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:
Frontiers of Solid State Physics

Course unit fact file
Unit code PHYS40411
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 4
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

Frontiers of Solid State Physics

Pre/co-requisites

Unit title Unit code Requirement type Description
Properties of Matter PHYS10352 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
PHYS20252 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Condensed Matter Physics PHYS30051 Pre-Requisite Compulsory

Aims

To present several topics of contemporary solid state physics.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the students will be able to

1. Rationalise the concept of topology in solid state physics.

2. Analyse main quantum properties (charge, spin, valley, etc.) of low-dimensional materials and their heterostructures.

3. Analyse and describe main scanning probe techniques for characterization of low-dimensional systems

4. Conduct elementary calculations and estimations of quantities relevant to the various parts of the syllabus.

Syllabus

 A. Mishchenko                                                                                               (12 Lectures)

- Quantum confinement in 2D, 1D, and 0D

- Physics of graphene, other 2D materials, and van der Waals heterostructures

- Many-body physics: magnetism and superconductivity in 2D

- Topological materials and quantum Hall effect

 

L. Fumagalli                                                                                                  (12 Lectures)

  • Fundamentals of scanning probe microscopy (SPM)
  • Scanning Tunnelling Microscopy (STM)
  • Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
  • Scanning Near-Field Optical Microscopy (SNOM)
  • Overview of advanced SPM techniques and modes, including other electrical, optical and magnetic techniques
  • Examples of SPM application to nanostructures and low-dimensional systems (2D, 1D, 0D)

 

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Written exam 100%

Feedback methods

Feedback will be available on students’ solutions to example problems, and model answers will be issued.

Recommended reading

Charles Kittel, Introduction to Solid State physics, (Wiley) 2005                

Mikhail I. Katsnelson, Graphene: Carbon in Two Dimensions, (Cambridge University Press) 2012

Avouris, P., Heinz, T., & Low, T. 2D Materials: Properties and Devices. (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press) 2017

E. Meyer, H. J. Hug, R. Bennewitz, Scanning Probe Microscopy - The lab on a Tip Springer, Berlin, 2004.

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Assessment written exam 1.5
Lectures 24
Independent study hours
Independent study 74.5

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Artem Mishchenko Unit coordinator
Laura Fumagalli Unit coordinator

Return to course details