Master in Physics

Tuition comes to 24,500 GBP per year.

We offer postgraduate research degrees in Physics at the MPhil and PhD levels in all our major research areas. We have five main research themes for MPhil or PhD students. Condensed matter and nanoscale physics #### Research focus Electronic, optical, structural and magnetic properties of novel solid-state materials. In particular, novel semiconductor structures and nanostructured materials such as nanocrystals and nanowires. Theoretical studies use quantum mechanical approaches and involve massively parallel supercomputing. Our development of new approaches to quantum modelling is changing the size and complexity of systems that can be modelled. Experimental work takes place at synchrotron facilities in Europe and America. Related work takes place with colleagues in the Emerging Technology and Materials group. Biophysics #### Research focus We explore the structure and function of cells. The aim is to create artificial life and build machines based on biological parts. You'll need an understanding of biological physics. Projects include protocell development and the construction of a cyborg robot. We'll use techniques including: - single-molecule manipulation - atomic force microscopy - scanning tunnelling microscopy Astrophysics #### Research focus - Galaxies and the interstellar medium. - The source of the galactic magnetic field and its influence on the structure of the galaxy. - Cosmology, particularly the early universe and its origin in the big bang. Ultrafast optics #### Research focus Coherent optical control of atomic collisions in ultracold gases by femtosecond laser light for the study of problems in fundamental physics. This includes the measurement of time dependence on the fundamental constants of nature. We also research metrological protocols for the characterisation of broadband light. This is specifically related to the application and foundational aspects of quantum mechanics. Quantum matter and quantum optics #### Research focus The theoretical study and modelling of the quantum properties of matter and light. This includes the fundamental aspects of: - the nature of superfluids - the principles of quantum mechanics - state-of-the-art technological applications of quantum transport - quantum sensing How to apply