Physics with Theoretical Astrophysics, MSci (Hons)

Course summary

About Physics at the University of NottinghamWe have a proud history of learning and innovation. Research undertaken within the School of Physics and Astronomy, by Professor Sir Peter Mansfield, was recognised with a 2003 Nobel Prize for the invention of Magnetic Resonance Imaging body scanners. This technology has already helped more than half a billion people worldwide. More recently, our use of quantum technologies to understand how the brain works is changing the way that neurological conditions are detected and treated.Our research activities cover cutting-edge topics ranging from probing quantum mechanics at ultralow temperatures to understanding the largest structures in the Universe. Our courses offer a wide range of optional modules, so you can explore new areas of physics and specialise in the ones that interest you the most. You can study topics as diverse as cosmology, nanoscience, and medical imaging and learn from experts in those fields. What’s more, there is flexibility to transfer between most physics courses after the first year.Some of our teaching staff share their love of physics with budding scientists worldwide through the popular Sixty Symbols YouTube channel. Our unique, student centred MSci course offers innovative teaching methods, with few to no exams in the final year.We encourage students to share their fascination with physics with the wider community through our outreach programme. This programme can help you further develop skills such as organisation, communication and team working. We also have an active student society, PhysSoc, which organises social events throughout the year. Our mentoring scheme gives new starters the opportunity to connect with more experienced physics students, helping you settle into university life. Physics with Theoretical Astrophysics MSciThis course focuses on the sophisticated theoretical techniques and applications of modern physics. You will study specialist astrophysics modules such as The Structure of Stars and Extreme Astrophysics. There is no practical study after year one.Our unique fourth year will develop your professional and transferrable skills with immersive, student-centred learning. You will focus on fewer but more specialised areas and complete a year-long research project. Under the guidance of our expert staff you will benefit from a range of learning styles. These include group work, projects, delivering seminars and independent learning.

The first two years of this integrated masters course will develop your key practical, mathematical and computational skills. You will build up your knowledge of the subject through modules in the core elements of physics. In year two, you will study the same core modules as MSci Physics with Theoretical Physics. You won't do any laboratory work in this year or the next. Instead, you will study more advanced modules in theoretical astrophysics, such as Theory Toolbox and Classical Fields. In your third year, you will complete the core elements of physics and theoretical astrophysics. You will apply the wide range of skills that you have learned to a theoretical astrophysics project. Optional modules will give you the opportunity to study advanced physics modules that interest you. These modules include Scientific Computing, and Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos. In the final year, you will work on a range of activities, projects and presentations. You will also carry out a major research project, working on a cutting-edge problem in theoretical astrophysics.