Program Overview

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Introduction to the MPhys Physics with Philosophy Program

The MPhys Physics with Philosophy program at the University of York offers students the opportunity to explore the fundamental questions of life, the universe, and everything. This four-year full-time program (with an optional placement year) combines the study of physics and philosophy, allowing students to develop a deep understanding of the natural world and the human experience.

Program Overview

The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in physics and philosophy, with a focus on the development of critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. Students will study a range of topics, including classical and quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, and statistical mechanics, as well as philosophy of science, ethics, and logic.

Course Structure

The program consists of four years of study, with the option to take a placement year in industry or research. The first year emphasizes core material, including physics, mathematics, and philosophy. In the second year, students will deepen their understanding of fundamental physical laws and processes, and explore in-depth issues in central philosophy. The third year introduces advanced concepts, building on the expertise developed in the first two years. The final year consists of a number of advanced option modules, providing students with the opportunity to specialize further.

Core Modules

• Classical and Quantum Waves
• Mathematical, Computational and Professional Skills 1
• Knowledge and Perception
• Electromagnetism and Relativity
• Mathematical, Computational and Professional Skills 2
• Logic
• Thermodynamics and Electromagnetism
• Mathematics, Professional Skills and Introduction to Laboratories
• Statistical and Solid State Physics
• Quantum, Atomic, Nuclear and Particle Physics
• Philosophy of Science
• Philosophy of Physics
• MPhys Research Project and Skills

Option Modules

Students will study a range of option modules, including:

• Religious Ethics
• Politics and Freedom: Anarchism and Conservatism
• Applied Ethics
• Logic and Paradox
• Love, Law, and Solidarity: Recognition from Rousseau to Honneth
• Aesthetics
• Being and Reason
• Knowledge and Social Sciences
• The Limits of Reason: Kant's Theoretical and Practical Philosophy
• Plasma Physics and Fusion
• Quantum Mechanics
• Advanced Theoretical Techniques and Modelling Matter
• Stars and Galaxies
• Condensed Matter Physics: Electrons in Solids
• Relativity and Cosmology
• Medical Physics
• Nuclear and Particle
• Quantum Science and Technologies
• Astrobiology
• Advanced Sensors and Instrumentation
• Mobile Communications and Internet Protocols
• Scientific Supercomputing
• Biophysics
• Advanced Condensed Matter Physics
• From Subatomic to Nuclear Astrophysics
• Advanced Quantum Mechanics
• Advanced Plasma Physics for Fusion and Applications
• Cosmic Horizons
• Medical Imaging And Physics
• Research Topics in Nanotechnology: Advanced Data Storage and Spintronics
• Machine Vision and Human Machine Interaction
• Innovation Management
• Practical Skills in Virtual Anatomy and Morphology
• Future Healthcare And Computer Aided Diagnosis
• Advanced Topics in Political Philosophy
• Comparative Analytic Theology
• Topics in the Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence
• Phenomenology and Psychiatry
• Philosophical Theology after Maimonides
• Human and Machine Creativity
• Freedom, Right, and Revolution: Post-Kantian Moral, Legal, and Political Philosophy
• Topics in Perception and Emotion
• Problem Based Learning: Government and Health Data
• Problem Based Learning: Surveillance Capitalism
• Wittgenstein's Tractatus
• Time, Tense, and Existence
• Buddhism, Ethics, and the Self
• Advanced Topics in Ethics
• Ancient Philosophy
• Fictionalism
• Topics in Consciousness and Representation
• Social Justice and Political Economy
• Using and Abusing Language
• Models and Modelling in Science and Technology
• Truth
• Research Skills and Dissemination Practice
• Data Privacy Problem Based Learning 1: Health and Government Data
• Data Privacy Problem Based Learning 2: Surveillance Capitalism
• Freedom and Metaphysics
• Ethics and Epistemology of Digital Methods in Science
• Topics in Perception and Emotion
• Thinking About Happiness
• Medieval Jewish Philosophy
• Science-Engaged Analytic Theology
• Social Justice and Political Economy

Fees and Funding

The annual tuition fees for the program are:

• UK (home): £9,535
• International and EU: £32,350

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for the program, students must meet the following requirements:

• A levels: AAA, including Physics and Mathematics
• European Baccalaureate: 85% overall, with 85% in Physics and Mathematics
• International Baccalaureate: 36 points overall, including 5 in Higher Level Mathematics and 5 in Higher Level Physics
• T levels: Not accepted unless additional A Level (or equivalent qualifications) in Mathematics and Physics have been taken
• Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers: Advanced Highers - AB in Physics and Mathematics, plus Scottish Highers - AB
• International foundation programme: Foundation Certificate from our International Pathway College or an appropriate alternative
• Other qualifications: All other qualifications, including Scottish Highers and Irish Leaving Certificates, will be considered individually

English Language Requirements

If English is not the student's first language, they must provide evidence of their English language ability, such as:

• IELTS (Academic): 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
• IB English: A score of 4 in English A or 5 in English B (Higher Level or Standard Level)
• Cambridge CEFR: 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component
• Oxford ELLT: 7, with a minimum of 6 in each component
• Oxford Test of English Advanced: 136, with a minimum of 126 in each component
• Duolingo: Integrated subscores: 120 overall, with a minimum of 105 in each component
• GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language): Grade C / Grade 4
• LanguageCert SELT: B2 Communicator High Pass with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component
• LanguageCert Academic: B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component
• Kaplan Test of English Language: 478 Main Flight score with 444 in each component
• Skills for English: B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component
• PTE Academic: 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component
• TOEFL: 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component
• Trinity ISE III: Merit in all components

Careers and Skills

The program is designed to provide students with a range of skills, including:

• Self-management
• Communication skills
• Team working
• Problem solving
• Creativity and innovation
• IT literacy
• Mathematics

Graduates of the program have gone on to work in a range of industries, including:

• Accelerator physicist
• Engineer
• Scientist
• Financial coordinator
• IT analyst and consultant
• Teacher
• Electrical engineer
• Environmental modeller
• Accountant

Learning Outcomes

The program is designed to provide students with a range of learning outcomes, including:

• Apply independent learning strategies that incorporate core and advanced physics, mathematics and/or computational knowledge, techniques and understanding to synthesise and evaluate physical world problems.
• Plan and execute extended or complex scientific investigation using the principles of physics in investigating a hypothesis, and interpret outcomes.
• Recognise and define key problems, issues, and debates across a range of areas of philosophy—including some at the forefront of contemporary work—and apply a developed understanding of core philosophical issues in approaching new problems.
• Develop and articulate solutions to problems and puzzles in philosophy, lay out what can be said for and against these solutions, and make a measured judgement about what is the best solution in each case, working in a critically reflective and autonomous way and supporting their judgement with a sustained line of argument based on a sophisticated appreciation of the considerations raised.
• Communicate complex and difficult ideas in clear, precise, and accessible terms to the general public and professional scientists and philosophers in a variety of formats—in particular, articulating the interrelations between core areas and defending outcomes in physics, and explaining key problems, issues, and debates in philosophy.
• Collaborate effectively with others, and work with a group to apply physics themes and concepts to open-ended problems.
• Critically evaluate the merits and demerits of competing scientific and philosophical theories, and hence plan and execute an in-depth investigation of a particular area of physics.
• Engage with a range of physical and philosophical theories, and the connections between them, in order to appreciate the intellectual beauty and societal applications of physics and philosophy, and be inspired to lifelong learning.

Research Areas

The program is supported by a range of research areas, including:

• Plasma physics
• Quantum mechanics
• Condensed matter physics
• Relativity and cosmology
• Medical physics
• Nuclear and particle physics
• Quantum science and technologies
• Astrobiology
• Advanced sensors and instrumentation
• Mobile communications and internet protocols

Conclusion

The MPhys Physics with Philosophy program at the University of York provides students with a comprehensive education in physics and philosophy, with a focus on the development of critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. The program is designed to provide students with a range of skills and knowledge, and to prepare them for a range of careers in industry, research, and academia. With its strong research focus and commitment to student development, the program is an excellent choice for students who want to pursue a career in physics and philosophy.