- 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:
Nuclear Forces and Reactions
| Unit code | PHYS40622 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 10 |
| Unit level | Level 4 |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
Nuclear Forces and Reactions
Pre/co-requisites
| Unit title | Unit code | Requirement type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nuclear Physics | PHYS40322 | Pre-Requisite | Compulsory |
Aims
To introduce the main features of the forces between nucleons and reactions between
nuclei, and to link nuclear physics to other areas of physics.
Learning outcomes
On completion successful students will be able to:
1. describe the mean features of the forces between protons and neutrons, and their relation to the underlying forces between quarks.
2. use cross sections and phase shifts to describe quantum mechanical scattering processes.
3. show how simple models can explain the main features of nuclear reactions.
4. explain how specific nuclear reactions are responsible for the formation of the elements.
Syllabus
1. Nuclear forces (8 lectures)
Symmetries in nuclear physics
From quarks to pions and nucleons
The deuteron
Scattering in quantum mechanical systems
Partial waves
Effective-range expansion
Pion-exchange force
Phases of nuclear matter
2. Nuclear reactions (8 lectures)
Reaction cross sections
Resonances
Optical potential
Compound nucleus
Direct reactions
Nuclear fission
3. Nuclear astrophysics (6 lectures)
The Big Bang
H and He burning in stars
Formation of heavier elements
Supernovae and neutron stars
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Written exam | 100% |
Feedback methods
Feedback will be available on students individual written solutions to examples sheets, which will be marked, and model answers will be issued.
Recommended reading
Bertulani, C. A. Nuclear Physics in a Nutshell (Princeton)
Krane, K. S. Introductory Nuclear Physics (Wiley)
Wong, S. S. M. Introductory Nuclear Physics (Wiley)
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Assessment written exam | 1.5 |
| Lectures | 24 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 74.5 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Alastair Smith | Unit coordinator |