BSc Mathematics and Physics / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course description

Our BSc Mathematics and Physics degree provides an opportunity to study two key subjects in depth - at a university with a fantastic reputation for both.

You will study a broad range of topics across both disciplines. In applied mathematics, for example, you can cover hydrodynamics, waves, elasticity and modelling of industrial processes. For theoretical physics you can study, among others, high energy particle physics, nuclear physics and quark matter, and field theory in curved space-time.

Our physics department is recognised as one of the very best in the UK, and we have one of the largest mathematics departments in the country - so you can explore a huge range of areas.

You will have access to an incredible array of facilities - including our £43 million built-for-purpose Alan Turing Building, designed with input from mathematics staff and students alike - and will be taught by teachers with a wide variety of research interests. Our strong links with industry include an annual maths-specific careers fair and an employer interview programme.

Aims

  • You will study two key disciplines, mathematics and physics, in depth - covering a broad range of topics in both.
  • We will provide access to a fantastic array of facilities, and you will work with leading academics in both mathematics and physics.
  • You will draw on the combined expertise of three centres of University excellence.

Special features

A range of study options

You can extend your degree by a year to undertake an integrated master's: at the beginning of your third year there is the possibility of transferring to the four-year MMath/Phys (Mathematics and Physics) course.

Excellent facilities

Learn in the fantastic Alan Turing Building - a modern, £43 million building designed to provide an ideal learning space for mathematics students.

Teaching and learning

The course is designed for students who wish to study both mathematics and physics in depth. You will attend lectures, tutorials, example classes and laboratory sessions, covering a broad range of topics in both subjects.

Coursework and assessment

Course units are normally assessed formally at the end of the semester via examinations. Laboratory or computer-based course units also employ assignments and other methods of continuous assessment.

Course unit details

You can find out more information about the course units included in your chosen degree course below.

Note that not every combination of option choices may be possible due to timetable clashes.

Course content for year 1

Course units for year 1

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Linear Algebra MATH11022 20 Mandatory
Mathematical Foundation & Analysis MATH11121 20 Mandatory
Introduction to Vector Calculus MATH11411 10 Mandatory
Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations MATH11412 10 Mandatory
Dynamics PHYS10101 10 Mandatory
Quantum Physics and Relativity PHYS10121 10 Mandatory
Year 1 Lab Work (One Semester) PHYS10280 10 Mandatory
Vibrations & Waves PHYS10302 10 Mandatory
Electricity & Magnetism PHYS10342 10 Mandatory
Introduction to Programming PHYS10362 10 Mandatory

Course content for year 2

Course units for year 2

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
2P1: Complex Analysis MATH29141 10 Mandatory
Introduction to Quantum Mechanics PHYS20101 10 Mandatory
Electromagnetism PHYS20141 10 Mandatory
Fundamentals of Solid State Physics PHYS20252 10 Mandatory
Year 2 Lab Work (One Semester) PHYS20280 10 Mandatory
Wave Optics PHYS20312 10 Mandatory
Statistical Mechanics PHYS20352 10 Mandatory
Programming with Python MATH20621 10 Optional
Metric Spaces MATH21111 10 Optional
Rings & Fields MATH21112 10 Optional
Groups and Geometry MATH21120 20 Optional
Numerical Analysis 1 MATH24411 10 Optional
Fluid Mechanics MATH24412 10 Optional
Partial Differential Equations & Vector Calculus MATH24420 20 Optional
Introduction to Programming for Physicists PHYS20161 10 Optional
Mathematics of Waves and Fields PHYS20171 10 Optional
Displaying 10 of 16 course units for year 2

Course content for year 3

Course units for year 3

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Introduction to Programming for Physicists PHYS20161 10 Mandatory
Introduction to Nuclear and Particle Physics PHYS30121 10 Mandatory
General Physics Skills PHYS30302 10 Mandatory
Quantum Computing COMP39112 10 Optional
Planetary Evolution EART35202 10 Optional
Climate and Energy: Past, Present and Future EART36002 10 Optional
Information visions: past, present and future HSTM20282 10 Optional
The Nuclear Age: Global Nuclear Threats from Hiroshima to Today HSTM31212 10 Optional
Introduction to Financial Mathematics MATH20912 10 Optional
Metric Spaces MATH21111 10 Optional
Project (Semester 2) MATH30022 10 Optional
Linear Analysis MATH31002 10 Optional
Fractal Geometry MATH31042 10 Optional
Topology MATH31051 10 Optional
Group Theory MATH32001 10 Optional
Commutative Algebra MATH32012 10 Optional
Coding Theory MATH32031 10 Optional
Hyperbolic Geometry MATH32052 10 Optional
Algebraic Geometry MATH32062 10 Optional
Number Theory MATH32072 10 Optional
Combinatorics and Graph Theory MATH32091 10 Optional
Green's Functions, Integral Equations and Applications MATH34031 10 Optional
Wave Motion MATH35012 10 Optional
Elasticity MATH35021 10 Optional
Mathematical Biology MATH35031 10 Optional
Mathematics of a Finite Planet MATH35062 10 Optional
Symmetry in Geometry and Nature MATH35082 10 Optional
Matrix Analysis MATH36001 10 Optional
Problem Solving by Computer MATH36031 10 Optional
Convex Optimization MATH36062 10 Optional
Advanced Technology Enterprise MCEL30012 10 Optional
Lagrangian Dynamics PHYS20401 10 Optional
Exoplanets PHYS20792 10 Optional
Condensed Matter Physics PHYS30051 10 Optional
Applications of Quantum Physics PHYS30101 10 Optional
Mathematical Fundamentals of Quantum Mechanics PHYS30201 10 Optional
Yr 3 Physics Laboratory (One block) PHYS30280 10 Optional
Cosmology PHYS30392 10 Optional
Electrodynamics (M) PHYS30441 10 Optional
Physics of Medical Imaging PHYS30632 10 Optional
Physics of Fluids PHYS30652 10 Optional
Stars and Stellar Evolution PHYS30692 10 Optional
Physics of Living Processes PHYS30732 10 Optional
Object-Oriented Programming in C++ PHYS30762 10 Optional
BSc dissertation PHYS30880 10 Optional
Advanced Quantum Mechanics PHYS40202 10 Optional
Particle Physics PHYS40222 10 Optional
Nuclear Physics PHYS40322 10 Optional
Applied Nuclear Physics PHYS40422 10 Optional
Mathematical Methods for Physics PHYS40672 10 Optional
Semiconductor Quantum Structures PHYS40712 10 Optional
Physics and Reality PHYS41702 10 Optional
Displaying 10 of 52 course units for year 3

What our students say

Find out what it's like to study at Manchester by visiting the Department of Physics and Astronomy blog

Facilities

You will benefit from an excellent range of facilities available across both physics and mathematics - including the £43 million Alan Turing Building, which has been purpose-built with input from mathematics staff and students to provide an optimal learning environment.

The University of Manchester also offers extensive library and online services , helping you get the most out of your studies.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk