Program Overview

Overview of Physical Sciences Program

The Physical Sciences program at Trinity College Dublin is a four-year degree program designed for students who enjoy solving problems. The program covers a wide range of topics, from particles to planets, and from quanta to quasars and supernovae. It aims to prepare students for a lifelong career in research, industry, or business.

Structure of the Program

The program is structured as follows:

• First and second years: Students study foundation topics in physics, including classical and quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, special relativity, and thermodynamics, along with mathematics and open modules from other science subjects.
• Third and fourth years: Students study central topics such as quantum mechanics, statistical physics, and condensed matter physics, and specialize in one of three moderatorships: Physics, Physics and Astrophysics, or Nanoscience.

Moderatorships

The three moderatorships are:

• Physics: Advanced topics include magnetism, semiconductor devices, materials and electronic structure, superconductivity, nanoscience, modern and non-linear optics, nuclear physics and structure, and high energy physics.
• Physics and Astrophysics: Specialized astrophysics topics include stellar and galactic structures, planetary and space science, and cosmology, along with nuclear physics and structure, and high energy physics.
• Nanoscience: Advanced topics include nanoscience, condensed matter physics, specialist courses in thin films, polymers, soft matter, solid state chemistry, electrochemistry, photochemistry, all emphasizing nanomaterials.

Awards and CAO Information

• The program leads to a B.A. (Moderatorship) Honours Bachelor Degree (NFQ Level 8).
• CAO Points: 521 (2024)
• CAO Code: TR063
• Number of Places: 72

Admission Requirements

• Leaving Certificate: H6 or O4 in Mathematics, and H4 in two of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Physics/Chemistry, Geography, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or Agricultural Science.
• GCSE: Grade B/6 in Mathematics
• Advanced GCE (A-Level): Grade C in two of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geology, Physics/Chemistry, Geography, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or Agricultural Science
• International Baccalaureate: SL Grade 5 in Mathematics, and HL Grade 5 in two of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geology, Physics/Chemistry, Geography, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or Agricultural Science
• Certain combinations of subjects are not permitted.

English Language Requirements

All applicants are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language, with a minimum requirement of Band B (Standard Entry).

Course Fees

For a full list of undergraduate fees, please refer to the relevant section of the university's website.

Related Courses

• Biological and Biomedical Sciences
• Chemical Sciences
• Geography and Geoscience

Research and Career Opportunities

The program is designed to help students develop many transferable skills valued by employers and the wider community, including critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Graduates from the program are drawn from a range of sectors of industry, business, and society, and the university hosts career fairs and alumni networking events to support students in their career development. The School of Physics annual Alumni Careers Networking evenings enable students to hear from graduates about their careers. The program has been accredited by the Institute of Physics, opening up a pathway to become a Chartered Physicist (CPhys). Since 2017, Trinity is also a member of LERU, a League of European Research Universities, in recognition of its outstanding education, research, and innovation.