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2022/23 Taught Postgraduate Programme Catalogue

MSc Physics

Programme code:MSC-PHYSUCAS 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

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.

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

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.


Year1 - View timetable

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

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

PHYS5022MMSc Project90 credits1 Jan to 31 Jan (13mth), Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
PHYS5431MCurrent Research Topics in Physics15 credits1 Jan to 31 Jan (13mth), Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Optional modules:

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

MEDP5312MMagnetic Resonance Imaging15 credits1 Sep to 31 Jan
MEDP5317MRadionuclide Imaging15 credits 
MEDP5331MMedical X-ray Imaging15 credits1 Sep to 31 Jan
MEDP5332MX-ray Computed Tomography15 credits1 Jan to 30 Jun
PHYS5016MSoft Matter Physics: Liquid Crystals15 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHYS5017MQuantum Many-Body Physics15 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHYS5100MWinds, Bubbles and Explosions15 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHYS5117MAdvanced Bionanophysics Research15 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHYS5300MSuperconductivity15 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
PHYS5342MSoft Matter Physics: Polymers, Colloids and Glasses15 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHYS5360MQuantum Transport in Nanostructures15 creditsNot running in 202223
PHYS5380MQuantum Field Theory15 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan), 1 Sep to 31 Jan (adv yr)
PHYS5390MGeneral Relativity15 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHYS5411MQuantum Information Science and Technology15 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan), 1 Sep to 31 Jan (adv yr)
PHYS5530MPhysics of Biological Systems15 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Candidates may study between 0 and 15 credits from the following optional modules:

PHYS5182MAdvanced Group Industrial Project15 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
PHYS5440MAdvanced Physics in Schools15 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

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

MEDP3512Magnetic Resonance Imaging10 credits1 Sep to 31 Jan
MEDP3517Radionuclide Imaging10 credits 
MEDP3531Medical X-ray imaging10 credits1 Sep to 31 Jan
MEDP3532X-ray Computed Tomography10 credits1 Jan to 30 Jun
PHYS3011Cosmology15 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHYS3116Photonics15 creditsNot running in 202223
PHYS3190Molecular Simulation: Theory and Practice15 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHYS3281Star and Planet Formation15 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHYS3383Advanced Quantum Physics15 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHYS3390Quantum Photonics15 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHYS3394Quantum Matter15 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHYS3422Magnetism in Condensed Matter15 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHYS3441Statistical Mechanics15 creditsNot running in 202223
PHYS3511Advanced Mechanics15 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHYS3523Bionanophysics15 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHYS3543Theoretical Elementary Particle Physics15 creditsSemester 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: 17/10/2022 16:05:15

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