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Bachelor of Science (Honours) Physics


Important entry information

Entry to first year is the standard entry route, and the route which can provide the broadest education, and which can give most flexibility in final choice of degree. Students who are aiming for a degree in Physics or Astrophysics and who enter with good Advanced Highers or A-levels or equivalent in Physics and Mathematics may apply for an accelerated entry route to the programme, which can reduce the length of the BSc Honours programme to three years and the MPhys programme to four years. The special Physics and Astronomy (Gateway) first year allows subsequent progression to the second year of all the single-honours degree programmes in the School, and the joint degrees with the School of Mathematics.

Programme Requirements

BSc (Hons) Physics: First year
Code Module name Credits
PH1011 Physics 1A 20 AND
PH1012 Physics 1B 20 AND
MT1002 Mathematics 20 AND
Remaining credits from Level 1000 options

Further requirements

Choose 120 credits in the academic year

Students without prerequisite for MT1002 will take MT1001 in Semester 1.

Appropriately qualified applicants may bypass first year and have direct entry to second year.
BSc (Hons) Physics: Second year
Code Module name Credits
PH2011 Physics 2A 30 AND
PH2012 Physics 2B 30 AND
MT2501 Linear Mathematics 15 AND
MT2503 Multivariate Calculus 15 AND
Remaining credits from Levels 1000 and 2000 options

Further requirements

Choose 120 credits in the academic year
Choose a minimum of 80 Level 2000 credits

Automatic entry to Honours requires grade 11 in

  • Mean over passing grades in PH2011 and PH2012
  • [Mean over passing grades in MT2501 and MT2503] OR [Mean over passing grades in [MT2501 and MT2503 and one or more module from MT2502, MT2504-MT2508)]

    • BSc Honours

    The general requirements are 480 credits over a period of normally four years (and not more than five years) or part-time equivalent, of which the final two years form an approved Honours programme of 240 credits, of which 90 credits are at 4000 level and at least a further 120 credits at 3000 and/or 4000 levels.

    BSc (Hons) Physics: Third year
    Code Module name Credits
    View list 105 credits from Module List: PH3007, PH3012, PH3014, PH3061 - PH3062, PH3080 - PH3081, PH3101 AND
    PH3007 Electromagnetism 15
    PH3012 Thermal and Statistical Physics 15
    PH3014 Transferable Skills for Physicists 15
    PH3061 Quantum Mechanics 1 10
    PH3062 Quantum Mechanics 2 10
    PH3080 Computational Physics 10
    PH3081 Mathematics for Physicists 15
    PH3101 Physics Laboratory 1 15
    Note:
    - Not all modules are available in every academic year and/or semester
    - Individual modules may have requisites to satisfy to be eligible to select them

    For further details, see the module catalogue entry for each individual module above
    View list 15 credits from Module List: AS3000-AS4999,PH3000 - PH4109, MT3501
    AS3013 Computational Astrophysics 15
    AS4010 Extragalactic Astronomy 15
    AS4011 The Physics of Nebulae and Stars 1 15
    AS4012 The Physics of Nebulae and Stars 2 15
    AS4015 Gravitational and Accretion Physics 15
    AS4025 Observational Astrophysics 15
    AS4103 Astrophysics Project (BSc) 30
    PH3007 Electromagnetism 15
    PH3012 Thermal and Statistical Physics 15
    PH3014 Transferable Skills for Physicists 15
    PH3061 Quantum Mechanics 1 10
    PH3062 Quantum Mechanics 2 10
    PH3074 Electronics 15
    PH3080 Computational Physics 10
    PH3081 Mathematics for Physicists 15
    PH3082 Mathematics for Chemistry / Physics 20
    PH3101 Physics Laboratory 1 15
    PH4026 Signals and Information 15
    PH4027 Optoelectronics and Nonlinear Optics 15
    PH4028 Advanced Quantum Mechanics 15
    PH4031 Fluids 15
    PH4032 Special Relativity and Fields 15
    PH4034 Laser Physics 1 15
    PH4035 Principles of Optics 15
    PH4036 Physics of Music 15
    PH4038 Lagrangian and Hamiltonian Dynamics 15
    PH4039 Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics 15
    PH4040 Nuclear and Particle Physics with Advanced Skills 15
    PH4041 Atomic, Nuclear, and Particle Physics 15
    PH4042 Concepts in Atomic Physics and Magnetic Resonance 15
    PH4043 Studies in Physics and Chemistry 5
    PH4044 Advanced Condensed Matter Physics 15
    PH4045 Data Processing for biomedical imaging and sensing 15
    PH4105 Physics Laboratory 2 15
    MT3501 Linear Mathematics 2 15
    Note:
    - Not all modules are available in every academic year and/or semester
    - Individual modules may have requisites to satisfy to be eligible to select them

    For further details, see the module catalogue entry for each individual module above

    Further requirements

    Choose 120 credits in academic year

    With the approval of the Adviser of Studies modules outwith the range AS3000-AS4999, PH3000 - PH4109, ID4001 may be taken.
    BSc (Hons) Physics: Fourth year
    Code Module name Credits
    PH4039 Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics 15 AND
    PH4041 Atomic, Nuclear, and Particle Physics 15 AND
    PH4105 Physics Laboratory 2 15 AND
    PH4111 Physics Project (BSc) 30 AND
    View list 45 credits from Module List: AS3000 - AS4999, PH3000 - PH4109, ID4001
    AS3013 Computational Astrophysics 15
    AS4010 Extragalactic Astronomy 15
    AS4011 The Physics of Nebulae and Stars 1 15
    AS4012 The Physics of Nebulae and Stars 2 15
    AS4015 Gravitational and Accretion Physics 15
    AS4025 Observational Astrophysics 15
    AS4103 Astrophysics Project (BSc) 30
    PH3007 Electromagnetism 15
    PH3012 Thermal and Statistical Physics 15
    PH3014 Transferable Skills for Physicists 15
    PH3061 Quantum Mechanics 1 10
    PH3062 Quantum Mechanics 2 10
    PH3074 Electronics 15
    PH3080 Computational Physics 10
    PH3081 Mathematics for Physicists 15
    PH3082 Mathematics for Chemistry / Physics 20
    PH3101 Physics Laboratory 1 15
    PH4026 Signals and Information 15
    PH4027 Optoelectronics and Nonlinear Optics 15
    PH4028 Advanced Quantum Mechanics 15
    PH4031 Fluids 15
    PH4032 Special Relativity and Fields 15
    PH4034 Laser Physics 1 15
    PH4035 Principles of Optics 15
    PH4036 Physics of Music 15
    PH4038 Lagrangian and Hamiltonian Dynamics 15
    PH4039 Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics 15
    PH4040 Nuclear and Particle Physics with Advanced Skills 15
    PH4041 Atomic, Nuclear, and Particle Physics 15
    PH4042 Concepts in Atomic Physics and Magnetic Resonance 15
    PH4043 Studies in Physics and Chemistry 5
    PH4044 Advanced Condensed Matter Physics 15
    PH4045 Data Processing for biomedical imaging and sensing 15
    PH4105 Physics Laboratory 2 15
    ID4001 Communication and Teaching in Science 15
    Note:
    - Not all modules are available in every academic year and/or semester
    - Individual modules may have requisites to satisfy to be eligible to select them

    For further details, see the module catalogue entry for each individual module above

    Further requirements

    Choose 120 credits in academic year

    With the approval of the Adviser of Studies modules outwith the range AS3000-AS4999, PH3000 - PH4109, ID4001 may be taken.

    Accreditation

    All the BSc, MSci, and MPhys single and joint Honours degrees in which Physics or Astrophysics is in the title are accredited by the UK Institute of Physics.

    Study abroad

    In the case of students who spend part of the Honours programme on a recognised Study Abroad scheme, the Programme Requirements will be amended to take into account overseas courses which are approved by the relevant St Andrews School in the Learning Agreement (see www.st-andrews.ac.uk/students/study-abroad/academic ).