BSc (Hons) Theoretical Physics (Study Abroad) Bachelor's degree at Lancaster University

We integrate lectures and laboratory work to develop essential problem-solving and experimental skills required for scientific research, engineering, and technical careers. You will learn systematic approaches to tackling problems, estimating solutions using order-of-magnitude methods, and assessing solution validity. The module includes the necessary periodic motion, waves, and circuit theory, required to conduct experiments on a range of physical systems. You will be introduced to key experimental techniques, including measurement methods, data recording, and statistical analysis using Gaussian and Poisson distributions. You will learn to assess errors and uncertainties, including systemat

Explore electricity, magnetism, thermodynamics, and quantum physics, providing a strong foundation in classical and modern physics. You will learn about electric and magnetic fields and forces through developing an understanding of Maxwell’s equations and their application. You will study topics in thermodynamics including heat transfer and ideal gases. You will be introduced to quantum mechanics, by examining atomic models, wave-particle duality, and the Schrödinger equation. Through problem-solving and conceptual understanding, you will develop analytical skills applicable in physics, engineering, and research. You will learn to apply mathematical models, understand physical principles, an

Develop some of the key mathematical skills required to tackle problems in physics. Explore polynomial, trigonometric, and exponential functions, learning their properties and transformations. Differentiation and integration techniques, such as the chain rule, Taylor series, and integration by parts, will be applied to physical problems like motion and energy. The module also introduces complex numbers, Euler’s formula, and their use in solving differential equations and wave phenomena. These mathematical tools are fundamental for modelling physical systems, analysing experimental data, and solving equations in classical and quantum mechanics.

In this module you will cover key mathematical techniques essential for physics, including series, differential equations, multivariable calculus, and vector analysis. You will learn to solve first- and second-order differential equations with applications to physics problems like the damped harmonic oscillator. Multivariable calculus topics include partial derivatives, gradient vectors, and parametric representations of curves and surfaces. Vector calculus introduces divergence, curl, and integral theorems such as Gauss’ and Stokes’ theorems, crucial for understanding electromagnetism. By mastering these mathematical tools, you will develop problem-solving and analytical skills applicable i

Develop the fundamental skills in data analysis, scientific communication, and computational techniques. You will combine theoretical concepts with practical applications to prepare you for research and professional careers in science. Programming fundamentals are introduced, focusing on scripting, debugging, data analysis, and visualisation. These skills will be explored using examples in astrophysical problem-solving. You will learn scientific communication skills including preparation of scientific reports, literature research, referencing, summarisation, and ethical scientific writing. You will also develop presentation skills for posters and oral talks, along with career preparation thr

We introduce you to the fundamental nature of Physics and teach you key skills in the use of experiment and uncertainty, units, and dimensional analysis. You will study topics such as Newton’s laws of motion, rotation of rigid bodies and the gravitational force. You will also be introduced to more advanced concepts such as special relativity and Lagrangian mechanics. You will apply some of these concepts to astronomical problems such as determining escape speed, and the motion of satellites and planetary orbits. You will learn about some exotic phenomena like black holes and dark matter.

In this module you will explore electromagnetism through the beauty of Maxwell’s equations and the mathematical tools of vector calculus. Using these, you will be able to describe electromagnetic fields and waves created by simple configurations of charges and currents, and to model the effects of media on the propagation of electromagnetic waves. You will investigate the basic properties of wave propagation, diffraction and interference, and of simple optical instruments. This will enable you to make connections between the many different phenomena in nature that share the mathematical model of a harmonic oscillator or of a wave.

Learn the basic mathematical techniques required for studying physics at degree level and beyond. In particular, you will develop skills in linear algebra and matrices, Fourier analysis, and solving differential equations. You will be able to determine eigenvalues and eigenvectors of linear operators and be able to manipulate the algebra of Pauli matrices and commutation relations. The module will allow you to express a periodic function as a Fourier series and to find the Fourier transform of a function. As an application of these skills and techniques, you will solve various common types of linear equations, ordinary differential equations and partial differential equations.

We teach an overview of theoretical methods used in classical mechanics, giving the background for later quantum mechanics modules. You will learn variational approaches to derive equations of motion within the frameworks of Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics. This will allow you to exploit the power of these techniques by using appropriate generalised coordinates. You will also apply these methods to dynamical problems in classical mechanics, introducing the concepts of phase space, stability of motion and chaos. The module also covers the concepts of transformation, invariance and symmetry in physics and their mathematical description including group theory. You will learn to apply group

In this module you will exploit advanced programming concepts to model a physical system. You will explore advanced Python topics and numerical algorithms for scientific modelling and engage in data visualisation and analysis techniques to interpret physical data effectively. You will also be introduced to essential software development tools such as version control, code repositories, and automated testing, fostering collaboration and professional coding practices. A final project will involve designing and implementing a physics simulation and validating its outputs. Throughout, ethical considerations in programming and scientific integrity will be emphasised to ensure responsible and repr

Learn how physics principles, including quantum mechanics and many-particle statistics, underpin the properties of materials. This will allow you to relate features of atoms, electrons and phonons in solids to their macroscopic properties including electrical, magnetic and thermal. You will be able to connect the microscopic and macroscopic pictures of the thermal properties of solids, and to describe the quantum statistics of degenerate Fermi gases, Bose-Einstein condensation, superfluidity in liquid helium and black body radiation.

Learn the fundamentals of quantum theory and how it applies to concrete physical systems. The module begins by establishing a basic working knowledge of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics based on the Schrödinger equation. You will develop skills necessary to apply quantum mechanics to simple, exactly solvable problems, as well as finding approximate descriptions of more complex quantum systems. This will enable you to make precise predictions for the behaviour of realistic quantum systems, and to understand the significance of the predictions for experimental observations. As a major application, you will use these skills to describe the basic characteristics of atomic structure, the process

Study at one of our approved international partner universities in your year abroad. This will help you to develop your global outlook, expand your professional network, and gain cultural and personal skills. It is also an opportunity to gain a different perspective on your major subject through studying the subject in another country. You will choose specialist modules relating to your degree and also have the opportunity to study modules from other subjects offered by the host university. Places at overseas partners vary each year and have previously included universities in Australia, USA, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and Asia.

Through a series of lectures, workshops, hands-on coursework and numerical simulations, gain command of advanced theoretical tools and mathematical methods for modelling and simulating many-body quantum systems. Specifically, you will learn the second quantisation and path integral methods of theoretical physics, supported by the mathematics of complex analysis. This enables you to apply basic concepts and techniques of field theory and its approximation methods. The workshops will provide a playground for hands-on use of these field theory techniques, culminating in an independent investigative simulation of a quantum system.

We help you enhance your problem-solving abilities by applying fundamental physics principles across a range of real-world scenarios, including issues around energy, climate and sustainability. You will tackle open-ended challenges, solve problems in unfamiliar contexts, and apply knowledge from various physics topics. You’ll practice formulating logical solutions, using precise technical language, and justifying assumptions and approximations. With a focus on sharpening your mathematical skills and critical thinking, this module equips you to approach complex physics problems with confidence and creativity, preparing you for advanced studies and practical applications in diverse fields.

Explore the topics of relativity, nuclear physics and particle physics and learn about the principles of special relativity, Lorentz transformations and four-vectors. You will use relativity to understand topics such as particle decays and the doppler effect. In nuclear physics, you will study properties of nuclei, radioactive decay, nuclear fission and fusion. In particle physics, you will learn about the Standard Model, particle interactions, the structure of matter and modern particle physics experiments. Gain an understanding of the fundamental building blocks of the universe.

As part of a group, and supported by a supervisor, apply your mathematical or computer modelling techniques to an open-ended investigation of either real-world applications or models in theoretical physics or mathematics. Projects vary from year to year; examples of recent projects include: using cellular automata in cryptography, music composition or to model dynamical systems (traffic or fluid flow, fire or disease spreading, etc) machine learning applied to stock market data, predicting game outcomes or clustering of exoplanets data modelling quantum computers with applications to quantum game theory or quantum simulation simulation of chaotic dynamics in classical and quantum pendulums,

Explore the physics of semiconductors, superconductors and magnetic materials. You will learn how the properties of these materials arise from their microscopic structure and from interactions between atoms, electrons and phonons. You will gain a deeper understanding of the role of statistical concepts in understanding macroscopic systems and be able to solve selected model problems using advanced methods from condensed matter theory.

Cosmology treats the entire universe as a physical system. Investigate the evolution of the universe from the big bang, the cataclysmic explosion which started it all, through to its final fate in the distant future. Further areas of study include the dynamics of the universe as a whole, the initial singularity from which it originated, and the violent history of the early universe. You’ll also investigate the cosmic microwave background, the formation of structure (such as galaxies and galaxy clusters), cosmological horizons, dark matter and dark energy. You’ll consider the origin of matter, the age of the universe and the reason why is the sky is dark at night as you explore the limits of

Study advanced concepts and formalisms in quantum mechanics as used in quantum information, quantum communication and quantum computing. Learn about cutting-edge ideas in quantum mechanics including qubits and the Bloch sphere, entanglement, and pure and mixed states. As you progress through this module, you will develop skills in linear algebra techniques including matrix algebra, Dirac notation and density matrices.

Investigate the importance of conservation laws and discrete symmetries in particle interactions and experiments used to determine them. You will explore topics such as quark mixing, heavy-flavour physics, neutrino oscillations and particle interactions with matter. You will then use your knowledge of particle interactions with matter to understand the design of particle detectors and accelerators. Results and measurements from particle physics experiments will be used throughout the module to highlight the topics presented.

From the birth of our solar system to the exploration of planetary environments, delve into the fundamental physics governing our local cosmic neighbourhood. You’ll study the formation of planetary bodies, their surfaces, atmospheres, and their interactions with space. Core physics principles - mechanics, thermodynamics, and electromagnetism - are applied to real-world observations, helping you analyse solar system dynamics and solve key problems in planetary science. A major focus is the interaction between the solar wind and planetary magnetospheres, leading to fascinating space weather phenomena like auroras. By the end of this module, you’ll have a strong foundation in space physics, an

Do you want to entertain and inspire children and the public in STEM? With an introduction to teaching as well as wider engagement opportunities, learn how to understand your audience and how to engage and enliven them. You will also learn how to balance this with educating them and presenting science in a way that’s appropriate to your audience. We include an introduction to pedagogy, how to inspire school pupils and how to use traditional and new media for science communication. You will deliver an activity of your choosing to an audience. This could be a lesson at school, engaging with children at a large outreach event or delivering a public lecture. In addition, you will also reflect on