All our MPhys and Single Honours BSc degrees are accredited by the Institute of Physics. Accredited MPhys degrees fully satisfy the educational requirements of the Chartered Physicist (CPhys) professional qualification.
Location
Years 1, 2 and 4 of this programme are taught at the Streatham Campus in Exeter, Year 3 is taught at an overseas university.
Book your place at our June 2012 Open Day
The next Open Day at the Streatham campus in Exeter will take place on Tuesday 12th June. Book your place now.
Programme overview
These programmes are very similar to the Physics programmes offered entirely in Exeter, but they include further options in astronomy (with access to, for example, New Mexico University’s telescope which is sited in the desert where clear skies are the norm), space physics and the physics of weather.
They will give you an excellent understanding of mainstream physics and develop your physics intuition. You will study topics such as quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, optics, relativity, nuclear physics, quantum excitations in condensed matter, thermodynamics and cosmology. There are a variety of options to choose from and in the second year, modules from other subjects are also available to you.
Your third year will be spent broadening your experience by studying physics in a new cultural environment. The programmes give you the opportunity to study at a university in the USA, Australia or New Zealand. We have agreements with Iowa State University, the University of Kansas and the University of New Mexico in the USA; with the University of Sydney and the University of Wollongong in Australia; and Massey University in New Zealand.
In the fourth year the programme involves project work, which takes place within the School’s research groups. Some project work has been of such a high standard that it has led to publication in scientific journals.
Pre-University Physics Course
We run a three-day Pre-University Physics Course early in July each year which is open to anyone considering a physics course at any university. It provides a unique opportunity to get a feel for the subject at this level and for university life, before you make your choices on the UCAS form. Contact the PUPC Secretary, Department of Physics on +44 (0)1392 725349 or e-mail PhysUG@exeter.ac.uk.
During my third year I spent two semesters at Auckland University in New Zealand. The Study abroad programme offers a fantastic opportunity to experience a different country’s style of teaching your subject, while you spend your free time meeting lots of different people from all over the world.
As a Physics student I found the major difference in the way that my classes were taught was that a higher level of mathematical ability was required. Although this was at first intimidating, the skills I developed as a result of this challenge have been beneficial upon coming back to Exeter for my final year. Also, by going abroad I was given the opportunity to study away from my main subject, enabling me to gain a broad view on the history and culture of the indigenous people of the Pacific through taking Anthropology modules.
Although the concept of being away from your friends and family for an extended time by doing an exchange may seem daunting to some, I personally would not have traded the opportunity for the world. I am now going to spend the rest of my life travelling around the planet to visit all the friends I have made, and if anyone is in the slightest bit tempted to go abroad then they should ignore any doubts and just do it. It is not something that you will regret.
Matthew Millyard, MPhys Physics with study in New Zealand
