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

Develop an understanding of how to solve problems involving one variable (either real or complex) and differentiate and integrate simple functions. Learn vector algebra and geometry and common probability distributions.

Develop an understanding of how to solve problems involving more than one variable. Learn to use matrices and solve eigenvalue problems, and manipulate vector differential operators, including gradient, divergence and curl.

Develop an understanding of good practices in the laboratory. Keep a notebook, set up an experiment from a script, carry out and record measurements. Learn how to analyse data and plot graphs using a computer package, and present results and conclusions including error estimations.

Develop a range of skills in the scientific laboratory. Learn how to use the Mathematica algebra software package to solve simple problems and carry out individually programmed physics experiments. Work as part of a team to investigate an open-ended computational problem.

Develop an understanding of how to apply the techniques and formulae of mathematical analysis to solve problems in classical mechanics. Look at statics, dynamics and kinematics as applied to linear and rigid bodies. Examine techniques of physical analysis such as force diagrams and conservation principles.

Develop an understanding of how electric and magnetic fields are generated from static charges and constant currents flowing through wires. Derive properties of capacitors and inductors from first principles. Learn to analyse simple circuits. Use complex numbers to describe damped harmonic oscillations, and the motion of transverse and longitudinal waves.

Develop an understanding of the macroscopic properties of the various states of matter. Examine gases, liquids, solids, and the transitions between these states, considering phase equilibrium, the van der Waals equation and the liquefaction of gases. Examine other states of matter, including polymers, colloids, liquid crystals and plasmas.

Develop an understanding of the building blocks of fundamental physics. Look at Einstein's special theory of relativity, the basics of quantum mechanics including wave-particle duality and the Schrödinger equation. Examine concepts in astrophysics such as the Big Bang theory.

Describe the key principles of academic integrity, focusing on university assignments. Plagiarism, collusion and commissioning will be described as activities that undermine academic integrity. Activities with feedback provide opportunities to reflect and develop understanding of academic integrity principles.

Develop an understanding of the mathematical representation of physical problems, and the physical interpretation of mathematical equations. Study ordinary and partial differential equations. Learn to solve partial differential equations using the separation of variables method, and solve Laplace's equation in Cartesian, polar and spherical coordinates.

Develop an understanding of how computers are used in modern science for data analysis and visualisation. Introduction to the intuitive programming language Python. Examine the usage of arrays and matrices, how to plot and visualise data, how to evaluate simple and complex expressions, how to sample using the Monte Carlo methods, and how to solve linear equations.

Develop an understanding of quantum mechanics and its role in atomic, nuclear, particle and condensed matter physics. Look at the wave nature of matter and the probabilistic nature of microscopic phenomena. Learn to use the key equation of quantum mechanics to describe fundamental phenomena such as energy quantisation and quantum tunnelling.

Consolidate the core laboratory components from other modules to create a coherent, stand-alone course designed to build lab experience with more specialist support, enabling better engagement with course material.

Develop an understanding of the properties of light, starting from Maxwell's equations. Look at optical phenomena such as refraction, diffraction and interference, and how they are exploited in modern applications, from virtual reality headsets to the detection of gravitational waves. Examine masers and lasers.

Develop an understanding of how James Clerk Maxwell unified all known electrical and magnetic effects with four equations. Examine these equations and their consequences. Consider how electromagnetism provides the paradigm for the study of all other forces in nature.

Develop an understanding of thermal physics and elementary quantum mechanics. Look at the thermodynamic properties of an ideal gas, examining the solutions of Schrödinger's equation for particles in a box, and phenomena such as negative temperature, superfluidity and superconductivity.

Develop an understanding of the physical properties of solids. Look at their structure and symmetry, concepts of dislocation and plastic deformation, and the electrical characteristics of metals, alloys and semiconductors. Examine quantum theory of solids, including energy bands and the Bloch theorem.

Builds on skills developed in the second year to prepare for the final year project and beyond. Plan and carry out three assignments. Through the mini-project, introduction to some of the research activities within the Department. Opportunities to practise important skills such as report writing and giving oral presentations.

Provide the high point of the three-year physics degree, enabling you to use your scientific knowledge, your abilities to plan and execute an extended experimental or theoretical investigation, and use all your communication skills to describe the results of your project. May be in physics, electronics or astrophysics, and may be experimental or theoretical in emphasis.

Give students an overall view of the generation, transmission, storage and usage of energy (conventional and renewables). Examines the relationship between energy production, politics, economics and environmental pollution, particularly as regards to global warming.

Introduces mathematical areas of complex analysis, matrix theory and linear transformations, and group theory. Enables application of related advanced mathematical formalisms and methods to formulate and solve physics problems. Cover holomorphic functions, Cauchy's theorem, Laurent series, matrix theory, unitary diagonalisation, and group theory.

Introduces advanced topics and methods in classical physics (including mechanics, electromagnetism and relativity). Cover the Calculus of Variations including the Euler-Lagrange equation, Lagrangian mechanics, Hamiltonian mechanics, and relativistic physics covering the principle of relativity and relativistic formalism.

Introduces the fundamentals of the analysis of non-linear dynamical systems and investigates whether the behaviour of a non-linear system can be predicted from the corresponding linear system. Cover systems of first-order linear differential equations and similarity types for matrices.