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Department of Physics Programme Catalogue 2021/2


USPH-AFM02: MPhys(Hons) Physics

Leading to the award of MASTER OF PHYSICS

Mode of attendance: Full-time

Normal programme duration: 4 years

[Page last updated: 21 April 2021]

Possible DAPs for this programme:

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

 

Possible exit awards for this programme:



Year 1

NFAAR-UG assessment regulations:
  • Transfer to DAP may be possible from this programme year.
  • Main assessment regulations: Appendix 15 [pdf]; Supplementary assessment regulations: Appendix 16 [pdf].
  • Part 1 Stage 1 of this programme contributes 0% towards the final award classification


Academic Year: Part 1 Stage 1

Designated Essential Units:
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
PH10007 Mathematical methods for physics 1 12 credits       [equivalent to 24 CATS credits]
PH10102 Experimental physics and computing 1 12 credits       [equivalent to 24 CATS credits]


Semester 1: Part 1 Stage 1

Compulsory Units:
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
PH10002 Properties of matter 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
PH10003 Electric circuits 3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
PH10004 Classical mechanics 3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
PH10005 Vibrations, waves & optics 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]


Semester 2: Part 1 Stage 1

Compulsory Units:
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
PH10001 Introduction to quantum physics 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
PH10006 Electricity & magnetism 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
PH10103 Relativity and astrophysics 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]


Notes:

  • Programmes and units may be changed in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • This programme catalogue is applicable for all years of study for the 2021/22 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2022/23 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 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.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.


Year 2

NFAAR-UG assessment regulations:
  • Transfer to DAP may be possible from this programme year.
  • Main assessment regulations: Appendix 23 [pdf]; Supplementary assessment regulations: Appendix 24 [pdf].
  • Part 2 Stage 2 of this programme contributes 16% towards the final award classification


Academic Year: Part 2 Stage 2

Designated Essential Units:
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
PH20105 Experimental physics and computing 2 12 credits       [equivalent to 24 CATS credits]
PH20107 Mathematical methods for physics 2 12 credits       [equivalent to 24 CATS credits]


Semester 1: Part 2 Stage 2

Compulsory Units:
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
PH20013 Quantum & atomic physics 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
PH20016 Particles, nuclei & stars 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
PH20029 Thermal physics 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]


Semester 2: Part 2 Stage 2

Compulsory Units:
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
PH20014 Electromagnetism 1 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
PH20017 Condensed matter physics 1 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
PH20104 Planets and exoplanets 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]


Notes:

  • Programmes and units may be changed in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • This programme catalogue is applicable for all years of study for the 2021/22 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2022/23 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 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.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.


Year 3

  • Students must take a total of 30 credits (including compulsory units) in each semester of this programme year.

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]; Supplementary assessment regulations: Appendix 24 [pdf].
  • Part 2 Stage 3 of this programme contributes 34% towards the final award classification


Semester 1: Part 2 Stage 3

Compulsory Units:
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
PH30030 Quantum mechanics 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]

Optional Units: Select a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 12 credits from the following list: BLOCK A
Block A - students must select 12 credits in total from the combination of units in Blocks A and B
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
PH30055 Computational physics A 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
PH30116 Data analysis and research methods for observational astronomy 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]

Optional Units: Select a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 24 credits from the following list:
  • Students registering for ED30005 will be required to pass an enhanced DBS check.
Further information on DoS approved options Director of Studies approved option allowed: students may be permitted to take a Director of Studies approved option as an alternative to one of the units from this list
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
ED30005 Science education in practice 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
PH30028 Condensed matter physics 2 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
PH30031 Simulation techniques 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
PH30035 Medical physics 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
PH30108 Fluid dynamics in physics & astrophysics 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
PH30109 Stars and stellar evolution 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]


Semester 2: Part 2 Stage 3

Compulsory Units:
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
PH30077 Electromagnetism 2 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
PH30080 MPhys project/placement preparation 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]

Optional Units: Select a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 12 credits from the following list: BLOCK B
Block B - students must select 12 credits in total from the combination of units in Blocks A and B
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
PH30056 Computational physics B 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
PH30089 MPhys/MSci laboratory (6 credit) 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
PH30110 Computational astrophysics 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]

Optional Units: Select a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 18 credits from the following list:
Further information on DoS approved options Director of Studies approved option allowed: students may be permitted to take a Director of Studies approved option as an alternative to one of the units from this list
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
PH30025 Mathematical methods 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
PH30032 Laser physics 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
PH30078 Magnetism 3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
PH30079 Superconductivity 3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
PH30098 Networks 3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
PH30101 General relativity 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
PH30111 Galaxies and introduction to cosmology 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]


Notes:

  • Programmes and units may be changed in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • This programme catalogue is applicable for all years of study for the 2021/22 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2022/23 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 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.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.


Year 4

NFAAR-UG assessment regulations:
  • Transfer to DAP may be possible from this programme year.
  • Main assessment regulations: Appendix 27 (Section B) [pdf]; Supplementary assessment regulations: Appendix 28 (Section B) [pdf].
  • Part 3 Stage 4 of this programme contributes 50% towards the final award classification


Semester 1: Part 3 Stage 4

Designated Essential Units:
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
PH40081 MPhys research project 30 credits       [equivalent to 60 CATS credits]


Semester 2: Part 3 Stage 4

Optional Units: Select 30 credits from the following list:
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
PH40073 Mathematical physics 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
PH40083 Advanced problem solving 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
PH40084 Advanced quantum theory 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
PH40085 Nanoscience 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
PH40086 Photonics 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
PH40112 Relativistic cosmology 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
PH40113 High energy astrophysics 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]


Notes:

  • Programmes and units may be changed in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • This programme catalogue is applicable for all years of study for the 2021/22 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2022/23 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 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.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.