Physics with Astrophysics BSc (Hons) with professional placement or study abroad
Program Overview
This 4-year Natural Sciences program in Physics from the University of Bath provides a comprehensive foundation in physics and astrophysics, complemented by flexible options to specialize in various areas and develop skills in research and problem-solving. Students gain practical experience through laboratory classes and a final-year project, preparing them for a wide range of careers in physics and beyond.
Program Outline
Outline:
This course lasts 4 years. It starts in September 2024 and ends in 2028. Welcome week starts on 23 September 2024. Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. Units Compulsory units cover core concepts that you'll need to understand as part of your degree programme. These allow you to specialise in particular areas of knowledge that interest you. As an undergraduate, you will be expected to take 120 credits (60 ECTS credits) in each academic year. For Natural Sciences, these will usually be made up of 20 credits in each main subject with the rest made up from a Natural Sciences unit and one additional subject. 120 credits (60 ECTS credits) are the equivalent of 1,200 notional hours of study; this includes contact time with staff and your own independent learning. All credits displayed on this page are ECTS credits. Year 1 Compulsory units Dynamics and astrophysics 10 credits Foundations of physics 1 20 credits Mathematics for physics 1 15 credits Physics skills 1 15 credits Year 2 Compulsory units Foundations of physics 2 20 credits 15 credits Mathematics for physics 2 10 credits Physics skills 2 5 credits Scientific computing and advanced data analysis 5 credits Options Year 2 Options 5 credits Year 3 Compulsory units Professional placement or study abroad 60 credits Year 4 Compulsory units Galaxies and introduction to cosmology 5 credits General relativity 5 credits Stars and stellar evolution 5 credits Options Final Year Project and Options 45 credits
Assessment:
You’ll be assessed by a range of methods designed to develop and test your skills and knowledge. These include closed and open-book examinations, problem-solving assignments, laboratory and computing assessments, project reports and presentations. 70 to 75% of your course will be assessed through examinations. 25 to 30% will be assessed through coursework, including practical work. The balance of assessment methods will vary throughout your degree. In your final year, you will carry out a project. You will primarily be assessed as an individual but may also be assessed as part of a group.
Teaching:
Contact hours Timetabled contact hours, which may be made up of lectures, seminars, tutorials and laboratory classes, vary throughout your course and between courses but are typically between 18 and 22 hours a week in your first year. The significant majority of contact hours over the duration of your course will be in person, and this will be enhanced by some online delivery which will constitute a smaller proportion of these contact hours, depending on your programme of study, year of study and chosen optional units. This may be supplemented by additional activities such as a small number of online learning sessions (not live), skills development sessions, and personal tutorials. The amount of timetabled sessions on campus in later years may vary based on the options you choose, with a greater emphasis on independent learning. Project and dissertation units will generally have fewer scheduled sessions to allow you time for your independent work – this may also mean the number of hours of timetabled sessions each week will vary within a year. Independent learning In addition to timetabled contact hours, you are expected to undertake independent learning and assessment activities. Typically, this might be around 13 – 22 hours per week in your first year, and include individual research, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, preparing course working assignments, presentations, or revising for exams. After your first year, the emphasis on independent learning becomes greater, for example in a final year project.
Careers:
With the combination of an analytical approach and practical problem-solving skills, physics graduates are in strong demand by employers. You'll be able to work in a wide range of careers in physics and beyond, such as: R&D Engineering Finance IT Telecommunications Renewable energies Many of our graduates also go on to postgraduate study in preparation for academic or industry-based research careers.
Other:
In the first two years, you'll study core topics giving you the broad foundation of knowledge and skills essential for a graduate physicist. You can also modify placement or study abroad options, or even whether you're on a bachelor’s or master’s programme. In your final year you’ll carry out a substantial project, choosing from a wide range of topics and types. You’ll also study a wide range of modules in physics and astrophysics, and can choose some broader options to enable you to experience a taster of a field for potential graduate employment.
Tuition fees are liable to increase annually for all University of Bath students.
