * Availability of units is subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.


    Year 4

    Click here for further information NFAAR-UG assessment regulations:
    • Transfer to DAP may be possible from this programme year.
    • Main assessment regulations: Appendix 27 PDF format -requires Acrobat Reader to view; Supplementary assessment regulations: Appendix 28 PDF format -requires Acrobat Reader to view.
    • Part 3 Stage 4 of this programme contributes 50% towards the final award classification


  • Students must take a total of 30 credits in each semester.

  • Semester 1: Part 3 Stage 4

    Compulsory Units:
    PH40081 MPhys research project 30 Credits

    Semester 2: Part 3 Stage 4

    Compulsory Units:
    PH40073 Mathematical physics 6 Credits
    PH40083 Advanced problem solving 6 Credits
    PH40084 Advanced quantum theory 6 Credits
    PH40085 Nanoscience 6 Credits
    PH40086 Photonics 6 Credits

    Notes:
    * Programmes and units may be changed at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
    * This programme catalogue is applicable for all years of study for the 2015/16 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2016/17 and beyond should not assume that this programme, or its component units, will be delivered in future years in the format displayed here.
    * NFAAR assessment regulations are subject to regular review and update. Links given here will provide access to the latest versions of NFAAR documentation. The regulations described in this documentation may not necessarily be those which applied in previous academic years. For detailed information on how the NFAAR was applied to this programme in previous academic years, please contact the relevant Director of Studies.
    * Availability of units is subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.