| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-25 | - |
Program Overview
Course overview
This programme is for those considering a career as a professional physicist in fundamental research or industrial research and development. It covers a wider range of topics than the Physics BSc and provides more research experience.
Introduction
This programme is intended for those considering a career as a professional physicist in fundamental research or industrial research and development. It covers a wider range of topics than the Physics BSc and provides more research experience.
The Department has an excellent track record of securing PhD studentships and, as a consequence, our graduates have a good opportunity to study higher degrees spanning the whole of physics. The research-led teaching will provide a core of experience that will make you an excellent researcher and also prepare you to excel in many other professions.
Anyone who is curious about the fundamental laws of nature will enjoy Physics. It is one of the few disciplines that really challenge our view of the world. For example, in relativity we find that space and time are entangled and that clocks run slowly under the influence of a gravitational field. When we examine the world on a microscopic scale, we are in the realm of quantum mechanics, where the predictions, such as wave-particle duality, even seem strange to the physicists who study its foundations.
Programme in detail
In addition to core physics modules, you will also take mathematics, computing and experimental physics modules. There is an advanced computer modelling project in the third year. There may be opportunities to carry out a major project at an international laboratory such as TRIUMF in Vancouver, CERN in Geneva or the Diamond Light Source in Oxfordshire during the summer vacation between the third and fourth years for three months. These projects are fully paid and can form the basis of a more substantial final-year project at the cutting-edge of research.
There are opportunities to work alongside our internationally renowned academics at projects at the LHC at CERN and in many international and national research centres in the USA, Canada, Japan, Korea and many European countries.
Our flexible programmes allow students to transfer up to the end of year two between any of the physics programmes.
What you'll learn
Accreditation
This programme is accredited by the Institute of Physics, which means it satisfies the academic requirements for Chartered Physicist status.
Accreditations in detail
Program Outline
Compulsory modules
Dynamics and Relativity (PHYS101)
Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 1
The module provides an overview of Newtonian mechanics, continuing on from A-level courses. This includes: Newton’s laws of motion in linear and rotational circumstances, gravitation and Kepler’s laws of planetary motion. The theory of Relativity is then introduced, starting from a historical context, through Einstein’s postulates, leading to the Lorentz transformations.
Thermal Physics and Properties of Matter (PHYS102)
Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 1
Einstein said in 1949 that "Thermodynamics is the only physical theory of universal content which I am convinced, within the areas of applicability of its basic concepts, will never be overthrown." In this module, different aspects of thermal physics are addressed: (i) classical thermodynamics which deals with macroscopic properties, such as pressure, volume and temperature – the underlying microscopic physics is not included; (ii) kinetic theory of gases describes the properties of gases in terms of probability distributions associated with the motions of individual molecules; and (iii) statistical mechanics which starts from a microscopic description and then employs statistical methods to derive macroscopic properties. The laws of thermodynamics are introduced and applied.
WAVE PHENOMENA (PHYS103)
Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 2
Waves lie at the heart of physics, being phenomena associated with quantum wave mechanics, electromagnetic fields, communication, lasers and, spectacularly, gravitational waves. The course is divided into several major sections. The first, can be viewed as a pre-wave study of oscillations. This teaches the basics of oscillatory systems which form the backbone of an understanding of waves. The second, deals with waves in abstract; solution of the wave equation and the principles of superposition. Finally, we look at examples of wave phenomena. These are the first introduction to what will be covered in the remainder of your degree.
Foundations of Quantum Physics (PHYS104)
Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 2
This module illustrates how a series of fascinating experiments, some of which physics students will carry out in their laboratory courses, led to the realisation that Newtonian mechanics does not provide an accurate description of physical reality. As is described in the module, this failure was first seen in interactions at the atomic scale and was first seen in experiments involving atoms and electrons. The module shows how Newton’s ideas were replaced by Quantum mechanics, which has been critical to explaining phenomena ranging from the photo-electric effect to the fluctuations in the energy of the Cosmic Microwave Background. The module also explains how this revolution in physicist’s thinking paved the way for developments such as the laser.
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTATIONAL PHYSICS (PHYS105)
Credits: 7.5 / Semester: semester 1
The "Introduction to computational physics" (Phys105) module is designed to introduce physics students to the use of computational techniques appropriate to the solution of physical problems. No previous computing experience is assumed. During the course of the module, students are guided through a series of structured exercises which introduce them to the Python programming language and help them acquire a range of skills including: plotting data in a variety of ways; simple Monte Carlo techniques; algorithm development; and basic symbolic manipulations. The exercises are based around the content of the first year physics modules, both encouraging students to recognise the relevance of computing to their physics studies and enabling them to develop a deeper understanding of aspects of their first year course.
PRACTICAL PHYSICS I (PHYS106)
Credits: 15 / Semester: whole session
This module teaches the laboratory side of physics to complement the taught material from lectures and to introduce key concepts of experimental physics.
Mathematics for Physicists I (PHYS107)
Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 1
This module aims to provide all students with a common foundation in mathematics, necessary for studying the physical sciences and maths courses in later semesters. All topics will begin "from the ground up" by revising ideas which may be familiar from A-level before building on these concepts. In particular, the basic principles of differentiation and integration will be practised, before extending to functions of more than one variable.
MATHEMATICS FOR PHYSICISTS II (PHYS108)
Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 2
This module introduces some of the mathematical techniques used in physics. For example, matrices, differential equations, vector calculus and series are discussed. The ideas are first presented in lectures and then the put into practice in problems classes, with support from demonstrators and the module lecturer. When you have finished this module, you should: Be able to manipulate matrices and use matrix methods to solve simultaneous linear equations. Be familiar with methods for solving first and second order differential equations in one variable. Have a basic knowledge of vector algebra. Have a basic understanding of series, in particular of Fourier series and transforms.
Careers and employability
Physicists are trained to solve a range of problems, meaning your degree opens up a wide range of careers. Physics graduates are among those earning the highest starting salaries in the UK and graduates have excellent opportunities for careers in research, industry, computing, teaching, business and finance.
88%
of physics students find their main activity after graduation meaningful.
Graduate Outcomes, 2018-19.
The knowledge, skills and experience that our you’ll develop during your degree are in demand by employers. Graduates have gone on to explore careers in areas as diverse as:
Progressing to research
The Department of Physics attracts considerable research income, creating excellent opportunities to progress to a research degree, particularly in the fields of condensed matter physics, nuclear physics, particle physics, nanoscience and energy.
Preparing you for future success
At Liverpool, our goal is to support you to build your intellectual, social, and cultural capital so that you graduate as a socially-conscious global citizen who is prepared for future success. We achieve this by:
Meet our alumni
Hear what graduates say about their career progression and life after university.
Read more about Abbie McCarrick
Abbie McCarrick, MPhys Physics
Abbie graduated from our Physics MPhys course and is now undertaking a Physics PhD at the University of Liverpool.
Read this story
Read more about Dr Matt Taylor
Dr Matt Taylor, MPhys Physics
Rosetta Mission Project Scientist and University of Liverpool alumnus, Dr Matt Taylor, talks cosmos, computers and The Cambridge.
Read this story