Undergraduate study 2013 prospectus

General information

The first two years of the MPhys Physics, BSc Physics, MPhys Engineering Physics and BSc Engineering Physics courses are identical, except that Engineering Physics students will probably want to take an option or two in engineering subjects.

Industrial Placement or European Study

In the four-year BSc (DIS) and five-year MPhys (DIS), the industrial placement or study abroad is taken after the second year of academic study.

Throughout both the MPhys and BSc courses, about one sixth of the work is laboratory based (not including the computing modules which are taught ‘hands-on’ in computing laboratories). A variety of experimental and project work is undertaken, aimed at teaching practical and communication skills, illustrating theory and giving practice in report writing.

Career Prospects

The Physics MPhys provides the best foundation for graduates aiming for a career as a professional physicist and for those going on to PhD research. A degree in physics, or a physics-related subject, can lead to many and varied career opportunities. 

Recent employers of our graduates include British Gas Research, Coopers Lybrand Deloitte, Thames Water plc, British Antarctic Survey, Schlumberger Technologies, Plastic Coatings plc, STC Submarine Systems, Siemens AG, West Midlands Health Authority, Local Education Authorities and the European Patent Office. Many of our graduates undertake MSc courses or PhD research.

Course structure

Year 1

The main subjects studied are:

• Mechanics
• Electricity and Magnetism 
• Light
• Atomic and Thermal Physics
• Astronomy
• Information Skills 
• History and Philosophy of Science
• Mathematics
• Laboratories
• Computing

Year 2

This year includes modules in:

• Quantum Mechanics
• Fields
• Waves
• Solid State Physics
• Nuclear Physics
• Thermal Physics
• Electronics
• Engineering Computation
• Science of the Internet
• Mathematics
• Laboratories

Throughout both the MPhys and BSc Physics courses, you can opt to choose modules outside of physics. Any module from the University’s extensive catalogue of modules can be chosen with the agreement of your Course Tutor and the department concerned.

Years 3 and 4

In the third year of study, the MPhys and BSc Physics and Engineering Physics courses diverge. In the third (and final) year of study in the BSc Physics course you undertake a major experimental or theoretical project, which is an opportunity to get to grips with a substantial real problem.

The optional modules currently offered by the Department include:

• Cosmology
• Electromagnetism
• Statistical and Low Temperature Physics
• Surfaces, Thin Films and High Vacuum
• Quantum Computing
• Elementary Particle Physics
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Modern Optics
• Quantum Physics
• Fundamentals of Quantum Information.

In addition, modules can be selected from the wide range offered by other departments.

The third and fourth years of the MPhys Physics course give a thorough preparation for research work in industry or on a PhD course. The coverage of physics is both broader and deeper than in the BSc course and includes a wider range of options. 

There is training in advanced laboratory techniques with a full-time research project occupying half of the final year. The project can be experimental or theoretical and can be done at Loughborough or in an industrial or external research environment or a university abroad.

In addition to the options offered on the BSc version, advanced optional modules are available in the areas of Condensed Matter Physics, Fluid Mechanics, Relativity and Mathematics. Furthermore, as in the first two years of study, you can choose modules from a wide range available from other departments.

Study options and entry requirements

Here you will find information about the various study options available for this course and the entry requirements for each option.

SQA = Scottish Qualifications Authority IB = International Baccalaureate