Programme requirements (2018/2019) | Master in Physics (Honours) Astrophysics | University of 91¹û¶³ÊÓƵ

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Master in Physics (Honours) Astrophysics


Important entry information

Entry to first year is the standard entry route, and the route which can provide the broadest education, and which can give most flexibility in final choice of degree. Students who are aiming for a degree in Physics or Astrophysics and who enter with good Advanced Highers or A-levels or equivalent in Physics and Mathematics may apply for an accelerated entry route to the programme, which can reduce the length of the BSc Honours programme to three years and the MPhys programme to four years. The special Physics and Astronomy (Gateway) first year allows subsequent progression to the second year of all the single-honours degree programmes in the School, and the joint degrees with the School of Mathematics.

Programme Requirements

MPhys (Hons) Astrophysics: First year
Code Module name Credits
Astronomy and Astrophysics 1 20 AND
Mathematics 20 AND
Physics 1A 20 AND
Physics 1B 20 AND
Remaining credits from Level 1000 options

Further requirements

Choose 120 credits in the academic year

Students without prerequisite for MT1002 will take MT1001 in Semester 1.

Appropriately qualified applicants may bypass first year and have direct entry to second year.


MPhys (Hons) Astrophysics: Second year (Direct Entry)
Code Module name Credits
Astrophysics (Direct Entry) 5 AND
( ^ Astronomy and Astrophysics 2 30 OR
^ Astrophysics 2 15 ) AND
^ Physics 2A 30 AND
^ Physics 2B 30 AND
~ Linear Mathematics 15 AND
~ Multivariate Calculus 15 AND
Between 0 and 15 credits from Levels 1000 and 2000 options

Further requirements

Choose 120 credits in the academic year
Choose a minimum of 80 Level 2000 credits

Automatic entry to Honours requires

  • pass and have an average grade 15 or better in modules marked ^
  • pass and have an average grade 15 or better in modules marked ~
MPhys (Hons) Astrophysics: Second year
Code Module name Credits
( ^ Astronomy and Astrophysics 2 30 OR
^ Astrophysics 2 15 ) AND
^ Physics 2A 30 AND
^ Physics 2B 30 AND
~ Linear Mathematics 15 AND
~ Multivariate Calculus 15 AND
Remaining credits from Levels 1000 and 2000 options

Further requirements

Choose 120 credits in the academic year
Choose a minimum of 80 Level 2000 credits

Automatic entry to Honours requires

  • pass and have an average grade 15 or better in modules marked ^
  • pass and have an average grade 15 or better in modules marked ~

Entry to Honours MPhys or MSci

Students who attain an average grade of 15 or above at the first sitting in each of the requisite 2000-level combinations, and who meet all the other programme requirements will be permitted automatic entry into MPhys or MSci Honours programmes. It is not permitted to trail any modules or credits in to the start of the honours programme in Integrated Masters degrees.

MPhys Honours

The general requirements are 600 credits over a period of normally five years (and not more than six years) or part-time equivalent, of which the final three years form an approved Honours programme of at least 360 credits, of which 120 credits are at 5000 level and at least 210 credits are at 3000 and/or 4000 levels.


MPhys (Hons) Astrophysics: Third year
Code Module name Credits
Computational Astrophysics 15 AND
Electromagnetism 15 AND
Thermal and Statistical Physics 15 AND
Transferable Skills for Physicists 15 AND
Quantum Mechanics 1 10 AND
Quantum Mechanics 2 10 AND
Computational Physics 10 AND
Mathematics for Physicists 15 AND
( Extragalactic Astronomy 15 OR
View list 15 credits from Module List: AS3000 - AS3099, AS4000 - AS4099, PH3000 - PH3099, PH4000 - PH4099 )
Computational Astrophysics 15
Extragalactic Astronomy 15
The Physics of Nebulae and Stars 1 15
The Physics of Nebulae and Stars 2 15
Gravitational and Accretion Physics 15
Observational Astrophysics 15
Electromagnetism 15
Thermal and Statistical Physics 15
Transferable Skills for Physicists 15
Quantum Mechanics 1 10
Quantum Mechanics 2 10
Electronics 15
Computational Physics 10
Mathematics for Physicists 15
Mathematics for Chemistry / Physics 20
Signals and Information 15
Optoelectronics and Nonlinear Optics 15
Advanced Quantum Mechanics 15
Fluids 15
Special Relativity and Fields 15
Laser Physics 1 15
Principles of Optics 15
Physics of Music 15
Lagrangian and Hamiltonian Dynamics 15
Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics 15
Nuclear and Particle Physics with Advanced Skills 15
Atomic, Nuclear, and Particle Physics 15
Concepts in Atomic Physics and Magnetic Resonance 15
Studies in Physics and Chemistry 5
Advanced Condensed Matter Physics 15
Data Processing for biomedical imaging and sensing 15
Note:
- Not all modules are available in every academic year and/or semester
- Individual modules may have requisites to satisfy to be eligible to select them

For further details, see the entry for each individual module above

Further requirements

Choose 120 credits in academic year

AS4010 must be taken in Third or Fourth Year with additional credits selected in the appropriate year.

The student must complete a total of at least 360 credits across Third, Fourth and Fifth Years, of which at least 330 credits must be achieved at 3000, 4000 and 5000 level with at least 120 of these at 5000 level.


MPhys (Hons) Astrophysics: Fourth year
Code Module name Credits
The Physics of Nebulae and Stars 1 15 AND
The Physics of Nebulae and Stars 2 15 AND
Lagrangian and Hamiltonian Dynamics 15 AND
Atomic, Nuclear, and Particle Physics 15 AND
View list 30 credits from Module List: AS4015, AS4025, PH4031 AND
Gravitational and Accretion Physics 15
Observational Astrophysics 15
Fluids 15
Note:
- Not all modules are available in every academic year and/or semester
- Individual modules may have requisites to satisfy to be eligible to select them

For further details, see the entry for each individual module above
View list Between 15 and 30 credits from Module List: AS3000 - AS4999, PH3000 - PH4100, ID4001 AND
Computational Astrophysics 15
Extragalactic Astronomy 15
The Physics of Nebulae and Stars 1 15
The Physics of Nebulae and Stars 2 15
Gravitational and Accretion Physics 15
Observational Astrophysics 15
Astrophysics Project (BSc) 30
Electromagnetism 15
Thermal and Statistical Physics 15
Transferable Skills for Physicists 15
Quantum Mechanics 1 10
Quantum Mechanics 2 10
Electronics 15
Computational Physics 10
Mathematics for Physicists 15
Mathematics for Chemistry / Physics 20
Physics Laboratory 1 15
Signals and Information 15
Optoelectronics and Nonlinear Optics 15
Advanced Quantum Mechanics 15
Fluids 15
Special Relativity and Fields 15
Laser Physics 1 15
Principles of Optics 15
Physics of Music 15
Lagrangian and Hamiltonian Dynamics 15
Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics 15
Nuclear and Particle Physics with Advanced Skills 15
Atomic, Nuclear, and Particle Physics 15
Concepts in Atomic Physics and Magnetic Resonance 15
Studies in Physics and Chemistry 5
Advanced Condensed Matter Physics 15
Data Processing for biomedical imaging and sensing 15
Communication and Teaching in Science 15
Note:
- Not all modules are available in every academic year and/or semester
- Individual modules may have requisites to satisfy to be eligible to select them

For further details, see the entry for each individual module above
Extragalactic Astronomy 15

Further requirements

Choose 120 credits in academic year

AS4010 must be taken in Third or Fourth Year with additional credits selected in the appropriate year.

The student must complete a total of at least 360 credits across Third, Fourth and Fifth Years, of which at least 330 credits must be achieved at 3000, 4000 and 5000 level with at least 120 of these at 5000 level.


MPhys (Hons) Astrophysics: Fifth year
Code Module name Credits
Astrophysics Project (MPhys) 60 AND
View list Between 30 and 45 credits from Module List: AS5001 - AS5003 AND
Advanced Data Analysis 15
Magnetofluids and Space Plasmas 15
Contemporary Astrophysics 15
Note:
- Not all modules are available in every academic year and/or semester
- Individual modules may have requisites to satisfy to be eligible to select them

For further details, see the entry for each individual module above
View list Between 15 and 30 credits from Module List: PH5000 - PH5099
Foundations of Quantum Mechanics 15
Group Theory 15
Quantum Field Theory 15
Laser Physics 2 15
General Relativity 15
Quantum Optics 15
PH5014 The Interacting Electron Problem in Solids 15
Applications of Quantum Physics 15
Biophotonics 15
Monte Carlo Radiation Transport Techniques 15
Modern Topics in Condensed Matter Physics 15
Nanophotonics 15
Note:
- Not all modules are available in every academic year and/or semester
- Individual modules may have requisites to satisfy to be eligible to select them

For further details, see the entry for each individual module above

Further requirements

Choose 120 credits in academic year

The student must complete a total of at least 360 credits across Third, Fourth and Fifth Years, of which at least 330 credits must be achieved at 3000, 4000 and 5000 level with at least 120 of these at 5000 level.

Accreditation

All the BSc, MSci, and MPhys single and joint Honours degrees in which Physics or Astrophysics is in the title are accredited by the UK Institute of Physics.

Study abroad

In the case of students who spend part of the Honours programme on a recognised Study Abroad scheme, the Programme Requirements will be amended to take into account overseas courses which are approved by the relevant 91¹û¶³ÊÓƵ School in the Learning Agreement (see ).