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PHYSICS AT OXFORDUNDERGRADUATE DEGREE COURSES AT THEUNIVERSITY OF OXFORD

PHYSICS AT OXFORDPhysics is about unravelling the complexity of the universe to discover how and why it works.Discoveries in physics form the foundation of countless technological advances and play animportant role in many scientific areas. The contributions of physics to solving global problemssuch as energy production, environmental protection, global warming and public health areessential and have an enormous impact on our society. It is an exciting and challenging fieldto study, requiring an adventurous and inquiring mind, and good mathematical abilities. Therewards include a deeper understanding of the world around us and the development of skillsthat are highly sought after by many employers.THE COURSEThere are two undergraduate physics degrees,a three year BA and a four year MPhys. Allapplicants apply for the four year MPhys in thefirst instance. We also offer a four year jointdegree in Physics and Philosophy.BA PHYSICSThe three year course provides a generaleducation in the basic principles of physics andincludes a group industrial project.TEACHINGOxford has a unique approach to undergraduatephysics teaching, drawing on the breadth andquality of the Department’s research programmeand a wealth of expertise. Teaching involvesboth the Physics Department and the Colleges.The Physics Department determines subjectmatter, arranges lectures and practicals, and setsand marks examinations. The Colleges organisetutorials, where work is submitted and discussed,and also provide pastoral support and advice.LECTURESLectures normally happen in the department and willbe the primary source of information. Lectures willbe for the entire year, approximately 180 students.TUTORIALSTutorials give students direct and regular accessto physicists actively involved in research andprovide an opportunity to explore scientific ideasface-to-face with experts in the field. Tutors takea personal interest in the academic progress oftheir students and offer help and advice. Studentsnormally have two tutorials or classes a week.1MPHYSMost students study the four year course, inwhich they pursue two fields up to the researchfrontier and complete a longer project. TheMPhys should be of interest to those who seek apossible career in research.MPHYSPHILPhysics and philosophy are studied in parallelfor the first three years and then students mayspecialise in one subject or continue with both.Classes are typically with their College year group(approximately six students), while tutorials arewith one or two other students.PRACTICAL WORKExperimental work forms an important part of anyphysics degree, providing training in transferableskills such as communication, teamwork andproblem solving, in addition to learning aboutmeasurements and instrumentation. Practicalwork is compulsory for the first three years;students spend on average one day a week in thelaboratories. Some useful skills (computing andelectronics) are taught almost entirely throughpractical work. The first year of the practicalcourse provides basic training in experimentalphysics and computing. In the second and thirdyear there is a choice of practicals includingelectronics, thermal physics, computing, optics,biophysics, astrophysics, atmospheric physics,nuclear physics and condensed matter physics.Students can also do extra practicals in place of awritten short option in the second year. A student’sfinal year project often involves experimental workin the teaching laboratories or in a research group.1ST YEAR2ND YEARCurrent coursesCurrent courses Classical mechanics and Thermal physicsspecial relativity Electromagnetism andoptics Electromagnetism,circuit theory and optics Quantum physics Mathematical methods Mathematical methods Differential equations Practical workand waves 12 days spread overPractical workthe year, experimentscan include thermal 17 days spread overthe year, experimentscan include optics,electronics andcomputingShort options, eg: Astronomy Complex analysis Quantum ideasphysics, computing andopticsShort options, eg: Classical mechanics Climate physics Introduction tobiological physics3RD YEAR4TH YEARCurrent coursesResearch FluidsResearch Project and Symmetry and relativity two option courses: Atomic and laser MPhys project physicsprojects give studentsvaluable experience of Nuclear and particleopen-ended work andsolving real problems,and are the equivalentof about one full term’sworkphysics General relativity Condensed matterphysics Computational andexperimental projectsPractical work 6 days plus a miniprojectShort options, eg: Advanced quantummechanics Classical mechanics Plasma physicsAssessmentAssessmentAssessmentFirst Universityexaminations: Fourwritten papers; shortoption paper; satisfactorylaboratory workFinal Universityexaminations, Part A (BAand MPhys): Three writtenpapers; short optionpaper; laboratory work;individual presentationFinal Universityexaminations, Part A:MPhys: up to 5 writtenpapers, short option paper,mini project, laboratoryworkBA: up to 4 writtenpapers, short option paper,mini project, laboratorywork, project report,optional industrial projectCurrent major options Astrophysics Laser science and quantum informationprocessingCondensed matterParticle physicsAtmospheres andoceansTheoretical physicsBiological physicsAssessmentFinal Universityexaminations, Part C(MPhys): Project report;two major option papersMMATHPHYS 4TH YEARThe Physics and Mathematics Departments jointly offer an integrated master’s level course in Mathematical andTheoretical Physics. Physics students are able to apply for transfer to a fourth year studying entirely mathematicaland theoretical physics, completing their degree with an MMathPhys. The course offers research-level trainingin: Particle physics, Condensed matter physics, Astrophysics, Plasma physics and Continuous media. With a greatnumber of options offered from both the Mathematics and Physics departments this course may be of particularinterest to those intending graduate study in theoretical topics. For full details see mmathphys.physics.ox.ac.uk.The course descriptions provided are correct at time of publication, but details are subject to change.WHY STUDY PHYSICS ATOXFORD?Studying Physics at Oxford is brilliant: not only does it equip youwith the tools to understand and pick apart this fascinating subject,but it trains your brain to attack all manner of problems in anefficient and intelligent way.2

4TH YEAR OPTIONSMPhys students spend their fourth year workingon two major options and a substantial project. Theoptions reflect specialisms within the department:Astrophysics, Biological Physics, CondensedMatter Physics, Laser Science and QuantumInformation Processing, Particle Physics, Physics ofAtmospheres and Oceans and Theoretical Physics.These options are taught in lectures and classes.FINAL YEAR PROJECTSIn the final year (3rd year for BA, 4th year forMPhys), students will have the option to choosefrom a wide range of projects in fundamentalphysics. In addition, BA students can choose tostudy a real-life industrial physics problem with anexternal company. The goal of these projects is togive all students valuable experience of exploringwhat research can look like and what they cancontribute to solving real problems, independentof whether they will continue in academia, industryor elsewhere. These projects are the equivalent toabout one full term’s work.OPTIONAL UNITSThe physics undergraduate degrees at Oxford offerstudents a significant amount of choice throughshort option courses, laboratory experimentsand two major options in the fourth year of theMPhys. Short option courses allow students toexperiment with new material. All students havethe opportunity to either acquire expertise in amore specialised area of physics or to broadentheir education by studying subjects outside theARE TUTORIALS TERRIFYING?3mainstream course, offered by another departmentor faculty. A sample of short optional courses arelisted below:Course Title Astrophysics: from Planets to the Cosmos Introduction to Biological Physics Classical Mechanics Climate Physics Energy Studies Exploring Solar Systems Functions of a Complex Variable Exoplanets Plasma Physics Quantum Ideas Advanced Quantum Mechanics Stars and GalaxiesFrom other departments or faculties History of Science Language Option (French, Spanish or German) Philosophy of Quantum Mechanics Philosophy of Science Philosophy of Space-Time Teaching and Learning Physics in SchoolsTutorials were initially scary, because you are satacross from someone who is an expert in their field.But once you realise that they don’t mind if you getthings wrong, the environment is incredible. A tutorwill never hesitate to ask difficult questions, and willpush you to fully understand. I’ve walked away fromtutorials feeling so pleased that I’m here because itis the best teaching I’ve ever had.PHYSICS AND PHILOSOPHYOxford also offers a joint Physics and Philosophy Masters degree (MPhysPhil), which aims tobridge the arts/science divide. Physics and philosophy complement each other as they bothseek to reach a fundamental understanding of the nature of reality.In this degree students will learn how to write,reason and argue with precision, as well as how touse physical principles and mathematical equationsto solve problems. Graduates are equipped withthe ability to think in abstract and general termsas well as to evaluate scientific claims that arise inareas such as social sciences, policy making, mediaand business. In addition, depending on students’choices in the fourth year, the course providesan ideal springboard to graduate work in eitherphysics or philosophy. Graduates regularly go onto the very best research programmes worldwidein physics, and likewise in philosophy. The coursecovers topics in physics, philosophy and thephilosophy of physics.PHYSICS AND PHILOSOPHYPhysics and philosophy are studied in parallel forthe first three years. Philosophy covers topicssuch as the theory of knowledge, metaphysics,philosophy of science and logic. There is flexibilityin the fourth year to specialise in either physics orphilosophy, or to continue with both.PHILOSOPHY OF PHYSICSLinking physics and philosophy throughout thecourse is the subject area of Philosophy of Physics.Topics covered include classical space-timeconcepts, foundations of special relativity,conceptual problems in quantum mechanics,concepts of symmetry and foundations of generalrelativity and statistical mechanics. This course isamongst the most demanding at Oxford. Studentsare expected to become as fluent in mathematicsas their single honours peers in physics, and asskilled in writing essays as those taking other jointdegrees involving philosophy.COLLEGE CHOICENot all colleges accept applications for Physics andPhilosophy. Some colleges will take Physics andPhilosophy students only occasionally (typically onein every year or two years); others have a policyof attempting to take at least two students peryear in the course if possible. These Colleges havesuch a policy: Balliol, Brasenose, Merton, Oriel,Pembroke, St Edmund Hall, St Hilda’s, Somerville,University.4