2024/25 Undergraduate Programme Catalogue

BSc Philosophy and Physics (For students entering from September 2024 onwards)

Total credits: 360

Entry requirements:

Entry Requirements are available on the Course Search entry

School/Unit responsible for the parenting of students and programme:

Philosophy, Religion and History of Science

Examination board through which the programme will be considered:

Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Groups:

Philosophy
Physics, Astronomy and Astrophysics

Programme specification:

The information on this page is accurate for students entering the programme from September 2024. For students who entered the programme before September 2024, you can find the details of your programme:

BSc Philosophy and Physics

Your course
A joint honours degree in philosophy and physics considers fundamental aspects of the universe from different scientific and philosophical perspectives.
Compulsory modules introduce you to central ideas in philosophy about the nature of the physical world, how we acquire knowledge of the world, the philosophy of physics and the nature of science itself, and key areas of physics such as classical and quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, condensed matter, and how to carry out laboratory work.
You’ll also choose from a range of optional modules in both subjects which give you the chance to explore the philosophy of other scientific disciplines, metaphysics, epistemology, logic, the philosophy of maths, cosmology, bio-nanophysics, or pursue more advanced study in key areas of physics in which you have developed an interest, so you can choose to specialise.
There will be a choice in your final year of different independent research projects which further provides the opportunity to specialise in either philosophy or physics, and so tailor your studies to your interests.
In both subjects you’ll be exposed to cutting edge research. You’ll gave the benefit of the purpose-built Sir William Henry Bragg Building, which serves as the academic home for physics students. Here, you will have access to top-of-the-line laboratories and specialized teaching spaces, as well as the Bragg Centre where scientists and engineers work together to address global challenges in technology and society.
The programme has an optional international variant, which includes a study abroad year at Level 3, and an industrial variant, which includes a work placement year at Level 3.
At all levels students will be able to study Discovery modules from other subjects in the university.
Your future
A joint honours degree in Philosophy and Physics will equip you with varied subject knowledge as well as an impressively broad set of skills, which are attractive to a variety of employers.
You’ll be confident interpreting both quantitative and qualitative data, undertaking qualitative, quantitative, analytical and laboratory research, and have excellent analytical and problem-solving skills. Crucially, the philosophical perspective will enable you to look at a situation from different points of view. You’ll also be comfortable working independently or in a team, and you’ll be able to communicate technical information clearly, both verbally and in writing, to specialist and non-specialist audiences. Through managing the demands of two different subjects, you’ll develop good organisational skills.
Our world
This degree will enable you to think in different ways about humanity’s place in the universe and understand the fundamentals of nature and the universe itself. It will equip you to be an advocate for science and its relevance to addressing global challenges, and adopt an open-minded, questioning approach to thinking about our lives that is so essential for navigating many of the problems we face collectively.

Year1 - View timetable

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

Compulsory modules:

Candidates must study 120 credits which may include up to 20 credits of Discovery modules.
Candidates must pass at least 100 credits, including any PFP modules and a minimum of 60 credits in Physics (PHAS) and 40 credits in Philosophy (PHIL), to progress to the next year of the programme.
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules

Optional modules:

Candidates may study up to 20 credits from the following optional modules:

Discovery modules:

Candidates may study up to 20 credits of discovery modules

Year2 - View timetable

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

We are currently refreshing our courses to make sure students have the best possible experience. Full module details for years 2 and 3 are not yet available. Before you enter years 2 and 3 details of modules for those years will be provided.

Compulsory modules:

Candidates must study 120 credits which may include up to 20 credits of Discovery modules.
Candidates must pass at least 100 credits, including any PFP modules and a minimum of 40 credits in Physics (PHAS) and 40 credits in Philosophy (PHIL), to progress to the next year of the programme.

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:
* 2nd Year Physics (JH) Quantum and Particle - 20 Credits
* 2nd Year Physics (JH) Statistical Mechanics & Condensed Matter - 20 Credits
* Philosophical Method for JH - 20 Credits

Optional modules:

Candidates may study the following module but will be required to study and pass the module if they intend to study PHAS3000 and undertake a computational or practical project.
* 2nd year Experimental and Computational Physics (JH) - 20 Credits

Candidates will be required to study at least 20 credits from the following optional modules:

Discovery modules:

Candidates may study 20 credits of discovery modules or the following optional module:

Year3 - View timetable

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

We are currently refreshing our courses to make sure students have the best possible experience. Full module details for year 3 are not yet available. Before you enter year 3 full details of modules for that year will be provided.

Compulsory modules:

Candidates must study 120 credits which may include up to 20 credits of Discovery modules.
Candidates must pass at least 100 credits, including any PFP modules and a minimum of 40 credits in Physics (PHAS) and 40 credits in Philosophy (PHIL or PRHS), to be eligible for an honours degree.

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory module

Optional modules:

Candidates will be required to study ONE of the following compulsory modules
* BSc Project - 40 Credits

Candidates who do not study PHAS3000 will be required to study at least 40 credits from the following optional Physics modules. Candidates who study PHAS3000 will be required to study at least 20 credits from the following optional Physics modules:

* Advanced Topics - 40 
* Computational Simulations - 20 
* Magnetism and Condensed Matter - 20 
* Theoretical Elementary Particle Physics - 20 
* Quantum Photonics - 20 
* Group Innovation Project - 20 
* Physics Into Schools - 20 

Candidates who do not study PHAS3000 may study 20 credits from the following optional Philosophy modules. Candidates who study PHAS3000 will be required to study at least 20 credits from the following optional Philosophy modules
The following list is indicative. Each semester there will be 3 optional modules which could include those listed below or new modules:
PHIL3310 Philosophy of Sex and Relationships (20 credits) new for 2024-25
PHIL3700 Feminist Philosophy (20 credits)
PHIL3322 Aesthetics and the Philosophy of Art (20 credits)
PHIL3320 Philosophy of Biology (20 credits)
PHIL3855 Philosophical Issues in Technology
PHIL3123 Philosophy of Logic and Mathematics (20 credits)
PHIL3865 Philosophy of the Social Sciences (20 credits)
Philosophy of Language (20 credits) - not available until 2025-26

Discovery modules:

Candidates may study 20 credits of discovery modules

Last updated: 08/05/2024 17:07:04

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