BSc (Hons) Mathematics with Theoretical Physics

• Study the foundation of modern theoretical physics in modules such as classical and quantum mechanics and electrodynamics and relativity.
• Carry out a project in theoretical physics on topics such as quantum computers, black holes, teleportation and the quark model, supported by a leading academic.
• Be inspired by a large group of theoretical physicists who have strong research connections across the globe including with CERN and the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. Two of our lecturers are Associate CERN staff members, another leads the Lattice QCD/BSM group at CERN, two are members of the UK’s Central Laser Facility user group and one is a theory consultant to the European Light Infrastructure project.
  
• Pure and applied mathematics, modules in probability and options in statistics: get to grips with the foundations of modern mathematics.
  
• Benefit from outstanding teaching: in the 2018 National Student Survey 99% of our final year students said that 'Staff are good at explaining things’.* This is part of a proud track record of success in the National Student Survey (NSS). We are top of the 2019 Guardian Mathematics League Table for satisfaction with the course.
  
• Leading research experts teach you: 68% of our research papers were classified as ‘World Leading’ or ‘Internationally Excellent’ in the latest UK government survey of research (REF 2014).
  
• Expand the ways you study with access to an extensive set of online support materials, including podcasts and eBooks.
  
• Become a confident, effective communicator, able to present your ideas visually, verbally and in writing. Small group tutorials help you acquire these skills. In the 2018 National Student Survey 99% of our final year students agreed that 'I have had the right opportunities to work with other students as part of my course’.
  
• We have an open door policy, a dedicated study space, the Maths Lab, clickers for immediate feedback in class, online podcasts – in short, we support you to reach your full potential.
  
• Learn high-level programming skills and master industry software including Matlab and R. 
• Increase your employability with a strongly-recommended paid industry placement between the second and final years. Typically students are paid around £17,000 and recent employers include GlaxoSmithKline, the Department of Communities and Local Government, VirginCare, Visteon and Jagex. 
• Progress, like our previous graduates, into careers in research, work in the Met Office, GCHQ, finance, industry and medicine or postgraduate degrees in applied mathematics and theoretical physics.
• Distinguish yourself professionally with a degree accredited by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications and recognised for membership by the Institute of Physics.

• Year 1

• Build strong mathematical foundations to support future investigations in theoretical physics. Topics include probability and randomness, which are key ideas in quantum theories, and tools such as group theory, which are used to describe fundamental symmetries in nature. Calculus and analysis plus linear algebra, essential for studying higher dimensional theories are also introduced along with an introduction to programming.
  

  Core modules

  • BPIE113 Stage 1 Mathematics Placement Preparation

    The route to graduate-level employment is found easier with experience. These sessions are designed to assist students in their search for a year-long placement and in their preparation for the placement itself. Such placements are optional but strongly recommended.

  • MATH1601 Mathematical Reasoning

    This module introduces the basic reasoning skills needed to develop and apply mathematical ideas. Clear logical thinking is central to the understanding of mathematics. The module explores fundamental properties of prime numbers, their random generation and use in modern cryptography.

  • MATH1602 Calculus and Analysis

    This module covers key topics in calculus and analysis and prepares students for the rest of their degree. It has an emphasis on proof and rigour and introduces some multi-dimensional calculus together with the reasoning skills needed for the development of modern mathematics. Analysis is the rigorous underpinning of calculus and these key ideas are developed and applied to limits of sequences, series and functions.

  • MATH1603 Linear Algebra and Complex Numbers

    This module explores the concepts and applications of vectors, matrices and complex numbers. The deep connection between algebra and geometry is explored. The techniques that are presented in this module are at the foundation of many areas of mathematics, statistics, physics, and several other applications.

  • MATH1605 Probability with Applications

    An understanding of uncertainty and random phenomena is becoming increasingly important nowadays in daily life and for a variety of fields. The aim of this module in probability is to develop the concept of chance in a mathematical framework. Random variables are also introduced, with examples involving most of the common distributions and the concepts of expectation and variance of a random variable.

  • MATH1610 Numerical and Computational Methods

    This module provides an introduction to appropriate mathematical software, computational mathematics and creating simple computer programs. Students will use mathematical software interactively and also write programs in an appropriate computer language. The elementary numerical methods which underlie industrial and scientific applications will be studied.

  Optional modules

  • MATH1611 Geometry and Group Theory

    This module will introduce the foundations of group theory, elementary geometric topology, and Euclidean geometry.

  • MATH1612 Big Data Analytics for Finance and Social Media

    Vast quantities of data are available from many sources including finance and social media. Students will gain experience of mathematical, statistical and computational tools to understand and report the messages underlying data from sources such as stock market trading and Facebook. They will meet a mathematical model for relative returns, Value at Risk, basic option pricing and high-performance computing techniques.

• Year 2

• Review the evidence for the existence of dark matter and describe Newtonian cosmology using vector calculus. Acquire the mathematical language of quantum mechanics by learning about real and complex analysis. A case studies module introduces the powerful Monte Carlo technique which lies at the heart of statistical mechanics and is used to extract precision results from the Standard Model of particle physics. 
  

  Core modules

  • BPIE213 Stage 2 Mathematics Placement Preparation

    These sessions are designed to help students obtain a year-long placement in the third year of their programme. Students are assisted both in their search for a placement and in their preparation for the placement itself.

  • MATH2601 Advanced Calculus

    In this module the geometrical and dynamical concepts needed to describe higher-dimensional objects are introduced. This includes vector calculus techniques and new forms of integration such as line integration. Students also explore the relations between integration and differentiation in higher dimensional hyperspaces. This knowledge is applied to various real world problems.

  • MATH2603 Ordinary Differential Equations

    The module aims to provide an introduction to different types of ordinary differential equations and the analytical and numerical methods needed to obtain their solutions. Extensive use is made of computational mathematics packages. Applications to mechanical and chemical systems are considered as well as the chaotic behaviour seen in climate models.

  • MATH2604 Mathematical Methods and Applications

    Vector calculus is extended to higher dimensions and applied to a range of important scientific problems primarily from classical mechanics and cosmology. Differential and integral calculus is applied to the solution of differential equations and the orthogonal functions bases are constructed. The crucial mathematical concepts of integral transforms (Fourier and Laplace) and Fourier series are introduced.

  • MATH2605 Operational Research and Monte Carlo Methods

    This module gives students the opportunity to work on open-ended case studies in operational research (OR) and Monte Carlo methods, both of which are important methods in, for example, industry and finance. It allows students to work on their own and in teams to develop specific skills in OR and programming as well as refining their presentation and communication skills. The skills in computational simulation developed in this module have many applications.

  • MATH2606 Real and Complex Analysis

    This module deepens the student’s understanding of real analysis and introduces complex analysis. The important distinction between real and complex analysis is explored and the utility of the complex framework is demonstrated. The central role of power series and their convergence properties are studied in depth. Applications include the evaluation of improper integrals and the construction of harmonic functions.

  • MATH2607 Mathematical Programming

    The module will introduce some common mathematical methods used in high performance computing (HPC). The students will write and run some numerical programs on a high performance computer.

• Year 3

• An optional, but highly recommended placement provides you with valuable paid professional experience to help make your CV stand out. Typically students are paid around £17,000 and employers have included the Fujitsu, GlaxoSmithKline, Liberty Living, Vauxhall Motors, VirginCare, Visteon and Jagex Games Studio.
  

  Core modules

  • BPIE331 Mathematics and Statistics Placement

    A 48-week period of professional training is spent as the third year of a sandwich programme while undertaking an approved placement with a suitable company. This provides an opportunity for the student to gain experience of how mathematics is used in a working environment, to consolidate their previous study and to prepare for the final year and employment after graduation. Recent placement providers include GSK, the Office for National Statistics, NATS (air traffic control) and VW Group.

• Final year

• In your final year the focus is on modern physics and you have a choice of modules. Topics include classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, electrodynamics and special relativity. The mathematical language of the core partial differential equations module is essential. You can conduct a final year theoretical physics project with a supervisor from our theoretical physics research group.  Projects have included general relativity and black holes, the gravitational super highway, quantum algorithms, quantum field theory and the quark model.

  
  

  Core modules

  • MATH3605 Partial Differential Equations

    This module introduces partial differential equations using real-life problems. It provides a variety of analytic and numerical methods for their solution. It includes a wide range of applications including heat diffusion and the Tsunami wave.

  • MATH3606 Classical and Quantum Mechanics

    All of physics and a large part of applied mathematics is based on classical mechanics and its extension to quantum theory. This module introduces key ideas of these topics to students with a mathematics background. An overarching theme is the key role of symmetry, both for classical motion and quantum behaviour.

  • MATH3611 Electrodynamics and Relativity

    This module introduces Maxwell's theory of electromagnetism and Einstein's theory of special relativity. It includes a wide range of applications of electromagnetism, the Lorentz transformations and some of the apparent paradoxes of relativity together with their resolution. It also explains why E = mc^2.

  Optional modules

  • MATH3603 Professional Experience in Mathematics Education

    This module provides an opportunity for final year students to gain experience in teaching and to develop their key educational skills by working in a school environment for one morning a week over two semesters.

  • MATH3609 Optimisation, Networks and Graphs

    This module introduces the mathematics of continuous and discrete optimisation. It provides the theoretical background and practical algorithmic techniques required to model and solve a diverse range of problems.

  • MATH3612 Dynamical Systems

    This module presents an introduction to the basic concepts and techniques needed to analyse nonlinear dynamical systems modelled by differential equations and difference equations. Both regular and chaotic dynamics are explored.

  • MATH3616 Professional Experience in Industry

    This module provides an opportunity for students to gain experience in applying mathematics in a commercial setting by undertaking a summer placement. Students develop their skills in written and verbal communication, listening, problem solving, time management, teamwork and leadership. Recent summer placement providers include Babcock International, BMW Group, Chess Dynamics Ltd and South West Water.

  • MATH3626 Theoretical Physics in Context

    In this module students will perform structured investigations on a variety of advanced topics in theoretical physics. Written and oral presentations of the work will be made.

  • MATH3628 Project

    Students who have identified a topic of particular interest have the opportunity to study it in a final year project. Students work individually and independently, with help and advice from a supervisor, on the chosen topic. The project is assessed through presentations and the preparation of a dissertation. This is a major piece of work and the project counts as two modules

  • MATH3629 Fluid Dynamics

    Fluid flow problems are at the heart of systems ranging from weather forecasting and climate models to hydroelectricity generation and aerodynamics. They are all formulated mathematically as systems of partial differential equations. These are then solved and the results interpreted for a mixture of theoretical and practical examples of both inviscid and viscous fluid flows. Applications studied include: aeronautics, ocean waves and a variety of industrial topics.

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

BSc Mathematics with Theoretical Physics programme specification 5359

UCAS tariff

120 - 128

Other qualifications are also welcome and will be considered individually, as will be individuals returning to education, email maths@plymouth.ac.uk.

Students may also apply for the BSc (Hons) Mathematics with Foundation Year. Successful completion of the foundation year guarantees automatic progression to the first year of any of our mathematics courses.

For a full list of all acceptable qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.

English language requirements