| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-10-01 | - |
Program Overview
The MSc Advanced Physics program at Loughborough University is a one-year, full-time program designed to equip students with the essential skills for careers in industry, public service, or academic research. The program focuses on developing students' knowledge in materials science through various modules, culminating in an individual project essay where students delve into a specific area of physics. Graduates are highly sought after by a range of industries, including defense, energy, and finance.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The MSc Advanced Physics is a one-year, full-time program designed to equip students with the essential skills required for successful employment in industry, public service, or academic research. This program focuses on developing students' knowledge in materials science through various modules, culminating in an individual project essay where students delve into a specific area of physics. This project allows for practical research experience in topical areas such as high-temperature superconductivity, terahertz semiconductor and superconductor electronics, quantum computing, and quantum metamaterials.
Outline:
The program structure spans over three semesters with a mix of compulsory and optional modules.
Semester 1:
Compulsory modules:
- Mathematical Methods for Interdisciplinary Sciences: This module aims to enhance students' mathematical abilities relevant to their research projects. It introduces mathematical methods applicable to models in various interdisciplinary sciences. It allows students to evaluate the strengths and limitations of various modeling techniques.
- Nanomaterials and Composites: This module covers recent advancements in nanomaterials and composites, including their preparation, processing, properties, and applications.
- Advanced Materials Characterisation: This module introduces students to a wide range of characterization techniques in materials science and engineering. It provides in-depth knowledge and practical skills in techniques like electron microscopy, spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. It helps students identify appropriate techniques for specific research questions, critically evaluate different methods, and apply data analysis techniques to experimental data.
- Topics in Advanced Quantum Mechanics: This module introduces students to current ideas and advanced applications of quantum mechanics.
Semester 2:
Compulsory modules:
- Research Project Planning and Preparation: This module builds upon research skills, focusing on project planning, making a case for the project, and presenting findings in a poster format. Students initiate contributions to the advancement of their field.
Optional Modules:
- Advanced Processing of Materials: This module covers principles of material processing and provides in-depth knowledge and skills in specific advanced processing methods.
- Physics of Complex Systems: This module provides an introduction to contemporary theory in the physics of complex systems. It familiarizes students with key concepts and demonstrates their universality in various physics problems.
- Quantum Computing: This module explores the principles, promises, and limitations of quantum computers and their potential physical realizations. It provides practical experience in simulating mechanical behavior of advanced materials and modeling processes using finite element methods.
Summer:
Compulsory modules:
- Research Project: This module provides students with the opportunity to further develop their research skills and make a substantial contribution to their chosen field of study.
Assessment:
Modules are assessed through a combination of exams, coursework, and group work.
Teaching:
The program is delivered by internationally recognized experts in the field. Students have access to state-of-the-art physics laboratories, including the University's £17 million STEMLab and the newly refurbished Sir David Davies building. The facilities include pulsed laser deposition, atomic force microscopy, Raman scattering, X-ray diffraction, and a departmental observatory.
Careers:
Graduates of the MSc Advanced Physics program are highly sought after by a range of industries. Common career paths include Business Analyst, Physicist, Technical Manager, and Financial Trader. Notable graduate destinations include the Ministry of Defence, DSTL, BAE Systems, BP, Rolls Royce, and Intelligent Energy. Some students progress to PhD-level studies.
Other:
The program is housed within a research-intensive Physics Department, which actively engages with industry and advances knowledge across the breadth of physical sciences.
UK fee: £13,000 Full-time degree per annum International fee: £28,750 Full-time degree per annum
