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2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Programme Catalogue

MSc Physics

Programme overview

Programme code
MSC-PHYS
UCAS code
Duration
12 Months
Method of Attendance
Full Time
Programme manager
Dr Adam Sweetman
Contact address
A.M.Sweetman@leeds.ac.uk
Total credits
180
School/Unit responsible for the parenting of students and programme
School of Physics and Astronomy
Examination board through which the programme will be considered
Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Groups
Physics and Astronomy

Entry requirements

  • A bachelor degree with 2:1 (hons) in physics or a related subject (such as geophysics, natural sciences, or mathematics).

    Applicants with engineering degrees will normally not be considered, unless they have a strong background in at least two of the following areas: astrophysics, quantum physics, biophysics, soft matter, or condensed matter.

    Applicants with a chemistry degree will normally not be considered, unless they have a strong background in mathematics.
  • All applicants will need to have GCSE English Language at grade C or above, or an appropriate English language qualification.
    We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications.

Programme specification

This programme will allow students to broaden and deepen their knowledge and skills in Physics at the forefront of research in the discipline, to attain a masters qualification that prepares them for further research within academia (PhD) or provides the experience to work in an industrial or other business related area.

Students can choose to study a wide range of optional modules or focus on a particular area of research expertise in the school, according to their interests and future career aspirations.

It is these ‘Pathways’ which are a feature of the programme. Under the umbrella of an MSc in Physics students can specialise in Astrophysics, Bionanophysics, Soft Matter Physics, Condensed Matter Physics, Quantum Technology, Optical Materials or Medical Imaging. Or they can take a diverse range of modules to suit their interests and keep their options open. Students will be advised of suitable module choices at the start of the programme.

Running alongside these modules students will undertake an advanced and extensive research project in one of the school’s internationally recognised research groups. This will enable the student to develop advanced skills in research planning, execution and reporting, possibly leading to publication of their work in an international journal.

Year 1

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

Compulsory Modules

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
PHAS5010M MSc Project 90 Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
PHAS5050M Current Research Topics in Physics 15 Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Optional Modules

Candidates will be required to study between 30 and 75 credits from the following optional modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
MEDP5312M Magnetic Resonance Imaging 15 1 Sep to 31 Jan
MEDP5331M Medical X-ray Imaging 15 1 Sep to 31 Jan
MEDP5332M X-ray Computed Tomography 15 1 Jan to 30 Jun
PHAS5100M Winds, Bubbles and Explosions 15 Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHAS5200M Soft Matter Physics: Liquid Crystals 15 Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHAS5210M Soft Matter Physics: Polymers, Colloids and Glasses 15 Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHAS5300M Superconductivity 15 Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
PHAS5310M Nanomagnetism 15 Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHAS5400M Quantum Many-Body Physics 15 Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHAS5410M Quantum Information Science and Technology 15 Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHAS5420M Quantum Field Theory 15 Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHAS5500M Advanced Bionanophysics Research 15 Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHAS5510M Physics of Biological Systems 15 Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Candidates may study between 0 and 45 credits of Level 3 modules from the list below, with approval of the Programme Leader:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
MEDP3512 Magnetic Resonance Imaging 10 1 Sep to 31 Jan
MEDP3531 Medical X-ray imaging 10 1 Sep to 31 Jan
MEDP3532 X-ray Computed Tomography 10 1 Jan to 30 Jun
PHYS3011 Cosmology 15 Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHYS3116 Photonics 15 Not running in 202425
PHYS3190 Molecular Simulation: Theory and Practice 15 Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHYS3281 Star and Planet Formation 15 1 Sep to 31 Jan (adv yr), Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHYS3383 Advanced Quantum Physics 15 Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHYS3390 Quantum Photonics 15 Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHYS3394 Quantum Matter 15 Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHYS3422 Magnetism in Condensed Matter 15 Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHYS3441 Statistical Mechanics 15 Not running in 202425
PHYS3511 Advanced Mechanics 15 Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHYS3523 Bionanophysics 15 Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHYS3543 Theoretical Elementary Particle Physics 15 Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Students should note that if they choose to take the maximum of 45 credits of non M-level modules, they must pass ALL 135 credits of M-level modules. Even if you pass all 45 credits of non M-level modules but fail 15 credits at M-Level, you will NOT be meeting the requirements for the MSc award. Students must pass a minimum of 135 M-level modules to meet the requirement for an MSc award.

Last updated: 06/09/2024 14:54:54

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