Theoretical Physics

Program Overview

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Trinity College Dublin's Theoretical Physics program offers a comprehensive blend of mathematics and physics, empowering students with problem-solving, logical, and abstract thinking skills. It provides a foundation for careers in academia, industry, and beyond, with a focus on unlocking the secrets of the universe from the subatomic to the cosmic. Through rigorous coursework, research projects, and international study opportunities, this program prepares graduates for success in a variety of fields.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

Theoretical Physics explores the natural world at its most fundamental level, using mathematical theories guided by experimental investigation. It provides a foundation for an academic career in mathematics or physics, and also serves as a basis for many career options in industry, medicine, law, finance, and computing. The course at Trinity College Dublin offers a wide range of physics and mathematics, and its graduates are in demand for their technical skills and versatility. The program is designed for students who enjoy mathematics and seeing how physical theories can be developed to unlock the secrets of the universe on every scale, from the quark to the Big Bang. It is a challenging and rewarding program that provides students with a strong foundation in highly complex problem-solving skills, as well as logical and abstract thinking. Trinity College Dublin is a world-renowned university for physics and mathematics with a long tradition of excellence in teaching and research. The Theoretical Physics course offers a unique mixture of pure and applied mathematics and physics courses taught by faculty with international reputations in their research fields.

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Outline:

The course combines much of the Mathematics and Physics curricula, including several modules specifically designed with the Theoretical Physics program in mind. The final year includes a Capstone project which is carried out working closely with individual faculty members to develop an original piece of research.

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First and Second Years topics:

• Maths: Algebra, Analysis, Mechanics, Equations of Mathematical Physics
• Physics: Physics teaching is split into two modules (each 10 credits) in the first two years and a 5-credit lecture and 10-credit project modules in the third and fourth years.

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Third Year topics:

• Maths: Classical Field Theory and Electrodynamics, Quantum Mechanics, Statistical Physics
• Physics: Waves and Optics, Special Relativity, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Quantum Physics, Nuclear Physics, Electromagnetic Interactions, Chaos and Complexity and Statistics

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Fourth Year topics:

• Maths: Quantum Field Theory, Differential Geometry, General Relativity, Partial Differential Equations
• Physics: Atomic Physics and Statistical Thermodynamics, Condensed Matter Physics I and II, Astrophysics or Computer Simulation

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Optional courses:

• Energy Science
• Magnetism and Superconductivity
• Cosmology
• Computer Simulation
• Computational Physics
• Capstone research project

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Assessment:

Assessment for courses is through a mixture of laboratory reports, presentations, and end-of-semester exams.

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Teaching:

The School of Physics has excellent first, second, and third-year laboratories for teaching experimental physics. The School of Physics is affiliated with Trinity’s world-renowned nanoscience institute (CRANN, the Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures and Nanodevices) and the associated advanced microscopy lab (AML). In the School of Mathematics, students will be taught by active researchers working in areas of theoretical physics, such as string theory, quantum field theory, and general relativity, as well as pure mathematicians. The School of Mathematics provides its own computing network comprising a dozen Linux machines acting as servers and about 60 workstations for undergraduates and staff. In addition, the school boasts the finest mathematics research library in Ireland, with more than 16,000 books and a current subscription to 100+ journals.

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Careers:

Many graduates proceed to Ph.D. degrees in leading institutions throughout the world (such as Cambridge University, Harvard, and Imperial College London) in Mathematics and Experimental Physics, as well as Theoretical Physics. Alternatively, as this degree provides graduates with a strong foundation in highly complex problem-solving skills as well as logical and abstract thinking, a world of possibilities beckons. The broad scientific background and skills that the course develops are in great demand by employers in diverse areas, including actuarial science, patent law, journalism, weather forecasting, telecommunications, medical physics, information technology, scientific computing, and teaching.

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Other:

Theoretical Physics students can spend up to a year, usually the third year, of their studies at a university abroad, either in Europe via Erasmus exchanges or further afield via a considerable number of bilateral agreements between Trinity and universities ranging from the Australian National University to the University of California and New York University in the United States.