Course summary

Our MPhys Physics with Astrophysics degree develops your understanding of the relationship between the physical laws of the universe and the astrophysical and cosmological domains. The specialist teaching is informed by our world-leading activities in space and planetary science, observational astrophysics and particle cosmology, and culminates in an individual investigative research project and advanced options in year four. You will obtain a thorough grounding in core physics areas such as Quantum Physics and Electromagnetism in your first year, Quantum Mechanics and Relativity in your second year, and Particle and Atomic Physics in your third year. Furthermore, this scheme also includes lectures on Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology in your second year and Stellar Astrophysics and Big Bang Cosmology in your third year, as well as specialised laboratory work in Astrophysics and Cosmology. In your third year, you also carry out an investigative Cosmology group project where you tackle a problem of current research. In your final year, you will complete an extended research project on topics such as binary variable stars, cosmic radio noise, gravitational waves and cosmic inflation, and study subjects such as Cosmology and Advanced Relativity and Gravity. For your project work, you can use our on-site astronomical observatory which contains a 356mm Schmidt-Cassegrain reflecting telescope and other equipment for optical and radio astronomy.