MPhys (Hons) Theoretical Physics Integrated Master's degree at the University of Sheffield

This core module will give you an understanding of the fundamental physical principles, mathematical tools, and laboratory skills you'll use throughout your degree. You'll learn about key physical principles, such as Newton's laws, linear and rotational equations of motion, the wave equation, the laws of thermodynamics, and heat transfer. You'll also learn about the linear algebra and calculus that underpins these principles, covering differentiation and integration, complex numbers, matrices an

In this core module you'll further develop your knowledge of the fundamental physical principles, mathematical tools and laboratory skills needed for your degree. You'll explore topics across electricity, magnetism and quantum physics, such as electric potentials and fields, electrical circuits, magnetic fields, the Lorentz force, the photo-electric effect, and the quantum wave function. You'll also learn to describe these phenomena through vector calculus and probability theory. You'll gain han

This core module provides you with the foundational skills and techniques necessary for success as a physicist. You'll learn how to use self-study skills for independent learning, conduct and report on research projects ethically, and integrate AI responsibly. You'll learn how to import and analyse data in Python, and present these results professionally. You'll also develop your interpersonal and team-management abilities by working with your coursemates on a group project, such as analysing op

Mathematics is the language of science. By framing a scientific question in mathematical language, it is possible to gain deep insight into the empirical world. This module aims to give students an appreciation of this astonishing phenomenon. It will introduce them to the concept of mathematical modelling via examples from throughout science, which may include biology, physics, environmental sciences, and more. Along the way, a range of mathematical techniques will be learned that tend to appear

This module further develops the foundations of physics and mathematics that you need in your degree. You'll learn special relativity and thermal physics, as well as the mathematical foundations and applications of Fourier analysis and ordinary and partial differential equations. Through lab sessions, you'll refine your practical skills, learning how to conduct structured physics experiments. If you are on our Theoretical Physics programmes, you'll model physical systems with symbolic computer m

This module further develops the foundations of physics and mathematics that you need in your degree. You'll learn quantum mechanics and electromagnetism, and how to apply these in physical problems. You'll also be introduced to solids and subatomic physics. Through lab sessions, you'll refine your practical skills, learning how to conduct open-ended physics experiments. If you are on our Theoretical Physics programmes, you'll explore more advanced problems and techniques in theoretical physics,

Differential equations are perhaps the most important tool in applied mathematics. They are foundational for modelling all kinds of physical and natural phenomena, including fluids and plasmas, populations of animals or cells, cosmological objects (via relativity), subatomic particles (via quantum mechanics), epidemics, even political and social opinions have been modelled using differential equations. This module will build on the tools learned at Level 1 for analysing differential equations, e

This module further develops practical programming and data analysis using Python. You'll learn to select and apply suitable Python functions and libraries, develop efficient programming workflows, and perform statistical analysis on data sets of varying sizes. We'll focus on fitting complex models, interpreting results, and evaluating analytical reliability. You'll also gain experience assessing and integrating external Python code, and build the skills to adapt, reuse, and document code respon

Through this module you'll hone the skills and knowledge required of a graduate-level professional. You'll undertake extended project work, which will include relating project work to the literature, setting project aims and objectives, planning and carrying out the work, and reporting it using disciplinary conventions. You'll investigate how your academic studies relate to either research, society, or industry. You'll develop an understanding of where your degree could lead you and reflect on y

This module will provide a deep dive into the core mathematical tools that we use in physics. You'll learn how to set up a mathematical model of a physics problem using the variational principle and Lagrangian dynamics, and solve some of the resulting differential equations. You'll discover how linear finite and infinite dimensional spaces of functions and operators are used in physics, particularly in quantum mechanics but also in other areas of mathematical physics. You'll also explore how to

This module explores the foundation of particle atomic and particle physics. You'll learn about the Schrödinger equation for the hydrogen atom and the atomic wave functions that emerge from it. You'll then explore the atomic selection rules, spectral fine structure and the effects of external fields. You'll gain an understanding of selected multi-electron atoms and the concept of stimulated emission, which is central to the operation of lasers. You'll explore the fundamental interactions between

This module investigates how semiconductor physics is used in modern quantum photonics and quantum networks. You'll discover the principles underlying the operation of lasers and LEDs and learn about the creation of single and entangled photons. You'll then explore how these quantum states of light underpin quantum technologies for communication and quantum teleportation.

This module explores the experimental methods and equipment that have shaped our understanding of fundamental physics. You'll expand your understanding of the nucleus, nuclear reactions and radioactivity, with a particular focus on instrumentation and relevant modern practical applications of nuclear physics. This includes medical applications and nuclear fission and fusion. You'll discover the close connection between applied and fundamental research in experimental physics, and learn how basic

This module will develop your understanding of the Universe as its own entity, and focus on the evidence for and nature of Dark Matter. You'll learn about key epochs during the history of the Universe. You'll also explore how the contents of the Universe affect its dynamic evolution, and how precision observational cosmology has enabled us to constrain the main components of the Universe. One of the most important of these main components is Dark Matter, which we'll explore in detail. You'll enc

This module explores the behaviour of many-body systems in physics such as quantum gases, metals, and organic and inorganic semiconductors. You'll learn how their physical properties, like conductivity and magnetisation, depend on temperature and on their underlying structure. You'll discover how electrons and holes in semiconductors lead to material properties that are fundamental to modern electronics and computing. You'll also develop an understanding of how the arrow of time arises from entr