Master of Physics (MPhys)

MPhys Physics

Join a physics Department of international renown that offers great choice and flexibility, leading to master's qualification.

  • Duration: 4 years
  • Year of entry: 2025
  • UCAS course code: F305 / Institution code: M20
  • Key features:
  • Scholarships available
  • Accredited course

Full entry requirementsHow to apply

Fees and funding

Fees

Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2025 will be £9,535 per annum (subject to Parliamentary approval). Tuition fees for international students will be £36,500 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

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 .

Course unit details:
Quantum Physics and Relativity

Course unit fact file
Unit code PHYS10121
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 1
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

Quantum Physics and Relativity

Aims

  1. To explain the need for and introduce the principles of the Special Theory of Relativity.
  2. To develop the ability to use the Special Theory of Relativity to solve a variety of problems in relativistic kinematics and dynamics.
  3. To explain the need for a Quantum Theory and to introduce the basic ideas of the theory.
  4. to develop the ability to apply simple ideas in quantum theory to solve a variety of physical problems.

Learning outcomes

On completion successful students will be able to:

  1. define the notion of an inertial frame and the concept of an observer. 
  2. state the principles of Special Relativity and use them to derive time dilation and length contraction. 
  3. perform calculations using the Lorentz transformation formulae
  4. define relativistic energy and momentum, and use these to solve problems in mechanics. 
  5. perform calculations using four-vectors. 
  6. use the ideas of wave-particle duality and the uncertainty princple to solve problems in quantum mechanics. 
  7. perform calculations using the quantum wave- function of a particle moving in one dimension, including making use of the momentum operator. 
  8. use the Bohr formula to calculate energies and wavelengths in the context of atomic hydrogen. 

Syllabus

Relativity

  • Galilean relativity, inertial frames and the concept of an observer.
  • The principles of Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity
  • Lorentz transformations: time dilation and length contraction.
  • Velocity transformations and the Doppler effect.
  • Spacetime and four-vectors.
  • Energy and momentum with applications in particle and nuclear physics.

 

Quantum Physics

  • Basic properties of atoms and molecules. Atomic units. Avogadro’s number.
  • The wavefunction and the role of probability.
  • Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle and the de Broglie relation.
  • The momentum operator and the time-independent Schrödinger equation: the infinite square well.
  • Applications in atomic, nuclear and particle physics: energy levels spectra and lifetimes.

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Other 10%
Written exam 90%

Feedback methods

Feedback will be offered by tutors on students’ written solutions to weekly examples sheets, and model answers will be issued.

Recommended reading

Recommended text

Forshaw, J.R. & Smith, G, Dynamics & Relativity (John Wiley & Sons)

Young, H.D. & Freedman, R.A., University Physics (Addison-Wesley)

 

Supplementary texts:

Cox, B.E. & Forshaw, J.R. Why does E=mc²? (and why should we care?) (Da Capo)

Cox, B.E. & Forshaw, J.R. The Quantum Universe (Allen Lane)

Rindler, W. Relativity: Special, General & Cosmological (Oxford)

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Assessment written exam 1.5
Lectures 22
Tutorials 6
Independent study hours
Independent study 70.5

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Jeffrey Forshaw Unit coordinator
Brian Cox Unit coordinator

Additional notes

* 10% Tutorial Work/attendance 

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