- 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:
Advanced Quantum Mechanics
| Unit code | PHYS30602 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 10 |
| Unit level | Level 3 |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
Advanced Quantum Mechanics
Pre/co-requisites
| Unit title | Unit code | Requirement type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lagrangian Dynamics | PHYS20402 | Pre-Requisite | Recommended |
| Mathematical Fundamentals of Quantum Mechanics | PHYS30201 | Pre-Requisite | Compulsory |
| Electrodynamics (M) | PHYS30441 | Pre-Requisite | Compulsory |
Follow - Up Units
PHYS40481 - Quantum Field Theory
PHYS40682 - Gauge Theories
Aims
1. To enhance knowledge and understanding of Quantum Mechanics.
2. To prepare students for Quantum Field Theory, Gauge Theories and other related courses.
Learning outcomes
On completion successful students will be able to:
1. Find the unitary transformations linked to symmetry operations.
2. Apply time-dependent perturbation theory to variety of problems.
3. Derive a mathematical description of quantum motion in electromagnetic fields.
4. Apply the relativistic wave equations to simple single-particle problems.
Syllabus
1. Symmetries in quantum mechanics
Rotations, space-time reflections and parity
Unitary operators for space and time translations
Conversation laws
Schrödinger vs Heisenberg picture
2. Time-dependent perturbation theory
Fermi's Golden Rule
Selection rules for atomic transitions
Emission and absorption of radiation
Finite width of excited state
Selection rules for hydrogen
3. Coupling to E&M fields
Minimal coupling
Landau levels
The Gauge Principle in Quantum Mechanics
The Pauli-Schrödinger equation
4. Relativistic wave equations
The Klein-Gordon equation
The Dirac equations
Chirality and helicity
Lorentz invariance and the non-relativistic limit
The hydrogen atom and fine structure
Graphene
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Written exam | 100% |
Feedback methods
Feedback will be provided via solutions to the problem sheets, which will be made available electronically on Blackboard. More detailed feedback will be provided through examples classes which are integrated within the 24 lectures.
Recommended reading
There is no single book that covers all the material in the course. The following books represent a basic choice:
Shankar R., Principles of Quantum Mechanics 2nd ed, 3rd printing (Springer, 2008)
Atkinson I.J.R. and Hey, A.J.G. Gauge Theories in Particle Physics, Vol 1 (IoP, 2003)
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Assessment written exam | 1.5 |
| Lectures | 24 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 74.5 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Ahsan Nazir | Unit coordinator |