Physics with Shock Physics

Shock physics focuses on the understanding of what happens to matter under extreme conditions. This research can be applied in many ways, including:

• analysing the effect of meteorite impacts on planets, spacecraft and satellites
• understanding how tsunamis are formed
• understanding the high pressure conditions that occur at the core of planets

This course explores the response of a wide range of materials, from rock to plasma, when subjected to rapid or high pressure loading. This area is important for a number of applications, including:

• preventing impact damage to transportation vehicles
• petrochemical and other offshore platforms
• astrophysics and studies into the internal conditions of nuclear energy reactors

You will be trained in techniques that are of value to potential industrial employers, government agencies and other organisations.

This course shares the same content as the 12-month MSc in Physics except you replace three optional modules with three compulsory modules in shock physics.

MODULES

Compulsory modules

• Mathematical techniques
• Advanced Classical Physics (unless you have covered the material in your previous degree in which case another optional module may be chosen)
• Background to shock physics
• Hydrodynamics and shocks
• Shock physics in context

Project work

• Research skills training – a series of practical work and computer based classes
• Self-study project – a literature based project on a topic in shock physics
• Literature review and project plan
• Supervised research project undertaken with the Institute of Shock Physics

You also attend professional skills courses, delivered by the Graduate School.

Optional modules

You choose options from a list of specialised lecture courses at Level 4 from the MSci course or one of the Department’s Master’s courses. You may include one Level 3 course in your choice.

There is also an optional five-day explosives course.

The minimum qualification for admission is normally a first class honours degree in Physics from a UK academic institution or an equivalent overseas qualification.

If your first degree is from a country other than the UK, you may find the guidelines within our Country Index helpful. Please note that these guidelines indicate the College minimum. Our requirement is usually higher.

Applicants with degrees in other scientific disciplines (e.g. Engineering, Chemistry, Mathematics) may be considered if the degree has significant physics content and a strong mathematical underpinning.

Tuition fees (2015–2016):

• Home/EU Full-time — £9,000
• Overseas Full-time — £24,000