Course Specifications
The final year of the four year (MMathPhys) degree has a single compulsory component, the Project, with further modules chosen from option lists.
Enough options must be taken in order to raise the total load to at least 120 CATS credits. You should choose modules totalling at least 45 CATS credits from the list of optional modules including at least 15 CATS credits from List A and at least 15 credits from List B. Over your third and fourth years combined, you must take at least 120 CATS credits derived from level 4 modules (those with a MA4** or PX4** code). Subject to the approval of the Chair of the Department of Physics, external options, may also be taken. The maximum is 150 CATS credits.
| Core Module | Weeks | CATS Credit |
|---|---|---|
| PX402 Physics Project | 1-10, 15-24 | 45 |
| Option List A | ||
| MA424 Dynamical Systems | 1-10 | 15 |
| MA433 Fourier Analysis | 1-10 | 15 |
| MA4A7 Quantum Mechanics: Basic Principles and Probabilistic Methods | 15-24 | 15 |
| MA4E7 Population Dynamics: Ecology and Epidemiology | 15-24 | 15 |
| MA4J1 Continuum Mechanics | 15-24 | 15 |
| MA4L0 Advanced Topics in Fluids | 1-10 | 15 |
| MA4L2 Statistical Mechanics | 1-10 | 15 |
| Option List B | ||
| PX431 Structure and Dynamics of Solids | 15-24 | 15 |
| PX436 General Relativity | 1-10 | 15 |
| PX443 Planets, Exoplanets and Life | 15-24 | 15 |
| PX446 Condensed Matter Physics II | 1-10 | 15 |
| PX447 Quantum Computation and Simulation | 15-24 | 15 |
| PX453 Advanced Quantum Theory | 1-10 | 15 |
| PX454 Theoretical Particle Physics | 15-24 | 15 |
| PX456 Solar and Space Physics | 15-24 |
15 |
| PX457 High Performance Computing | 1-10, 15-19 |
15 |
| PX458 The Distant Universe | 1-10 |
15 |
You may take the other MA3.. and MA4.. modules as normal options listed in the diets but you should note the level 4 requirement below. If you are interested in taking modules not listed in the diet please contact the undergraduate office.
Level 4 Requirement
Please note the requirement to take at least 120 CATS of level 4 modules (those with MA4** or PX4** codes). You have already taken at least 22.5 CATS credits (Maths/Phys Laboratory 15 and Kinetic Theory 7.5). You should also read the rules about examinations and classification which explains how many credits need to be passed and at which level.
Load
Where options are taken, so that the load exceeds the normal load, the marks for all modules attempted will appear on your University transcript. The overall year mark will be calculated as the arithmetic mean of the subset of whole modules, weighted according to their credit weighting, which satisfies the course regulations and results in the highest mark.
Unusual and Outside Options
There are no outside options listed in the course specifications. However, certain outside options may be taken with the approval of the Director of Studies. If you wish to take an unusual option you should consult our document on unusual options prior to taking any such modules.
Please note that Maths/Physics students are NOT permitted to take PX440 Mathematical Methods for Physicists III, which covers material met in MA-taught modules.
In choosing your options you may wish to note that Mathematics options taught in term 1 are usually examined in the first week of term 3.