26th October 2021

On the ‘Modules’ tab we updated the Core modules text.

Previous content:

The Warwick joint degree course is among the best established in the country and the course includes a number of modules from both contributing departments designed specifically for joint degree students.

In the first year you take essential (core) modules in both mathematics and physics. You also take at least one additional module chosen from a list of options. At the end of the first year it is possible to change to either of the single honours courses, providing you satisfy certain requirements in the end of year examinations.

In the second and third years, there is considerable freedom to choose modules. By then you will have a good idea of your main interests and be well placed to decide which areas of mathematics and physics to study in greater depth.

Revised content:

The Warwick joint degree course is among the best established in the country and the course includes a number of modules from both contributing departments designed specifically for joint degree students.

In the first year you take essential (core) modules in both mathematics and physics. At the end of the first year it is possible to change to either of the single honours courses, providing you satisfy certain requirements in the end of year examinations.

In the second and third years, there is considerable freedom to choose modules. By then you will have a good idea of your main interests and be well placed to decide which areas of mathematics and physics to study in greater depth.

We removed the 'Important information' box on the page following University approval:

Important information
We are making some exciting changes to our Mathematics and Physics (BSc) degree for 2022 entry. Our core and optional modules are currently undergoing approval through the University's rigorous academic processes. As changes are confirmed, we will update the course information on this webpage. It is therefore very important that you check this webpage for the latest information before you apply and prior to accepting an offer.

On the 'Modules' tab we revised the modules listed for Year One:

Previous content:

Year One

Mathematical Analysis
Analysis is the rigorous study of calculus. In this module there will be considerable emphasis throughout on the need to argue with much greater precision and care than you had to at school. With the support of your fellow students, lecturers and other helpers, you will be encouraged to move on from the situation where the teacher shows you how to solve each kind of problem, to the point where you can develop your own methods for solving problems. By the end of the year you will be able to answer interesting questions like, what do we mean by `infinity'?

Sets and Numbers

Linear Algebra

Differential Equations
Can you predict the trajectory of a tennis ball? In this module you cover the basic theory of ordinary differential equations (ODEs), the cornerstone of all applied mathematics. ODE theory proves invaluable in branches of pure mathematics, such as geometry and topology. You will be introduced to simple differential and difference equations and methods for their solution. You will cover first-order equations, linear second-order equations and coupled first-order linear systems with constant coefficients, and solutions to differential equations with one-and two-dimensional systems. We will discuss why in three dimensions we see new phenomena, and have a first glimpse of chaotic solutions.

Physics Foundations

Electricity and Magnetism

Classical Mechanics and Relativity

Quantum Phenomena
This module begins by showing you how classical physics is unable to explain some of the properties of light, electrons and atoms. (Theories in physics, which make no reference to quantum theory, are usually called classical theories.) You will then deal with some of the key contributions to the development of quantum physics including those of: Planck, who first suggested that the energy in a light wave comes in discrete units or 'quanta'; Einstein, whose theory of the photoelectric effect implied a 'duality' between particles and waves; Bohr, who suggested a theory of the atom that assumed that not only energy, but also angular momentum, was quantised; and Schrödinger who wrote down the first wave-equations to describe matter.

Physics Programming Workshop

Revised content:

Year One

• Analysis I/II
• Sets and Numbers
• Linear Algebra
• Methods of Mathematical Modelling I and II
• Physics Foundations
• Electricity and Magnetism
• Classical Mechanics and Special Relativity
• Quantum Phenomena
• Physics Programming Workshop

We also revised the modules listed for Year Two:

Previous content:

Year Two

Analysis III

Methods of Mathematical Physics

Multivariable Calculus

Partial Differential Equations

Variational Principles
This course will introduce you to the calculus of variations and to appreciate its centrality to the formulation and understanding of physical laws and problems in geometry. At its conclusion, you should be able to set up and solve minimisation problems with and without constraints, derive Euler-Lagrange equations and appreciate how the laws of mechanics and geometrical problems involving least length and least area fit into this framework.

Physics of Fluids
The field of fluids is one of the richest and most easily appreciated in physics. Tidal waves, cloud formation and the weather generally are some of the more spectacular phenomena encountered in fluids. In this module you will establish the basic equations of motion for a fluid - the Navier-Stokes equations - and show that in many cases they can yield simple and intuitively appealing explanations of fluid flows. You will be concentrating on incompressible fluids.

Quantum Mechanics and its Applications

Thermal Physics II
Any macroscopic object we meet contains a large number of particles, each of which moves according to the laws of mechanics (which can be classical or quantum). Yet, we can often ignore the details of this microscopic motion and use a few average quantities such as temperature and pressure to describe and predict the behaviour of the object. Why we can do this, when we can do this and how to do it are the subject of this module. The most important idea in the field is due to Boltzmann, who identified the connection between entropy and disorder. The module shows you how the structure of equilibrium thermodynamics follows from Boltzmann's definition of the entropy and shows you how, in principle, any observable equilibrium quantity can be computed.

Electromagnetic Theory and Optics
You will develop the ideas of first year electricity and magnetism into Maxwell's theory of electromagnetism. Maxwell's equations pulled the various laws of electricity and magnetism (Faraday's law, Ampere's law, Lenz's law, Gauss's law) into one unified and elegant theory. The module shows you that Maxwell's equations in free space have time-dependent solutions, which turn out to be the familiar electromagnetic waves (light, radio waves, X-rays, etc.), and studies their behaviour at material boundaries (Fresnel Equations). You will also cover the basics of optical instruments and light sources.

Revised content:

Year Two

• Analysis III
• Methods of Mathematical Physics
• Multivariable Calculus
• Norms, Metrics and Topologies
• Partial Differential Equations
• Hamiltonian and Fluid Mechanics
• Quantum Mechanics and its Applications
• Statistical Mechanics, Electromagnetic Theory and Optics

As well as revising the optional modules listed:

Previous content:

• Probability
• Programming for Scientists
• Geometry
• Metric Spaces
• Functional Analysis
• Galaxies
• Physics in Medicine
• The Solar System
• Hamiltonian Mechanics
• Electrodynamics

Revised content:

• Measure Theory
• Topics in Mathematical Biology
• Complex Analysis
• Fluid Dynamics
• Theory of PDEs
• Physics Project
• Quantum Physics of Atoms
• Electrodynamics
• Kinetic Theory
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Scientific Computing
• The Earth and Its Atmosphere
• Plasma Physics and Fusion
• The Standard Model
• Galaxies and Cosmology
• Statistical Physics
• Physics of Life and Medicine
• Black Holes, White Dwarfs and Neutron Stars

4th March 2021

We have added an important information notice to the ‘modules’ tab:

Important information

We are making some exciting changes to our Mathematics and Physics (BSc) degree for 2022 entry. Our core and optional modules are currently undergoing approval through the University's rigorous academic processes. As changes are confirmed, we will update the course information on this webpage. It is therefore very important that you check this webpage for the latest information before you apply and prior to accepting an offer.

Initial launch

This page was launched on 2nd March 2020.