Strong mathematical training of a focussed nature is required, along with a firm foundation in core theoretical physics. The Theoretical Physics degree provides both of these elements, in a form suitable for the twenty-first century. Perhaps the most significant development in the last part of the twentieth century has been in Chaos and Dynamical Systems. You will be introduced to this subject in the first year and study it more deeply in the last two years of the course.
The realisation that fractals, Polymer Physics and phase transitions are related is another key recent development about which you will learn. And, of course, we teach the classical subjects of General Relativity (Einstein's theory of gravity), Classical and Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Field Theory, the language of Elementary Particle Physics.
The course is composed of a mixture of lectures, tutorials (in groups of two students in later years), workshops with challenging open-ended problems, and project work. In the final year of the MSci you become a member of the Theoretical Physics research group, working in an office in the group area. There are many optional courses, and we encourage theoretical students to take full advantage of these - progress (particularly in theoretical physics) often comes from analogy with another part of physics that is superficially unrelated.
There are many opportunities for learning computing skills, for example in the very demanding (but popular!) third-year optional computational physics course, where the complementary strengths and limitations of analytic and numerical work are laid bare in the context of real physics examples. There are also opportunities to learn C++ and Web IT skills.
In addition, if you select the MSci course you may elect to take further courses in place of experimental laboratories.
Programme and Module Descriptions
Course Co-ordinator- Professor Andy Schofield
