Theoretical Physics (Placement Year)

The technologies of tomorrow will be rooted in our understanding of the physical laws of the universe. Breakthroughs made by theoretical physicists have led to nano materials, solar cells, wireless technologies, and diagnostic imaging. So it’s no surprise that this degree leads to a huge number of career opportunities - you could be modelling climate change, using physics in health to save lives, or even bringing your problem-solving skills to complex issues in law or finance.

Because progress is made where theory and experimentation meet, you’ll be using mathematical concepts to predict the behaviour of the physical world.

What to expect
Our five-year MPhys Hons Theoretical Physics (Placement Year) degree starts with a first year that is common across all our single-honours physics degrees as we teach the fundamentals to provide you with a solid foundation for Years 2 and beyond. You may discover that your interests change throughout the year, and you have the flexibility to switch to any other of our degree schemes until the end of Year 1. Core topics include mechanics, quantum physics, thermodynamics, and electricity and magnetic fields. It’s so much more than lectures and workshops; you’ll spend time gaining hands on experience with experimental physics in our state-of-the-art labs.

As you progress into Years 2 and beyond, you will delve deeper into key physics concepts, such as Lagrangian mechanics, group theory and symmetry. You will take modules tailored towards your interests, enabling you to explore the frontiers of physics research from our expert lecturers.

Your placement
In Year 4, you will undertake a placement that will enable you to apply the knowledge and skills learnt so far and gain invaluable experience that will then inform your studies in Year 5 and your career beyond.

Although it’s up to you to find your placement, we will support you all the way. Our Careers Service will provide guidance on CVs, applications, interview techniques and creating a digital profile.

Research and group projects
An important and exciting part of your degree is the opportunity to take part in a group project where you can choose a theoretical physics project working alongside one of our expert researchers.

Here are some examples of recent projects:

Theoretical Physics Group Project

• Simulations of quantum computers including quantum game theory

• Cellular automata simulations of disease or fire spreading

• Machine learning applied to real world data

Personal development
You will develop valuable transferable skills that make you highly desirable to future employers. Through working in collaboration, delivering presentations, communicating your research results, using modern computer programs and taking part in experiments, you will grow skills in analytical thinking, logic, reasoning, communication and digital proficiency. With a year’s experience added to your CV, you will be a standout graduate.

Before graduation, you will have the fantastic opportunity to showcase your transferable skills toolkit at the Physics at Lancaster Annual Conference and Exhibition (PLACE).

Master’s-level training
You can advance your degree in Year 5 by studying Master’s modules and conducting a significant, individually supervised research project. This is a great opportunity to build your CV and is a gateway to future research opportunities too.

Examples of recent final year projects include:

• Forecasting the space weather

• Plasma flow in Saturn’s magnetosphere

• Observations of supernova host galaxies from Euclid

• The co-evolution of galaxies and supermassive black holes

• Measuring distances in the universe

• Scalar field models for dark energy and the Hubble tension