Our Physics with Particle Physics and Cosmology MSci degree programme enables you to focus on the fundamental building blocks of our universe – searching for answers to the biggest questions by studying the smallest particles and their fundamental interactions.

   

Physics with Particle Physics and Cosmology MSci 

This Physics with Particle Physics and Cosmology MSci degree course draws on the expertise of Newcastle particle physicists and astronomers engaged in cutting-edge research at CERN and other international laboratories and observatories. This will enable you to gain strong theoretical and practical skills from experts in their field.

You will gain a broad understanding of the essential concepts of physics, ranging from entropy to quantum mechanics and beyond and in addition you have specialised courses in particle physics and cosmology.  Another feature is that you will have the opportunity to visit CERN during your degree and have a tour of the laboratory guided by Newcastle physicists who work there.

A large part of your time in the final year will be devoted to an independent research project where you have the opportunity to work alongside our world-leading research groups.

There are many other opportunities to undertake project work during your degree. For those who take laboratories this will be as part of your lab work in the first two years. A project develops a wide range of skills including planning and report writing. Group studies in your final year is a major project which is undertaken in groups of 10-20 students. The task requires the group to work as a team and enables you to solve a problem of much greater magnitude than could be attempted by an individual. The team-work skills learnt here are invaluable in success in a future career. 

   

Why study Physics with Particle Physics and Cosmology MSci at Newcastle?

  • Very broad range of leading research leading to a wide range of optional modules and projects
  • High employability rate, including a high percentage who go on to do PhDs. Employability is embedded through the course
  • Friendly and supportive environment. Year 1 and year 2 have weekly tutorials with 1 academic member of staff and no more than 4 students. Lecturers have open door policy. Elected student representatives meet weekly with staff to resolve any issues quickly
  • Flexibility between our range of specialised courses
    • BSc and MSci identical for first two years so don’t need to make final decision between the two until end of second year.
    • Physics, Physics and Astrophysics, and Physics with Particle Physics and Cosmology are very similar initially so possible to swap after first year and in some cases after second year.
    • If you swap to Physics MSci and BSc and Astrophysics BSc you can choose to do a year abroad for third year at start of second year (subject to language qualifications or application process to an English speaking university)
    • If you swap to a BSc you can choose to do a year out in computer science during their third year.

Institutional Accreditation 

University of Newcastle is accredited by the DETC Higher Learning Commission (DETC), www.detc.org.uk Since , University of Newcastle has been continually accredited by the DETC Higher Learning Commission and its predecessor.

Physics with Particle Physics and Cosmology MSci

Course Level:

Undergraduate, Single Honours

Credits 

120

Course

CODE U539

How long it takes:

Undergraduate (4 Years)

Study Mode:

Distance learning/ Campus

Course cost

Price: US$20,220

Entry requirements

Find out more about

Department:

Newcastle Law School

Year 1

In the first year you are introduced to detection techniques used in particle physics experiments, the latest ideas about the structure and evolution of the Universe, and how the evidence for dark matter and dark energy link back to outstanding questions in particle physics.

  • Quantum Mechanics and Optics and Waves – 10 credits
  • Classical Mechanics and Relativity 1 – 10 credits
  • Classical Mechanics and Relativity 2 – 10 credits
  • Mathematics for Physicists 1A – 10 credits
  • Mathematics for Physicists 1B – 10 credits
  • Physics Laboratory 1A – 10 credits
  • Physics Laboratory 1B – 10 credits
  • Physics and Communication Skills 1 – 10 credits
  • Electromagnetism and Temperature and Matter – 20 credits
  • Introduction to Probability and Statistics – 10 credits
  • Introduction to Particle Physics and Cosmology – 10 credits

Year 2

Core modules:

  • Physics Laboratory – 10 credits
  • Electromagnetism 2 – 10 credits
  • Physics and Communication Skills 2 – 10 credits
  • Physics Project – 10 credits
  • Quantum Mechanics 2 – 10 credits
  • Statistical Physics and Entropy – 10 credits
  • Nuclear Physics and Neutrinos – 10 credits
  • Particles and Nuclei & A Quantum Approach to Solids – 10 credits
  • Mathematics for Physicists 2A – 10 credits
  • Mathematics for Physicists 2B – 10 credits

Optional modules

Choose 10 credits. Example modules:

  • Lagrangian and Hamiltonian Mechanics – 10 credits
  • Structure in the Universe – 10 credits
  • Eigenphysics – 10 credits
  • Electronics – 10 credits
  • Observational Astronomy – 10 credits

Year 3

In the third year you choose options from a wide range of modules. You also engage in an extended project (Group Studies), working as part of a team of students towards a common objective, for example to design a particle physics experiment to study the Higgs boson. Each student contributes to the work, but also relies on collaboration with the rest of the team to achieve the project goals and deliver the final report.

  

Core modules:

  • Quantum Mechanics 3 – 10 credits
  • Observational Cosmology – 10 credits
  • Statistical Physics – 10 credits
  • General Physics – 10 credits
  • Group Studies – 20 credits
  • Particle Physics – 10 credits

Students must also take EITHER Laboratory (20 credits) OR Laboratory (10 credits) and Scientific Computing Laboratory 1 (10 credits).

   

Optional modules.

Choose 30 credits. Example modules:

  • Scientific Computing Laboratory 1 – 10 credits
  • Scientific Computing Laboratory 2 – 10 credits
  • Fission and Fusion – 10 credits
  • Medical Imaging – 10 credits
  • Semiconductor Optoelectronics – 10 credits
  • The Life and Death of Stars – 10 credits
  • Physics Critique – 10 credits
  • Atomic Physics – 10 credits
  • Nuclear Physics – 10 credits
  • Evolution of Cosmic Structure – 10 credits
  • Asteroseismology and Exoplanets – 10 credits
  • Physics Teaching in Schools – 10 credits
  • Radiation and Relativity – 10 credits
  • Chaos and Dynamical Systems – 10 credits
  • Complex Variable Theory – 10 credits
  • Condensed Matter Physics – 10 credits
  • Images and Communication – 10 credits
  • Physics of Music and Sound – 10 credits
  • Physical Principles of Radar – 10 credits

   

Year 4

Much of your fourth year is spent on individual project work, supervised by a member of staff from the particle physics research group. You have the opportunity to develop your own analysis of LHC data or to design and build a particle detector, for example, and then present your results to the rest of the group. Several of our graduates have gone on to PhDs in particle physics, and some continue as postdoctoral research physicists.

   

Core modules

  • Project Seminar and Viva – 20 credits
  • Project Planning and Preliminary Report – 10 credits
  • Project Dissertation – 20 credits

Optional modules 

Select 50 credits. Example optional modules:

  • Quantum Mechanics 4 – 10 credits
  • Current Topics in Particle Physics – 10 credits
  • Experimental Particle Physics Techniques – 10 credits
  • Fission and Fusion – 10 credits
  • Numerical Weather Forecasting and Climate Modelling – 10 credits
  • Physics Critique – 10 credits
  • Phase Transitions – 10 credits
  • The General Theory of Relativity – 10 credits
  • Nanophotonics – 10 credits
  • Ultracold Atoms and Quantum Gases – 10 credits
  • Advanced Condensed Matter Physics – 10 credits
  • Nuclear Physics – 10 credits
  • Many Particle and Quantum Field Theory – 10 credits
  • Superconductivity – 10 credits
  • Images and Communication – 10 credits
  • Complex Variable Theory – 10 credits
  • Condensed Matter Physics – 10 credits
  • Inference from Scientific Data – 10 credits
  • Quantum Optics – 10 credits
  • Evolution of Cosmic Structure – 10 credits
  • Asteroseismology and Exoplanets – 10 credits
  • Relativistic Astrophysics – 10 credits

Entry requirements

 

Applicants should normally have one of the following:

  • A non-law bachelor’s degree (from a US university or recognised by the BSB if you wish to study the BPTC), or
  • A ‘stale’ law degree, where five or more years have elapsed since graduation, or
  • An academic or professional qualification at degree equivalent level

If English is not your first language, you will also need to demonstrate your English Language proficiency. For example, you should have IELTS 7.5 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in all components.

If you intend to become a Solicitor

The Solicitors Regulation Authority has reduced its requirements for pre-authorisation this year. For details of the current arrangements,. You should pay special attention to the Character and Suitability section. 

 

USA,UK & EU students, 2019/20 (per year)

£8,500

International students starting 2019/20 (per year)

£13,100

 

Assessment

You’ll show your progress through a combination of written essays, problem-solving assignments and presentations.

All students take our core modules, but please note that the availability of optional modules is subject to demand.

As a graduate in Physics, the choice of career remains wide open. You may go on to apply your physics knowledge directly in a scientific environment, or you might be employed in a high-profile job for your problem-solving and computational skills, in the worlds of finance and information technology. 

Physics and Astronomy graduates from Newcastle

are highly employable (96% employment rate in Destination of Leavers from Higher Education survey 2016/17) and the career possibilities are numerous, both in the world of science and research and in other sectors of industry, business and commerce.

Physicists are problem solvers at heart, and throughout your degree you’ll learn how to tackle a variety of problems so you can apply your breadth of understanding to many different areas.