PDF to download - Physics at Lancaster University

Choosing your degreeListed on the previous and opposite pages are the degreecourses we offer at Lancaster; the subsequent pagesprovide more detailed information. You have the flexibilityto change your degree course at any time up until thebeginning of the second year (excluding TheoreticalPhysics with Mathematics joint degrees).We offer MPhys, MSci, and BSc degree courses. The BScdegree takes 3 years to complete whereas the MPhys andMSci degrees require 4 years of study. The content of thefirst 3 years of our master's (MPhys and MSci) degrees isidentical to the corresponding bachelor's (BSc) degreebut, in addition, the 4th years of our master's degreesprovide the opportunity to study physics in greater depthand to undertake an extended research project.MPhys and MSci degrees are ideal if you are planning acareer as a professional physicist, and are therecommended route into higher research degrees.However, a good result from a BSc course is alsosufficient to continue your studies at the MSc or PhD levelor to enter a teacher-training programme. All of ourdegrees seek to provide you with skills valued byemployers in both the public and private sectors.More details on graduate destinations can be found onpages 24 and 25.It is possible to change from a 3 year to a 4 year degreecourse if you maintain sufficiently high marks in youruniversity coursework and exams. A change from a4toa3 year course is also possible. Any change must takeplace well before the end of your third year.The first year of theUndergraduate PhysicsDegree schemes is veryinteresting as everyone isdoing exactly the samething. It starts off withthings you are used tothrough M1 and C1-C4 ofthe A Level Maths you tookbut quickly moves on tolooking at something new inRigid Bodies. You are also rewarded with familiar topicsfrom A Level Physics such as Electromagnetism, Circuitsand Waves but these quickly surpass A Level standardand finally move to the world of strange and utterly bizarrephenomena called Quantum Physics. One of the mostenjoyable parts of first year is going through a worksheetor a past exam paper and realising you can actually dothe problems. This is second only to the feeling of utterrelief and joy when your final exam is over!Raphael Oyelade, currently studyingMPhys Physics, Astrophysics & Cosmology.If your academic performance in the first 2 years atLancaster is strong then you may want to take advantageof the opportunity we offer to spend a year in the USA orCanada as part of your degree (see pages 16-17).In addition to our physics degree we offer a range ofdegree specialisations at either the MPhys or BSc levelwhich are discussed in detail later in this prospectus.Additionally, our MSci in Theoretical Physics withMathematics may be a good option for students with akeen interest in the mathematical aspects of physics (seepage 15).A common first yearMost of our courses have common physics content in thefirst year. Our students undertake lectures in core physicsand mathematics courses that equip them with tools fortackling problems in physics. Additionally, studentsfollowing one of our Theoretical Physics with Mathematicsdegrees attend lectures in pure mathematics given in theDepartment of Mathematics and Statistics.Choices at the end of the first yearAfter you have completed the first year your courses willdiffer depending on which degree scheme you choose.You will attend core physics lectures with all of your fellowphysics students but each of the degree schemes hastheir own specialist additional lecture courses. Typically25%-30% of your second year courses will be related toyour choice of speciality. In the third and fourth year youhave further choices of courses and projects that let youtailor the degree to your interests.6www.physics.lancs.ac.uk