BSc (Hons) Physics with Integrated Foundation Year Bachelor's degree at Royal Holloway, University of London

Develop fundamental practical skills in computer programming and computational thinking. Covers basic data structures, conditionals and loops, functions, and classes.

Key concepts in physical sciences underpinning Physics and Engineering disciplines. Covers Units and dimensions, Materials, Motion, Newton's laws, Connected particles, Static equilibrium, Fluids, Thermodynamics and Electricity.

Mathematics required for foundation in engineering and physical science. Covers algebra, sequences and series, number bases, logic, functions, graphing, exponentials, logarithms, trigonometry, vectors/matrices, and complex numbers.

Key concepts in physical sciences underpinning Physics and Engineering disciplines. Covers Electric Fields, Magnetic fields, Electromagnetic induction, Capacitors, Waves and optics, Circular motion, Simple harmonic motion, and Quantum physics.

Assessment: Group project including design and creation of physical model

Interdisciplinary introduction to global issues from engineering science perspective. Topics include Neural networks, Micro controllers/robotics, Computer architecture, Algorithms, Astrotechnology, Climate change science and Industry 4.0 & Society 5.0.

Calculus and statistics required for foundation in engineering and physical science. Covers differentiation, integration, first-order ordinary differential equations, Probability, and Statistics.

Solving problems involving one variable (real or complex), differentiation and integration of simple functions, vector algebra and geometry, common probability distributions.

Solving problems involving more than one variable, matrices and eigenvalue problems, vector differential operators (gradient, divergence, curl), Gauss and Stokes theorems.

Good practices in the laboratory including notebook keeping, experimental setup, measurements, data analysis, graph plotting, and error estimations.

Skills in scientific laboratory including Mathematica algebra software, individually programmed physics experiments, and team investigation of open-ended computational problems.

Application of mathematical analysis techniques to solve problems in classical mechanics. Covers statics, dynamics and kinematics for linear and rigid bodies, force diagrams and conservation principles.

Electric and magnetic fields from static charges and constant currents, properties of capacitors and inductors, simple circuit analysis, complex numbers for damped harmonic oscillations, transverse and longitudinal waves.

Macroscopic properties of states of matter including ideal gases, internal energy, heat capacity, phase equilibrium, van der Waals equation, and other states including polymers, colloids, liquid crystals and plasmas.

Building blocks of fundamental physics including Einstein's special theory of relativity, quantum mechanics, wave-particle duality, Schrödinger equation, astrophysics, Big Bang theory.

Key principles of academic integrity in university assignments, covering plagiarism, collusion and commissioning, with reflective activities.

Mathematical representation of physical problems, ordinary and partial differential equations, separation of variables, Laplace's equation in various coordinates, Legendre polynomials, Bessel's equation, Sturm–Liouville theorem, Dirac delta function, Gamma function, and Fourier transforms.

Use of computers in modern science for data analysis and visualisation. Covers Python programming, numerical calculation, arrays and matrices, data visualisation, Monte Carlo methods, and solving linear equations.

Understanding of quantum mechanics in atomic, nuclear, particle and condensed matter physics. Covers wave nature of matter, probabilistic nature of microscopic phenomena, energy quantisation, quantum tunnelling, harmonic oscillator systems and hydrogen atoms.

Consolidation of core laboratory components creating a coherent, stand-alone course designed to build lab experience with specialist support.

Properties of light from Maxwell's equations, optical phenomena (refraction, diffraction, interference), modern applications (virtual reality, gravitational wave detection), masers and lasers, optical imaging and image processing.

Maxwell's equations and their consequences, electromagnetic spectrum, Einstein's special theory of relativity, light as electromagnetic phenomenon, paradigm for study of all forces in nature.

Thermal physics and elementary quantum mechanics, thermodynamic properties of ideal gas, Schrödinger's equation for particles in a box, negative temperature, superfluidity, superconductivity, entropy, black-body radiation.

Physical properties of solids including structure and symmetry, dislocation and plastic deformation, electrical characteristics of metals, alloys and semiconductors, x-ray diffraction, photon thermal properties, energy bands, Bloch theorem, and magnetism.

Skills preparation for final year project. Three assignments including advanced data analysis techniques and group project. Introduction to research activities and methods, report writing and oral presentations.

High point of three-year physics degree enabling use of scientific knowledge, abilities to plan and execute extended experimental or theoretical investigation, and communication skills to describe results.