MMath&Phys Mathematics and Physics / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course description

Our MMath&Phys Mathematics and Physics degree provides an opportunity to study two key subjects in depth - at a university with a fantastic reputation for both - leading to master's level qualification.

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 and to master's level - 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

The University holds undergraduate open days regularly, giving you the opportunity to find out more about our courses, the support we offer, and our facilities. Attending an open day is a great way to find out what studying at Manchester is all about. Find out about our upcoming open days .

View the recent undergraduate virtual open week recorded sessions.  

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
Climate and Energy: Past, Present and Future EART36002 10 Optional
Introduction to Financial Mathematics MATH20912 10 Optional
Metric Spaces MATH21111 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
Mathematical Logic MATH33021 20 Optional
Green's Functions, Integral Equations and Applications MATH34031 10 Optional
Viscous Fluid Flow MATH35002 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
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
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 47 course units for year 3

Course content for year 4

Course units for year 4

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
Climate and Energy: Past, Present and Future EART36002 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
Mathematical Logic MATH33021 20 Optional
Green's Functions, Integral Equations and Applications MATH34031 10 Optional
Viscous Fluid Flow MATH35002 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
Project (Semester 1) MATH40011 15 Optional
Project (Semester 2) MATH40022 15 Optional
Computational Finance MATH40082 15 Optional
Fourier Analysis & Lebesgue Integration MATH41011 15 Optional
Differentiable Manifolds MATH41061 15 Optional
Algebraic Topology MATH41072 15 Optional
Noncommutative Algebra MATH42042 15 Optional
Representation and Characters of Groups MATH42061 15 Optional
Lie Algebras MATH42112 15 Optional
Galois Theory MATH42121 15 Optional
Algebraic Number Theory MATH42132 15 Optional
Computation and Complexity MATH43011 15 Optional
Dynamical Systems MATH44041 15 Optional
Introduction to Uncertainty Quantification MATH44071 15 Optional
Advanced Uncertainty Quantification MATH44082 15 Optional
Stability Theory MATH45032 15 Optional
Continuum Mechanics MATH45062 15 Optional
Transport Phenomena and Conservation Laws MATH45122 15 Optional
Approximation Theory and Finite Element Analysis MATH46052 15 Optional
Numerical Linear Algebra MATH46101 15 Optional
Numerical Optimisation & Inverse Problems MATH46132 15 Optional
Scientific Computing MATH49111 15 Optional
Exoplanets PHYS20792 10 Optional
Cosmology PHYS30392 10 Optional
Introduction to Non-linear Physics PHYS30471 10 Optional
Nuclear Fusion and Astrophysical Plasmas PHYS30511 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
MPhys Project PHYS40181 20 Optional
MPhys Project PHYS40182 20 Optional
Particle Physics PHYS40222 10 Optional
Nuclear Physics PHYS40322 10 Optional
Frontiers of Solid State Physics PHYS40411 10 Optional
Nuclear Structure and Exotic Nuclei PHYS40421 10 Optional
Applied Nuclear Physics PHYS40422 10 Optional
Superconductors and Superfluids PHYS40451 10 Optional
Quantum Field Theory (M) PHYS40481 10 Optional
Frontiers of Particle Physics I PHYS40521 10 Optional
Advanced Statistical Physics PHYS40571 10 Optional
Radio Astronomy PHYS40591 10 Optional
Frontiers of Photon Science PHYS40611 10 Optional
Nuclear Forces and Reactions PHYS40622 10 Optional
Laser Photomedicine PHYS40631 10 Optional
Atomic Physics PHYS40642 10 Optional
Gauge Theories (M) PHYS40682 10 Optional
Semiconductor Quantum Structures PHYS40712 10 Optional
Frontiers of Particle Physics II PHYS40722 10 Optional
Biomaterials/Biophysics PHYS40732 10 Optional
Soft Matter Physics PHYS40752 10 Optional
Gravitation PHYS40771 10 Optional
Early Universe PHYS40772 10 Optional
Galaxy Formation PHYS40992 10 Optional
Physics and Reality PHYS41702 10 Optional
Displaying 10 of 78 course units for year 4

What our students say

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

Facilities

A range of study options

It is possible to transfer to the three-year BSc Mathematics and Physics course at the beginning of your third year, if you so wish.

Excellent facilities

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

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