BSc Physics / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course description

Join one of the most respected Department of Physics in the country and enjoy the flexibility, choice and challenge of our BSc Physics degree.

In Years 1 and 2, the course provides a foundation in classical physics, including dynamics, waves, electromagnetism and thermodynamics. At the same time newer concepts are introduced, including the unification of space and time, the meaning of wave-particle duality and the relation between entropy and disorder. You will be taught this introduction through course units in special relativity, quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics. 

These modern concepts and the techniques of classical physics lay the foundation for study in Year 3, during which you can choose from a wide range of options to develop your expertise in diverse topics that include: atomic and molecular structure, solid state electronic devices, electro-magnetic radiation, lasers, stars and cosmology, particle and nuclear physics, and the more advanced aspects of theoretical physics.

Working with leading academics and accessing our incredible facilities, you will be well placed to progress along your physics journey.

Aims

  • We will provide you with a solid foundation in classical physics and introduce newer ideas such as the unification of space and time, and the meaning of wave-particle duality.
  • You will choose from a wide range of options in Year 3, specially designed to develop your expertise in a diverse number of topics.
  • We will provide access to a fantastic array of facilities, and you will work with world-leading physics academics.

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 MPhys course.

Choice and flexibility

You will cover the basics of classical physics and progress to modern, diverse topics - including atomic and molecular structure, electro-magnetic radiation, lasers, stars and cosmology, and particle and nuclear physics.

Outstanding reputation

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Manchester has an excellent international reputation, and a qualification from us can be your passport to a successful career anywhere in the world.

Teaching and learning

You will undertake a variety of timetabled activities, including lectures, laboratory work, tutorials, workshops and examples classes.

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 very combination of options 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
Mathematics 1 PHYS10071 10 Mandatory
Dynamics PHYS10101 10 Mandatory
Quantum Physics and Relativity PHYS10121 10 Mandatory
Year 1 Lab Work (All Yr) PHYS10180 20 Mandatory
Introduction to Astrophysics and Cosmology PHYS10191 10 Mandatory
Vibrations & Waves PHYS10302 10 Mandatory
Electricity & Magnetism PHYS10342 10 Mandatory
Introduction to Programming PHYS10362 10 Mandatory
Mathematics 2 PHYS10372 10 Mandatory
Fundamentals of Management BMAN10011 10 Optional
Microeconomics 1 ECON10221 10 Optional
Macroeconomics 1 ECON10252 10 Optional
Science & the Modern World HSTM10221 10 Optional
Physics in Everyday Life PHYS10461 10 Optional
Random Processes in Physics PHYS10471 10 Optional
Physics of Energy Sources PHYS10622 10 Optional
Advanced Dynamics PHYS10672 10 Optional
Physics of the Solar System PHYS10692 10 Optional
Introduction to Data Science PHYS10792 10 Optional
Displaying 10 of 19 course units for year 1

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
Introduction to Quantum Mechanics PHYS20101 10 Mandatory
Electromagnetism PHYS20141 10 Mandatory
Introduction to Programming for Physicists PHYS20161 10 Mandatory
Mathematics of Waves and Fields PHYS20171 10 Mandatory
Year 2 Lab Work (All Yr) PHYS20180 20 Mandatory
Fundamentals of Solid State Physics PHYS20252 10 Mandatory
Wave Optics PHYS20312 10 Mandatory
Statistical Mechanics PHYS20352 10 Mandatory
Biodiversity BIOL10511 10 Optional
Atmospheric Physics and Weather EART23001 10 Optional
Microeconomics 1 ECON10221 10 Optional
Science & the Modern World HSTM10221 10 Optional
Information visions: past, present and future HSTM20282 10 Optional
Introduction to Financial Mathematics MATH20912 10 Optional
Fluid Mechanics MATH24412 10 Optional
Exploring Enterprise MCEL10001 10 Optional
Physics of Energy Sources PHYS10622 10 Optional
Advanced Dynamics PHYS10672 10 Optional
Physics of the Solar System PHYS10692 10 Optional
Introduction to Data Science PHYS10792 10 Optional
Lagrangian Dynamics PHYS20401 10 Optional
Galaxies PHYS20491 10 Optional
Introduction to Photonics PHYS20612 10 Optional
Complex Variables and Vector Spaces PHYS20672 10 Optional
Computational Physics PHYS20762 10 Optional
Exoplanets PHYS20792 10 Optional
Displaying 10 of 26 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 Nuclear and Particle Physics PHYS30121 10 Mandatory
Yr3 Physics Laboratory Work (All Year) PHYS30180 20 Mandatory
General Physics Skills PHYS30302 10 Mandatory
BSc dissertation PHYS30880 10 Mandatory
Quantum Computing COMP39112 10 Optional
Comparative Planetology EART30232 10 Optional
Meteorology and Forecasting EART31201 10 Optional
Origin of the Solar System EART32201 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
Wave Motion MATH35012 10 Optional
Elasticity MATH35021 10 Optional
Tools and Techniques for Enterprise MCEL30001 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
Electromagnetic Radiation PHYS30141 10 Optional
Mathematical Fundamentals of Quantum Mechanics PHYS30201 10 Optional
Cosmology PHYS30392 10 Optional
Electrodynamics (M) PHYS30441 10 Optional
Introduction to Non-linear Physics PHYS30471 10 Optional
Nuclear Fusion and Astrophysical Plasmas PHYS30511 10 Optional
Lasers and Photonics PHYS30611 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
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 39 course units for year 3

Scholarships and bursaries

The University of Manchester is committed to attracting and supporting the very best students. We have a focus on nurturing talent and ability and we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to study here, regardless of your financial circumstances.

For information about scholarships and bursaries please visit our undergraduate student finance pages and our Department funding pages .

What our students say

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

Facilities

Make the most of a fantastic array of facilities that rival those of leading Departments across the world. They include the world-famous Jodrell Bank Observatory and a new £10 million extension to our Schuster Laboratory.

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