Physics with Astrophysics

Description

At the beginning of all physics courses all students study core areas of physics and mathematics to give a common foundation for specialization as the course progresses. Several different degree programmes are available, but with the common core material it is frequently possible to switch from one physics course to another at the end of the first year. The high level of research in the Department feeds through to making the undergraduate courses up-to-date, relevant and interesting.

The physics course covers a wide range of areas within the subject with advanced options in higher years. There is also include extensive practical and project work, with a very wide range of skills development leading to many careers options.

Careers

There are two main career routes for physics graduates, both of which have many branches;

• technical, physics related careers
• ‘non-physics’ careers

Physics graduates are sought after for many ‘non-physics’ jobs, such as finance, accountancy, business, management consultancy as described below.

Technical physics related jobs are available in high technology and related industries, including medicine, biotechnology, electronics, optics, aerospace, computation and nuclear technology; physicists work in research, in development, and in general production. For example, physicists work in hospitals as ‘Medical Physicists’ who work on radiation therapy, scanning and other physics related medical functions. Many physics graduates also take up careers in education, teaching in schools, colleges of further education or universities. Many physics graduates will go on to study for a PhD in physics, which provides the opportunity to explore a particular part of physics in great detail for three years and can enhance employment prospects.

Physics graduates are also successful in careers such as the City, finance, business, insurance, taxation and accountancy, where their problem solving skills and numeracy are highly valued.

Over a lifetime, only graduates in medicine or law earn more than those with a physics degree (source: Institute of Physics 2004 Salary Survey).

Physics graduates are highly employable and we are pleased that those from Queen’s are rated as the most employable in the UK. Furthermore, they are at least as employable as graduates from anywhere in the UK with degrees in what are often considered more vocational subjects such as Aeronautical Engineering, Chemical Engineering or Computer Science (source: The Times Good University Guide 2005).

Degree Plus and other related initiatives: Recognising student diversity, as well as promoting employability enhancements and other interests, is part of the developmental experience at Queen’s. Students are encouraged to plan and build their own, personal skill and experiential profile through a range of activities including; recognised Queen’s Certificates, placements and other work experiences (at home or overseas), Erasmus study options elsewhere in Europe, learning development opportunities and involvement in wider university life through activities, such as clubs, societies, and sports.

Queen’s actively encourages this type of activity by offering students an additional qualification, the Degree Plus Award (and the related Researcher Plus Award for PhD and MPhil students). Degree Plus accredits wider experiential and skill development gained through extra-curricular activities that promote the enhancement of academic, career management, personal and employability skills in a variety of contexts. As part of the Award, students are also trained on how to reflect on the experience(s) and make the link between academic achievement, extracurricular activities, transferable skills and graduate employment. Participating students will also be trained in how to reflect on their skills and experiences and can gain an understanding of how to articulate the significance of these to others, e.g. employers.

Overall, these initiatives, and Degree Plus in particular, reward the energy, drive, determination and enthusiasm shown by students engaging in activities over-and-above the requirements of their academic studies. These qualities are amongst those valued highly by graduate employers.

Detailed Course Facts

• EUR 4160 Year (EEA)
• EUR 13380 Year (Non-EEA)

England, Scotland and Wales £9,000; EU £3,575; International: £11,500

• English

Course Content

Stage 1

Students study Physics, Applied Mathematics, and, if desired, a third subject such as Computer Science. Physics topics include:

• Atomic and nuclear physics
• Electromagnetism
• Optics and lasers
• Quantum theory
• Relativity
• Solid state physics
• Thermal physics

Practical work includes the use of computers in physics, as well as a full range of experiments designed to develop laboratory skills, allowing students to experience phenomena covered in lectures. Tutorials, and problems set in connection with them, give experience in verbal and written communication, and in problem-solving.

Stages 2 and 3

Physics may be studied either as a Single Honours degree, as Physics, Physics with Astrophysics, Physics with Biomedical Applications, Physics with Extended Studies in Europe, Physics with Financial Mathematics, or Theoretical Physics; or depending on choice of Stage 1 modules, as a Joint Honours degree in conjunction with Applied Mathematics or Computer Science.

At Stage 2, according to degree selection, modules are taken which reveal the excitement of such areas as:

• Astronomy
• Atoms, Nuclei and Radiation
• Modern Physics
• Optics, Electricity and Magnetism
• Physics of the Solid State

Physics project work develops the skills of planning, carrying out and analysing experiments and simulations, and provides opportunities for deepening understanding of the wide applicability of physics.

At Stage 3, a choice of modules is made to develop further understanding of such areas as:

• Astrophysics
• Atomic and Molecular Physics
• Electromagnetic Radiation and Modern Optics
• Nuclear and Fundamental Particle Physics
• Optoelectronics and Physical Electronic
• Physics in Medicine
• Quantum Mechanics and Relativity
• Solid State Physics

Project work entails a major experimental or computational investigation of a particular physics problem; in conjunction with this a project report and associated poster are produced to a professional standard.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

BSc Applied Mathematics and Physics, BSc Theoretical Physics

• A-level A (Mathematics) BB including Physics
• Irish Leaving Certificate AB2B2B2B2 including Higher Level grade A in Mathematics and Higher Level grade B2 in Physics

Sc Physics with Financial Mathematics

• A-level AAB at A-level including grade A in Mathematics and Physics
  OR
  A* (Mathematics) A (Physics) C
• Irish Leaving Certificate AAB2B2B2C including Higher Level grade A in Mathematics and Physics

BSc other options

• A-level BBB at A-level including Mathematics and Physics
• Irish Leaving Certificate B2B2B2B2CC/B2B2B2B2B2 including Higher Level grade B2 in Mathematics and Physics

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than Queen's University Belfast.

Funding

Students in the School can benefit from scholarships and bursaries provided by the School of Mathematics and Physics and by external companies.

Accreditation

The degrees are accredited by the Institute of Physics with the exception of the new Physics with Financial Mathematics pathway, for which accreditation will be sought in the near future. Since it contains all the core physics elements common to the other accredited pathways it is anticipated that this accreditation will be granted.