Students may enter Second Science from the First Science Area of Study Physics and Astrophysics (CK408), and may proceed to a BSc Single Honours Degree in Astrophysics, Science Education (Physics Route only) or Physics, or a Joint Honours Degree in Physics with one of Applied Mathematics or Mathematics.

BSc SINGLE HONOURS DEGREE

To progress to Second Science Single Honours Physics students must have passed the First Science Examination overall.

Students registered for the BSc Single Honours Degree in Physics may re-register for the BSc Single Honours in Astrophysics programme (or vice versa) at the end of their First or Second Years, subject to having passed the First Science Examination overall.

BSc JOINT HONOURS

Students in the Physics and Astrophysics Area of Study (CK408) who have passed First Science are eligible to enter the Joint Honours programme in Physics and Mathematics.

Students in the Physics and Astrophysics Area of Study (CK408) wishing to proceed to the Joint Honours programme in Physics and Applied Mathematics must have taken AM1054 (5 credits) from the list of electives for CK408 and passed First Science in order to be eligible for entering the Joint Honours programme in Physics and Applied Mathematics.

Students in the Physics and Astrophysics Area of Study (CK408) wishing to proceed to the Chemical Physics degree programme must have taken either CM1006 (10 credits) or CM1007 (15 credits) from the list of electives for CK408 and passed First Science in order to be eligible for entering the Chemical Physics degree programme.

Students from the Mathematical Sciences Area of Study (CK407) who have taken the Physics modules PY1052 and PY1053 in First Science, and who pass First Science, will be eligible to enter the Joint Honours programme in Physics and Applied Mathematics or Physics and Mathematics.

The programme structures for Physics are shown in Table 7.

TABLE 7 - PHYSICS

Programme Requirements

SECOND SCIENCE
Students take 60 credits as follows:

Physics: PY2101 (5 credits), PY2102 (5 credits), PY2103 (5 credits), PY2104 (5 credits), PY2105 (5 credits),
PY2106 (5 credits), PY2107 (5 credits), PY2108 (5 credits)

Applied Mathematics: AM2060 (5 credits), AM2071 (5 credits)

Mathematics: MA2071 (5 credits)
plus 5 credits from:
AM2052 (5 credits), MA2054 (5 credits), MA2055 (5 credits), CM2003 (5credits), CM2004 (5 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.
THIRD SCIENCE
Students take 60 credits as follows:

Physics: PY3101 (5 credits), PY3102 (5 credits), PY3103 (5 credits), PY3104 (5 credits), PY3105 (5 credits),
PY3106 (5 credits), PY3107 (5 credits), PY3108 (5 credits)

Minors: AM2061 (5 credits), AM3051 (5 credits)
plus 10 credits from:
AM3052 (5 credits), AM3062 (5 credits)*, AM3064 (5 credits), PY3109 (5 credits)

* If AM3062 is not taken in Third Science then one of AM3062 or PY4101 must be taken in Fourth Science.

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.
OR

Astrophysics: PY3101 (5 credits), PY3102 (5 credits), PY3103 (5 credits), PY3104 (5 credits), PY3105 (5 credits), PY3106 (5 credits), PY3107 (5 credits), PY3108 (5 credits), PY3109 (5 credits)

Minors: AM2061 (5 credits), AM3051 (5 credits)
plus 5 credits from:
AM3052 (5 credits), AM3062 (5 credits)*, AM3064 (5 credits)

* If AM3062 is not taken in Third Science then one of AM3062 or PY4101 must be taken in Fourth Science.

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

FOURTH SCIENCE
Students take 60 credits as follows:

Physics: PY4115 (10 credits - major research project)
plus 50 credits from:
AM3052 (5 credits), AM3062 (5 credits)*, PY4101 (5 credits)*, PY4102 (5 credits), PY4103 (5 credits), PY4104 (5 credits), PY4105 (5 credits), PY4106 (5 credits), PY4108 (5 credits), PY4109 (5 credits), PY4110 (5 credits), PY4111 (5 credits),
PY4112 (5 credits), PY4113 (5 credits), PY4117 (5 credits), PY4118 (5 credits), PY4126 (5 credits)

* If AM3062 is not taken in Third Science then one of AM3062 or PY4101 must be taken in Fourth Science.

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.
OR

Astrophysics: PY4110 (5 credits), PY4111 (5 credits), PY4112 (5 credits), PY4115 (10 credits - major research project)
plus 35 credits from:
AM3052 (5 credits), AM3062 (5 credits)*, PY4101 (5 credits), PY4102 (5 credits), PY4103 (5 credits), PY4104 (5 credits), PY4105 (5 credits), PY4106 (5 credits), PY4108 (5 credits), PY4109 (5 credits), PY4113 (5 credits), PY4117 (5 credits), PY4118 (5 credits), PY4126 (5 credits)

* If AM3062 is not taken in Third Science then one of AM3062 or PY4101 must be taken in Fourth Science.

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Notes:

1. At most 35 credits can be taken in any one Semester.
2. The substitution of taught modules by Project modules requires special permission from the Head of the Department.
3. Other Elective modules may be selected from outside the Physics Department with the approval of the Head of Department.
4. Individual elective modules may occasionally not be offered in some calendar years.

Examinations

Single Honours
Students who pass the Third University Examination and qualify to proceed into Fourth Science may opt instead to be conferred with a BSc Ordinary Degree. Students who pass the Third University Examination in Science, but do not qualify to proceed into Fourth Science will be awarded a BSc Ordinary Degree.

Joint Honours
Students who pass the Third University Examination in Science (Physics) and who qualify to proceed into Fourth Science may opt instead to be conferred with a BSc Ordinary degree.

The Fourth Science Research Project must be passed for the award of a BSc (Hons) Degree. There is no Autumn Supplemental Examination in the Research Project module which, if failed, must be repeated in a repeat year.

Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2022/2023 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2022/2023.

Programme Requirements

Descriptions may be found here.

FOURTH SCIENCE (for 2021/22 only)
Students take 60 credits as follows:

Physics and Applied Mathematics:

Students take one of PY4115 (10 credits) or MS4090 (10 credits) together with

Physics (25 credits) from: PY3105, PY3106**, PY4101, PY4102, PY4103, PY4104, PY4105, PY4106, PY4108, PY4109, PY4110, PY4111, PY4112, PY4113, PY4117, PY4118, PY4126, (5 credits per module)

Applied Mathematics (25 credits): AM4062, AM4063, AM4064, AM4065, AM4067 (5 credits per module)

OR

Physics and Mathematics

Students take one of MS4090 (10 credits) or PY4115 (10 credits) together with

Physics (25 credits): Students take either: AM3062 (5 credits) or PY4101 (5 credits) plus 20 credits from:
AM3052, PY3105, PY3106**, PY4102, PY4103, PY4104, PY4105, PY4106, PY4108, PY4109, PY4110, PY4111, PY4112, PY4113, PY4117, PY4118, PY4126 (5 credits per module)

Mathematics (25 credits): Students take 15 credits of core modules as follows: MA4052, MA4058, MA4059 (each 5 credits)
plus 10 credits from the following: MA4062, MA4063, MF4054 (each 5 credits)

** If PY3106 is not taken in Third Science it must be taken in Fourth Science.

Notes:

1. At most 35 credits can be taken in any one Semester.
2. The substitution of taught modules by project modules requires special permission from the Head of Department.
3. Other elective modules may be selected from outside the Physics Department with the approval of Head of Department.
4. Individual elective modules may occasionally not be offered on some calendar years.

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations

Single Honours
Students who pass the Third University Examination and qualify to proceed into Fourth Science may opt instead to be conferred with a BSc Ordinary Degree. Students who pass the Third University Examination in Science, but do not qualify to proceed into Fourth Science will be awarded a BSc Ordinary Degree.

Joint Honours
Students who pass the Third University Examination in Science (Physics) and who qualify to proceed into Fourth Science may opt instead to be conferred with a BSc Ordinary degree.

The Fourth Science Research Project must be passed for the award of a BSc (Hons) Degree. There is no Autumn Supplemental Examination in the Research Project module which, if failed, must be repeated in a repeat year.

Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2022/2023 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2022/2023.

PROGRAMME REQUIREMENTS

SECOND SCIENCE
Students take 60 credits as follows:
AM2052 (5 credits), AM2060 (5 credits), AM2061 (5 credits), AM2071 (5 credits), MA2051 (5 credits), MA2055 (5 credits), MA2071 (5 credits), PY2101 (5 credits), PY2102 (5 credits), PY2103 (5 credits), PY2106 (5 credits), PY2107 (5 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

THIRD SCIENCE
Students take 60 credits as follows:

Core (35 credits):
AM3051 (5 credits), MA3051 (5 credits), PY2104 (5 credits), PY3102 (5 credits), PY3103 (5 credits), PY3104 (5 credits), PY3107 (5 credits)

Electives (25 credits):
10 credits from: PY3101 (5 credits)*, PY3105 (5 credits)*, PY3106 (5 credits)*, PY3109 (5 credits)
Plus
15 credits from: AM3052 (5 credits), AM3062 (5 credits)**, AM3063 (5 credits), AM3064 (5 credits), AM3065 (5 credits), MA2054 (5 credits), MA3052 (5 credits), MA3054 (5 credits), MA3056 (5 credits), MA3062 (5 credits), MA3063 (5 credits), ST2054 (10 credits).

Notes:

• * at least 2 of these 3 modules must be taken during years 3 and 4
• ** AM3062 must be taken in year 4 if not taken in year 3, in which case PY4101 cannot also be taken in year 4.

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

FOURTH SCIENCE
Students take 60 credits as follows:

Project (10 credits)

Students take one of MS4090 (10 credits), PY4115 (10 credits)

Electives (50 credits):
Students take a total of 50 credits of modules from the following lists (see note):

List A: AM3052 (5 credits), AM3062** (5 credits), AM3063 (5 credits), AM3064 (5 credits), AM3065 (5 credits), MA3052 (5 credits), MA3054 (5 credits), MA3056 (5 credits), ST3053 (5 credits)

List B: AM4062 (5 credits), AM4063 (5 credits), AM4064 (5 credits), AM4065 (5 credits), MA4052 (5 credits), MA4058 (5 credits), MA4062 (5 credits), MA4063 (5 credits), MF4054 (5 credits)

List C: PY3101* (5 credits), PY3105* (5 credits), PY3106* (5 credits)

List D: PY4101** (5 credits), PY4102 (5 credits), PY4103 (5 credits), PY4104 (5 credits), PY4105 (5 credits), PY4106 (5 credits), PY4108 (5 credits), PY4109 (5 credits), PY4110 (5 credits), PY4111 (5 credits), PY4112 (5 credits), PY4113 (5 credits), PY4117 (5 credits), PY4118 (5 credits)

Notes:

• A total of 25 credits must be taken from the combination of Lists A and B
• A total of 25 credits must be taken from the combination of Lists C and D
• A total of at most 15 credits may be taken from the combination of Lists A and C, and only modules not previously taken may be chosen
• *at least 2 of these 3 modules must be taken during years 3 and 4
• ** AM3062 must be taken in year 4 if not taken in year 3, in which case PY4101 cannot also be taken in year 4.

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Students who have passed Third Year may choose not to proceed to Fourth Year and may opt instead to be conferred with a BSc Ordinary Degree.

Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2022/2023 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2022/2023.

Programme Learning Outcomes for BSc in Applied Mathematics and Physics (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Formulate mathematical models for problems arising in Science;
• Analytically solve mathematical problems coming from real-world applications using mathematical tools and approximation techniques distilled from the theory of partial and stochastic differential equations, fluid mechanics, nonlinear dynamical systems, optimisation, asymptotic methods and other topics in applied mathematics;
• Implement numerical algorithms and apply numerical techniques for the solution of mathematical models of science problems on a computer using software packages such as Mathematica and C programming languages;
• Communicate with researchers of diverse scientific backgrounds and disciplines, contributing to formulation, testing and verification of mathematical models and solution of science problems by methods of applied mathematics;
• Identify, formulate, analyse and solve physics problems;
• Design an experiment to test a hypothesis or theory in physics;
• Prepare written laboratory reports that provide a description of the experiment, explain the experiment and reasoning clearly, and provide an appropriate conclusion.

Programme Learning Outcomes for BSc in Astrophysics (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Derive and apply solutions from knowledge of physics, astrophysics, and mathematics;
• Identify, formulate, analyse and solve physics and astrophysics problems;
• Design an experiment to test a hypothesis or theory in physics and astrophysics;
• Prepare written laboratory reports that provide a description of the experiment, explain the experiment and reasoning clearly, and provide an appropriate conclusion;
• Communicate effectively with the physics and astrophysics communities.

Programme Learning Outcomes for BSc in Mathematics and Physics (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Apply their knowledge and understanding of the basic concepts, theories, principles and methods of mathematics to analyse and solve problems of a mathematical nature;
• Give clear and organized written and verbal explanations of mathematical ideas;
• Demonstrate mastery of the core concepts of several areas of pure mathematics and recognize the interdependency of different areas.
• Extend course material to solve original problems;
• Contribute effectively as members of project teams dealing with mathematical topics, including the delivery of oral presentations and written reports;
• Derive and apply solutions from knowledge of physics and mathematics;
• Identify, formulate, analyse and solve physics problems;
• Design an experiment to test a hypothesis or theory in physics;
• Prepare written laboratory reports that provide a description of the experiment, explain the experiment and reasoning clearly, and provide an appropriate conclusion;
• Communicate effectively with the physics community.

Programme Learning Outcomes for BSc in Physics (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Derive and apply solutions from knowledge of physics and mathematics;
• Identify, formulate, analyse and solve physics problems;
• Design an experiment to test a hypothesis or theory in physics;
• Prepare written laboratory reports that provide a description of the experiment, explain the experiment and reasoning clearly, and provide an appropriate conclusion;
• Communicate effectively with the physics community.