- UCAS course code
- F305
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Master of Physics (MPhys)
MPhys Physics
Join a physics Department of international renown that offers great choice and flexibility, leading to master's qualification.
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Duration: 4 years
Year of entry: 2025
UCAS course code: F305 / Institution code: M20
- Key features:
Scholarships available
Accredited course
- Typical A-level offer: A*A*A including specific subjects
- Typical contextual A-level offer: A*AA including specific subjects
- Refugee/care-experienced offer: AAA including specific subjects
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 38 points overall with 7,7,6 at HL, including specific requirements
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:
Galaxies
| Unit code | PHYS20491 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 10 |
| Unit level | Level 2 |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
| Offered by | Department of Physics & Astronomy |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
Galaxies
Pre/co-requisites
| Unit title | Unit code | Requirement type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Astrophysics and Cosmology | PHYS10191 | Pre-Requisite | Compulsory |
Aims
To understand the observed properties of galaxies in the context of the current hierarchical structure formation theory.
Learning outcomes
On completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. Classify galaxies using the Hubble scheme.
2. Discuss critically methods of distance measurement to galaxies.
3. Describe the properties and main components of the Milky Way and compare its properties to external galaxies.
4. Explain how to determine the mass of a galaxy and discuss the implication of this for the existence of dark matter.
5. Describe the winding dilemma and give simple explanations for spiral arms.
6. Describe the properties of galaxy clusters and groups and discuss the interactions between dark matter, gas and galaxies in clusters and groups.
7. Describe the properties of black holes in the centres of galaxies and their influence on the galaxy.
8. Describe the galaxy and dark matter structures that exist in the Universe and compare models for how the structure forms.
Syllabus
1. Introduction – Our view of galaxies: - Hubble and de Vaucouleurs classification schemes – the distance ladder and methods of measuring distances to Galaxies - luminosity function of galaxies – surface brightness magnitude – galaxy surveys.
2. Our Galaxy – The Milky Way: - principal components and their kinematics – stellar mass function - rotation curve – Oort constants - mass budget and evidence for dark matter – satellite streams – Galactic Centre.
3. Disk galaxies: - surface brightness distribution – Tully-Fisher relation: application as a distance measurement – dynamics of disk galaxies – origin of spiral arms- properties of Galactic bars.
4. Elliptical galaxies: - composition and structure - surface brightness distribution – King models and comparisons with globular clusters – the fundamental plane – black hole mass versus velocity dispersion relation – dynamics of ellipticals galaxies.
5. Groups, clusters and Galaxy formation: membership of galaxy groups and clusters – the Local Group – methods for estimating the mass of groups and clusters – morphology versus density relation for galaxies and for clusters of galaxies – classic and modern views of galaxy formation – open questions.
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Written exam | 100% |
Feedback methods
Feedback will be provided through comments and solutions to weekly online examples.
Recommended reading
Binney, J. & Merrifield, M. Galactic Astronomy (Princeton University Press)
Sparke, L.S. & Gallagher, J.S. Galaxies in the Universe (CUP)
Combes, F. et.al. Galaxies and Cosmology (Springer)
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Assessment written exam | 1.5 |
| Lectures | 22 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 76.5 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Eamonn Kerins | Unit coordinator |