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Theoretical Physics  (PPC2)

BSc (NFQ Level 8) · Academic Year 2025/2026
School
School of Physics
Attendance
Full Time
Level
Undergraduate
NFQ Level
8
Award
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Programme Director
Assoc Professor Patrick Orr
Overall Programme Credits:
240
Programme Credits:
N/A
Major/Minor Core & Option Credits:
Stage 2: 0

Curricular information is subject to change.

Students’ performance will be reviewed at the end of the academic year. Students who fail 50% or more of their registered modules, and who fail to progress to the next stage of their programme, will be identified under the UCD Continuation – Academic progress policy. Students’ performance will continue to be reviewed in subsequent trimesters and students will be invited to meetings with the College of Science office for support and guidance.

Where the rate of progression and performance over two academic years is deemed unacceptable, a case will be submitted to the Governing Board for review. A recommendation for discontinuation may be the outcome of this review.

As Stages 3 and 4 have the most dynamic components of the programme, and the material studied previously may no longer be relevant, a student who has been away from the programme for a significant period should be required to register again to Stage 3. The upper limit for completion of Stages 3 and 4 should be six years if they choose to do 120 credits with 20 in each year.

Stage 2

Students take at least 8 core modules. Students must select 50 credits of programme modules in Stage 2 plus, either 10 credits from elective modules or additional credits from the BSc programme.

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 2 Core Modules
 ACM20030 Computational Science Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 MATH20060 Calculus of Several Variables Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 PHYC20020 Introductory Quantum Mechanics Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 ACM20050 Dynamics of Classical Systems Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 ACM20060 Oscillations and Waves Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 ACM20150 Vector Integral & Differential Calculus Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 PHYC20060 Methods for Physicists Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 PHYC20090 Electronics and Devices Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
If not previously taken in Stage 1, students enrolled to Stage 2 Theoretical Physics must take PHYC 20080 in Stage 2.
PHYC20080 Fields, Waves and Light Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - B)1 of:
If not taken in Stage 1, students must take PHYC10250 in Stage 2. Students who completed PHYC10250 in Stage 1 must take PHYC20100 in Stage 2.
PHYC10250 Thermal Physics and Materials Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - B)1 of:
If not taken in Stage 1, students must take PHYC10250 in Stage 2. Students who completed PHYC10250 in Stage 1 must take PHYC20100 in Stage 2.
PHYC20100 Thermo & Stat Physics Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 0 of:
Students must select 50 credits from programme modules (cores and options). Students may also select 10 credits from elective modules. Alternatively, additional Option modules may be selected from the list below but students are not restricted to this list.
 MATH20300 Linear Algebra 2 for the Mathematical Sciences Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 0 of:
Students must select 50 credits from programme modules (cores and options). Students may also select 10 credits from elective modules. Alternatively, additional Option modules may be selected from the list below but students are not restricted to this list.
 PHYC10050 Astronomy & Space Science Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 0 of:
Students must select 50 credits from programme modules (cores and options). Students may also select 10 credits from elective modules. Alternatively, additional Option modules may be selected from the list below but students are not restricted to this list.
 PHYC10210 Quanta, Particles & Relativity Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 0 of:
Students must select 50 credits from programme modules (cores and options). Students may also select 10 credits from elective modules. Alternatively, additional Option modules may be selected from the list below but students are not restricted to this list.
 PHYC10270 Introduction to Biophysics Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 0 of:
Students must select 50 credits from programme modules (cores and options). Students may also select 10 credits from elective modules. Alternatively, additional Option modules may be selected from the list below but students are not restricted to this list.
 STAT20110 Introduction to Probability Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 0 of:
Students must select 50 credits from programme modules (cores and options). Students may also select 10 credits from elective modules. Alternatively, additional Option modules may be selected from the list below but students are not restricted to this list.
 MATH10320 Mathematical Analysis Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 0 of:
Students must select 50 credits from programme modules (cores and options). Students may also select 10 credits from elective modules. Alternatively, additional Option modules may be selected from the list below but students are not restricted to this list.
 MATH20310 Groups, Rings and Fields Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 0 of:
Students must select 50 credits from programme modules (cores and options). Students may also select 10 credits from elective modules. Alternatively, additional Option modules may be selected from the list below but students are not restricted to this list.
 PHYC20040 Exploring the Solar System Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 0 of:
Students must select 50 credits from programme modules (cores and options). Students may also select 10 credits from elective modules. Alternatively, additional Option modules may be selected from the list below but students are not restricted to this list.
 STAT10060 Statistical Modelling Spring  5

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