Physics with Philosophy BSc

Program Overview

The joint BSc program in Physics with Philosophy from Sheffield University explores the deep philosophical questions raised by modern physics, such as the nature of reality and the randomness of the universe. Through a blend of physics and philosophy courses, students gain a comprehensive understanding of the foundations of physics, ethics, and metaphysics. This interdisciplinary degree provides graduates with a unique perspective and critical thinking skills that prepare them for careers in science, education, law, and other fields.

Program Outline

Run in partnership with the Department of Philosophy, your dual degree in Physics with Philosophy BSc at Sheffield blends topics from across these rich and diverse subjects. You’ll understand motion and religion, electricity and ethics, magnetism, quantum mechanics, art and death.

Outline:

Title:

Physics with Philosophy BSc course structure

UCAS code:

FV35

Years:

2023, 2024

First Year

• Core Modules:
• Introductory Mathematics for Physicists and Astronomers (20 credits):
Provides the necessary introductory level 1 mathematics for students taking physics and/or astronomy degrees except those taking theoretical physics degrees. Topics covered include common functions of one variable, differentiation, series expansions, integration, ordinary differential equations, basic complex numbers, vector manipulation, properties and applications of matrices.
• Further Mathematics for Physicists and Astronomers (10 credits): Provides the necessary additional mathematics for all students taking physics and/or astronomy degrees including those taking theoretical physics degrees.
Topics covered include vector calculus, elementary probability theory, and application of mathematical tools to physical problems.
• Fundamentals of Physics (50 credits): Introduces the fundamentals of University Physics that are built on in later years of study.
This includes the development of data analysis skills, laboratory skills, scientific report writing and communication along with the ability to analyse physics problems and solve them using pen and paper, experiment and computer programming. Key concepts in electromagnetism, classical mechanics, thermal physics, waves and oscillations and quantum mechanics will be studied and used to develop problem solving.
• Writing Philosophy (20 credits): Focuses on developing philosophical writing skills, including reading for philosophical writing, essay planning, draft revision, and constructive feedback utilization.
Lectures cover the art of writing and philosophical topics in the domain of fact and value.
• Optional Philosophy Modules (20 credits): Students choose two modules from the following:
• Philosophy of Religion (10 credits):
Examines philosophical questions about religion, including the nature of religion, theistic notion of God, God and morality, and philosophical arguments for the existence of God.
• Ethics in Antiquity: East and West (10 credits): Explores ethical questions by examining influential texts from the ancient world, including Plato and Zhuangzi.
• Death (10 credits): Focuses on the nature of death, the afterlife, fear of death, and moral duties towards the dead.
• LGBTQ [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer] Studies (10 credits): Introduces students to the study of genders and sexualities, LGBTQ scholarship, and contemporary issues of inequality affecting sexual minorities.
• Mind and World (20 credits): Covers topics in epistemology, metaphysics, and the philosophy of mind, including knowledge, cognitive and cultural diversity, trust, free will, and machine consciousness.
• Philosophy of Science - Why Trust Science?
• (10 credits): Examines the epistemology of scientific knowledge and methodology, including scientific theories, evidence, observation, and the scientific method.
• History of Philosophical Ideas (10 credits): Introduces central movements and traditions in the history of philosophy from Plato onwards, including key philosophical concepts and issues.
• Truth, Reality and Virtual Reality (10 credits): Examines the idea of objective reality, truth, and virtual reality, including the Correspondence Theory of truth, the Pragmatic Theory of truth, and arguments about simulation and the difference between reality and virtual reality.
• Reason and Argument (20 credits): Teaches basic philosophical concepts and skills related to argument, including recognizing, interpreting, analyzing, and assessing arguments, and formal logic.
• Ethics and Society (20 credits): Introduces core questions in ethics, political philosophy, and social philosophy, including the good life, moral consideration for non-human animals and the environment, social organization, freedom, equality, and community.
• Philosophy of Sex (10 credits): Discusses moral and metaphysical issues related to sex, including moral judgments about sex acts, political significance of sex, the nature of sex, and sexual orientation.
• Formal Logic (20 credits): Introduces elementary concepts from set theory, examines the use of 'trees' as a method for proving the validity of arguments, and shows how to prove fundamental results about the use of trees within those logics.
• Philosophy of the Arts (20 credits): Examines issues in the philosophy of art, including the definition of art, cultural appropriation of art, pictorial representation, aesthetic experience, and artistic creativity.
• Ethics: Theoretical and Practical (20 credits): Explores the nature of morality, including the promotion of well-being, rationality, and excellence.
• History of Political Philosophy (20 credits): Examines the history of political philosophy, exploring various systems of citizenship, government, and economic arrangements, and the justification of government authority.
• Metaphysics (20 credits): Introduces metaphysics, focusing on the materiality of human beings and the nature of time.
• Religion and the Good Life (20 credits): Examines the relationship between religion and a well-lived life, including the role of God, Karma, and virtues like faith, mindfulness, and humility.
• Environmental Justice (20 credits): Introduces contemporary philosophical discussions of environmental justice at the global level, including responsibility for environmental problems, fair international sharing of costs, and the rights of indigenous peoples.
• Philosophy of Mind (20 credits): Surveys philosophical theories of the mind, including consciousness, representation, and the relation between thoughts, conscious experiences, and brain states.
• Political Philosophy Today (20 credits): Investigates contemporary topics and issues in political philosophy, including the political rights of animals and children, resource allocation, and free speech.
• Theory of Knowledge (20 credits): Introduces philosophical issues surrounding knowledge, including the nature and extent of knowledge, sceptical arguments, and faculties of knowledge.
• Feminism (20 credits): Examines feminist methodologies and social structures, including the family, cultural critique, language, capitalism, and climate crisis.
• The Rationalists (20 credits): Introduces the major works of Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, and Kant, focusing on topics in metaphysics and epistemology.
• Philosophy of Education (20 credits): Explores the nature and purpose of education, including theoretical exploration of central philosophical problems and practical experience of teaching philosophy to secondary school pupils.
• Bioethics (20 credits): Introduces practical bioethical problems and methods for approaching them, including resource allocation, limits to medical interventions, pandemic ethics, and human enhancement.
• Plato (20 credits): Introduces the philosophy of Plato through a close study of his dialogues.

Second Year

• Core Module:
• Classical and Quantum Physics (70 credits):
Provides the core level 2 physics content for non-theoretical degrees. It integrates physics content with supporting mathematics and practical work. Transferable skills are covered via different presentation modes for lab work. A further item is employability. The module also contains one or more items of group work. Physics topics covered are classical physics and oscillations, thermal physics, quantum mechanics, properties of matter and electromagnetism. Mathematics topics are Fourier techniques and partial differential equations. Both mathematical topics are applied to a range of the physics covered and are integrated with aspects of the practical work.
• Optional Physics Modules (10 credits): Students choose one module from the following:
• Programming in Python (10 credits): Teaches the key elements of Python programming for scientific applications.
• Physics of Materials (10 credits): Provides an introduction to the physical properties of materials, including liquids and solids.
• Physics with Labview (10 credits): Teaches Labview software and experimentation with instrumentation and basic electronics.
• Optional Philosophy Modules (40 credits): Students choose two modules from the following:
• Formal Logic (20 credits):
Introduces elementary concepts from set theory, examines the use of 'trees' as a method for proving the validity of arguments, and shows how to prove fundamental results about the use of trees within those logics.
• Philosophy of the Arts (20 credits): Examines issues in the philosophy of art, including the definition of art, cultural appropriation of art, pictorial representation, aesthetic experience, and artistic creativity.
• Ethics: Theoretical and Practical (20 credits): Explores the nature of morality, including the promotion of well-being, rationality, and excellence.
• History of Political Philosophy (20 credits): Examines the history of political philosophy, exploring various systems of citizenship, government, and economic arrangements, and the justification of government authority.
• Metaphysics (20 credits): Introduces metaphysics, focusing on the materiality of human beings and the nature of time.
• Religion and the Good Life (20 credits): Examines the relationship between religion and a well-lived life, including the role of God, Karma, and virtues like faith, mindfulness, and humility.
• Environmental Justice (20 credits): Introduces contemporary philosophical discussions of environmental justice at the global level, including responsibility for environmental problems, fair international sharing of costs, and the rights of indigenous peoples.
• Philosophy of Mind (20 credits): Surveys philosophical theories of the mind, including consciousness, representation, and the relation between thoughts, conscious experiences, and brain states.
• Political Philosophy Today (20 credits): Investigates contemporary topics and issues in political philosophy, including the political rights of animals and children, resource allocation, and free speech.
• Theory of Knowledge (20 credits): Introduces philosophical issues surrounding knowledge, including the nature and extent of knowledge, sceptical arguments, and faculties of knowledge.
• Feminism (20 credits): Examines feminist methodologies and social structures, including the family, cultural critique, language, capitalism, and climate crisis.
• The Rationalists (20 credits): Introduces the major works of Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, and Kant, focusing on topics in metaphysics and epistemology.
• Philosophy of Education (20 credits): Explores the nature and purpose of education, including theoretical exploration of central philosophical problems and practical experience of teaching philosophy to secondary school pupils.
• Bioethics (20 credits): Introduces practical bioethical problems and methods for approaching them, including resource allocation, limits to medical interventions, pandemic ethics, and human enhancement.
• Plato (20 credits): Introduces the philosophy of Plato through a close study of his dialogues.

Third Year

• Core Module:
• Problem Solving in Physics (10 credits):
Develops techniques for solving unfamiliar problems in physics using mathematical and statistical methods. Covers statistics, data analysis, and physics problem solving.
• Optional Project Modules (20 credits): Students choose one module from the following:
• Research project in Physics or Astronomy (20 credits):
Provides an opportunity for students to undertake independent research in physics or astronomy.
• Industrial Group Project in Physics (20 credits): Provides students with an industrial project where team working, planning, time management, presentation, and report writing are integrated with science problem solving.
• Quantum Information Laboratory (20 credits): Provides a foundation in quantum optics experiments and associated theory, including single photon generation and detection, measurements of photon statistics, and photon interference.
• Physics Education and Outreach (20 credits): Introduces topics in the theory of learning and teaching, skills such as video editing, physics in the National Curriculum, and hands-on exercises in science teaching and communication.
• Optional Physics Modules (30 credits): Students choose one module from the following:
• Particle Physics (10 credits):
Introduces the field of modern particle physics, covering relativistic kinematics, particle classification, and the four fundamental interactions.
• History of Astronomy (10 credits): Provides an introduction to the historical development of modern astronomy, focusing on the nature of discovery, the interplay between theory and observation, and the role of technological advances.
• Atomic and Laser Physics (10 credits): Covers the physics of atoms and lasers, including the solution of the Schrodinger equation for the hydrogen atom, atomic selection rules, spectral fine structure, and the operation of lasers.
• Dark Matter and the Universe (10 credits): Covers the astrophysical evidence for Dark Matter and the search for candidate Dark Matter particles.
• Solid State Physics (10 credits): Covers the electronic properties of solids, including the classification of solids, the free electron model, band structure, and magnetism.
• Introduction to Soft Matter and Biological Physics (10 credits): Explores the properties of soft matter, including plastics, gels, soaps, foods, biological cells, and tissues.
• Nuclear Physics (10 credits): Studies the general properties of nuclei, the nuclear force, models of the nucleus, radioactivity, and nuclear reactions.
• Introduction to Cosmology (10 credits): Discusses the development of cosmology, the observed properties of the universe, and the Hot Big Bang cosmological model.
• Physical Computing (10 credits): Studies the fundamental building blocks of digital processing circuits and computers, including VHDL and C programming.
• Astrobiology (10 credits): Explores the search for alien life, the frequency of life, and the nature of advanced life and technological civilizations.
• Mathematical Physics (10 credits): Covers linear algebra, complex analysis, and their applications to physics.
• Advanced Programming in Python (10 credits): Builds on the basic introduction to Python programming, introducing advanced concepts such as defensive programming, classes, program design, and optimization.
• Statistical Physics (10 credits): Derives the thermal properties of matter using microscopic Hamiltonians.
• Physics in an Enterprise Culture (10 credits): Students create a proposal for a new business, covering topics such as innovation, intellectual property, costing, and business planning.
• Semiconductor Physics and Technology (10 credits): Provides an introduction to semiconductor electronic and opto-electronic devices and modern developments in crystal growth.
• Origin of the Chemical Elements (10 credits): Looks at the origin, distribution, and evolution of the chemical elements.
• Optional Philosophy Modules (40-60 credits): Students choose a minimum of two and a maximum of three modules from the following:
• Bodies and Souls (20 credits):
Examines the views of Descartes and Aristotle on the relationship between mind and body.
• Ancient Chinese Philosophy (20 credits): Introduces students to ancient Chinese Philosophy through a study of some of its classical texts.
• Advanced Political Philosophy (20 credits): Investigates a broad range of topics and issues in political philosophy.
• Topics in Social Philosophy (20 credits): Introduces students to some contemporary issues in social philosophy.
• Global Justice (20 credits): Examines the demands of justice at the global level, including the eradication of global inequalities, jurisdiction over territory, immigration, reparations, and responsibilities for combatting global injustice.
• Dissertation Project 1 (20 credits): Students write an extended essay on a chosen topic, identifying the central issue, relating various responses to the issue, evaluating those contributions, and identifying a resolution.
• Free Will & Religion (20 credits): Focuses on philosophical questions about the relationship between free will and theistic religions.
• Work Place Learning (20 credits): Students complete a work placement with a local organization, gaining skills and experience relevant to philosophy in an applied setting.
• Ethics and Belief (20 credits): Explores the social and ethical dimensions of knowledge, including trust, injustice, and the social character of knowledge.
• Phenomenology (20 credits): Introduces Phenomenology, a philosophical tradition that seeks to understand the human condition, focusing on consciousness as embodied, situated, and related to other people.
• Philosophical Problems 1 (20 credits): The detailed content of this course will vary from year to year depending upon the member of staff teaching it.
• Dissertation Project 2 (20 credits): Students write an extended essay on a chosen topic, identifying the central issue, relating various responses to the issue, evaluating those contributions, and identifying a resolution.
• Philosophy of Law (20 credits): Investigates philosophical questions raised by life under a legal system, including the nature of law, justice, legal rights, and punishment.
• Plato's Symposium (20 credits): Explores the origins, definition, aims, objects, and effects of eros, and asks whether it is viewed as a predominantly beneficial or harmful force.
• Pain, Pleasure, and Emotions (20 credits): Explores recent advances in the study of the affective mind, considering theoretical work in the philosophy of mind and empirical research in affective cognitive science.
• Moral Theory and Moral Psychology (20 credits): Examines the relationship of moral theory and moral psychology, discussing the relationship of science and ethics, the nature of self-interest, altruism, sympathy, the will, and moral intuitions.
• The Science of Consciousness (20 credits): Looks at recent developments in the study of consciousness from across the cognitive sciences, including philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, and biology.
• Philosophies of Education (20 credits): Explores the importance of philosophy to the study of education, covering key moments in the history of Western philosophy and the consequences of late modernity for present-day education.
• Theolinguistics (20 credits): Examines the ways in which people talk about what they hold sacred, both in overtly religious and 'secular' contexts.
• Democracy and Citizenship: Dilemmas and Tensions (20 credits): Explores how a geographical approach helps us to analyze issues such as controversial election results, divisive immigration policies, and contentious social activism.
• Feminist and Queer Studies in Religion, Global Perspectives (20 credits): Applies feminism, queer studies, and trans philosophy in analysis of genders and sexualities in religious traditions and cultures around the world.
• Globalising Education (20 credits): Considers the extent to which education might be viewed as a global context with a shared meaning.
• Housing and Urban Inequalities (20 credits): Builds on substantive knowledge, theory, and skills about housing, with emphasis on policy, practice, strategy analysis, and understanding the links between housing, planning, social policies, and outcomes.

Assessment:

You will be assessed through a portfolio of problem sets, lab work and other material, as well as exams, essays, lab reports and presentations.

Teaching:

You'll learn through lectures, small group tutorials and seminars, programming classes, practical sessions in the lab and research projects.

Careers:

• School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences: Our physics students develop numerical, problem solving and data analysis skills that are useful in many graduate jobs, including computer programming, software engineering, data science, and research and development into new products and services.
Their expertise can be applied to many of the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, from developing renewable energy technologies and improving medical treatments to creating quantum telecommunications systems and exploring outer space. Students who want to work as a physics researcher often do a PhD, which can lead to a career at a top university or a major international research facility such as CERN. The University of Sheffield is part of the White Rose Industrial Physics Academy. This partnership of university physics departments and technical industries can set up collaborations between our students and industrial partners through internships, year in industry placements, final year projects and careers activities. WRIPA also organises the UK’s largest physics recruitment fair, where our students can meet potential employers.
• Department of Philosophy: Studying philosophy will develop your ability to analyse and state a case clearly, evaluate arguments and be precise in your thinking.
These skills will put you in a strong position when it comes to finding employment or going on to further study. Our graduates work in teaching, law, social work, computing, the civil service, journalism, paid charity work, business, insurance and accountancy.
• No.
1 physics department in the UK - 100% of our research and impact was rated world-leading or internationally excellent by REF 2021.
• Sociable departments - because you’ll be taught across two departments, you’ll have double the options when it comes to your social life.
In philosophy, you could join the philosophy society or be involved in the only UK undergraduate philosophy journal. In physics you might choose to join the Sheffield Space Initiative, and design a Mars rover or launch a rocket.
• Top 100 in the world for philosophy in the QS World Rankings 2023 - learn from world-leading staff, teaching an exceptionally diverse range of modules.
• Follow your ambition - you have the options to complete a research project, industrial group project, Quantum Information Lab, or Physics Education and Outreach project – giving you hands-on experience wherever your career aspirations lie.
• Take on the big issues - work with the Centre for Engaged Philosophy, researching areas of fundamental political and social importance, from criminal justice and social inclusion to climate ethics.
• We invest to create the right environment for you.
Other library services include study skills training to improve your grades, and tailored advice from experts in your subject.
• Our staff and students use philosophy to engage with real world issues.
You will be able to use what you learn to make a difference in the community, through projects like Philosophy in the City, an innovative and award-winning programme that enables students to teach philosophy in schools, homeless shelters and centres for the elderly.
• Our students run a thriving Philosophy Society and the only UK undergraduate philosophy journal.
• The School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences is leading the way with groundbreaking research and innovative teaching.
We provide our students with the skills and knowledge to support them in a wide range of careers. They’ll guide you through key topics and offer you a huge range of optional modules.
• Physics and astronomy students are based in the Hicks Building, which has undergraduate teaching laboratories with all the equipment you need for your physics and astronomy training, as well as classrooms, lecture theatres, computer rooms and social spaces.
• Physics and astronomy students are trained in our teaching laboratories and can access a range of specialist technologies.
We have telescopes and a solar technology testbed on the roof, state-of-the-art laboratories for building super-resolution microscopes and analysing 2D materials, and the UK’s first Quantum Information Laboratory, where students can study the fundamental science behind the next technological revolution.
• In their final year, MPhys students are based in a specialist research laboratory where scientists are studying technologies such as 2D materials, photovoltaic devices and advanced microscopy tools.
Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.
• The awarding body for this course is the University of Sheffield.
• Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.

Please use 2024-25 information as a guide.

• £9,250Home students 2024 annual tuition fee
• £29,110Overseas students 2024 annual tuition fee